(Bloomington, IN: Indiana U P, 1981); and the U.S. Army’s official histories of World War Two, published as the series The United States Army in World War Two. [44], Having overcome the German resistance, the Task Force resumed its advance and continued eastward. CCA 9th Armored Division had been halted just west of Karlovy Vary. The narrow road and rugged terrain greatly aided the German defenders. These historical reports are now kept at the U.S. Army Military History Institute and the National Archives. By March, American troops closed on the Rhine River. Paris, France:  December 1945.  pp. The Division crossed and started the great drive into the heart of Germany. Combat Command A fought on the southern shoulder of the Bulge. Frank M. Hendricks spotted a German motorcyclist and a truck load of soldiers. [Hereafter the Archives is cited as USAMHI Archives. The 1st Platoon, Co “B” was attached to CCR to act as road guides and MP's for the combat command. Meanwhile the 11th Armored Division continued its drive in Austria. D Company contained the battalion’s light tanks. 2-3.;  Crucq, p. 381.; Chapter Nine of Phantom Nine. Then on 7 March 1945, a task force of the 9th Armored Division captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen on the Rhine River – the last great geographical barrier blocking the Allies from pouring across Germany. With little choice, Osterkamp accepted Taylor’s precise terms and surrendered his corps again. Radio reports indicated that the German Army was in shambles and only SS fanatics were continuing to resist in Czechoslovakia. The 7th Army was responsible for defending the German – Czechoslovak Border. No. Operations Planning Section. He then turned off his radios. Outgoing Message File. Immediately we took him to a hospital in the town, which we discovered as we drove up was still in German hands. “Light” Armored Divisions were further bolstered by permanently assigned tank destroyer and self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery battalions and other support units as needed. General Eisenhower, however, did not want to hazard American lives for post-war political purposes and did not want to offend the Soviets. The Camp was founded when the Nazi Party first came into power in 1933 and has been in continuous operation ever since, although its largest populations date from the beginning of the present war. FWD-21001).” RG407, NARA. [21], Lt. Col. Engeman’s 14th Tank Battalion had three companies of M4A3 Sherman medium tanks and a company of M24 light tanks. Third U.S. Army forces in western Czechoslovakia had some time to celebrate with the newly liberated Czech people but disarming and accepting the surrender of the remaining German forces took precedence. Lt. Gen. Fritz Benicke surrendered his division to the 60th Armored Infantry Battalion that afternoon. 1st Infantry Division. He was taken to Plzen for interrogation. Message from Eisenhower to Bradley - Ref No. Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Troops of the US 9th Armored Division capture the Ludendorff Railroad Bridge at Remagen, between Koblenz and Bonn, Germany. “When the orders were given to go, it meant don’t stop for anything or anybody; we could not even assist the wounded. My grandfather had been a POW at Oflag VIB in Doessel, Germany for 5 and 1/2 years. To do so, General von Obstfelder had the severely depleted 2nd Panzer Division, Wehrkreis XIII (training and replacement command absorbed into the 7th Army), an engineer brigade, an Officer Candidate School, the 12th Corps, and the 11th Panzer Division. 424-6; [25] Dyer, pp. Record Group (RG) 407. [17] U.S. Army. Colonel. 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