Study MS No. B-765
The following notes and report were obtained from Wolfe Zoepf
(12th Reg., 6th Mountain Division, Nord SS)
and found in Orville Ellis's files. These papers were originally
received by Tom Higley. These notes were used in the research for
the Division history book. It is copied word for word from the
original document dated January 1948.
Chain of Command
|| Phillippsbourg ||
Dambach ||
Baerenthal
Notes from Wolfe Zoepf
The following monographs are based on excerpts from best
and most detailed source available to me, namely a study
made by Lt. Col. Kurt Reschke, Chief of Staff, LXXXIX (Rom 89th)
Corps, in command of German divisions in areas concerned until 13
Jan 1945. Study was made in January 1948 for Office of the Chief
Historian, Hqs. EUCOM.
NOTE: Although most information given by Reschke is
corroborated by other sources, a few calendar dates given by him are
proved to be wrong! (Understandable, as Study was written in 1948
without aid of written sources, such as reports by Corps elements
etc.)
LINE OF COMMAND:
Supreme Command West: Gen. FieldMarshall v.
Rundstedt
Army Group G: Col. General v. Blaskowitz
1st Army: General Hans v. Obstfelder
LXXXIX (Rom 89th) Corps: General Hohne
(starting 13 Jan 1945
XC (Rom 90th) Corps: General Petersen)
The following divisions belonged to LXXXIX Corps (at least
part of the period 01 thru 12 Jan 1945):
361st Volks-Grenadier Division (VGD)
MajorGeneral Phillipi
with: Grenadier Regiment 951 (GR)
GR 952
GR 953 (all with 2 bns each)
256th Volks-Grenadier-Division
MajorGeneral Franz
with: Grenadier Regt. 456 (GR)
GR 476
GR 481 (all with 2 bns each)
starting 07 Jan 45:
36th Volks-Grenadier-Division
MajorGeneral Wilms
with: Grenadier Regt. 87 (GR)
GR 118 (all with 2 Bns each)
starting 09 Jan 45:
6th SS Mountain Division Nord
Lt. General Brenner
with: Mtn. Regt 11
Mtn. Regt 12 (3 bns. each)
(As advance elements of this division, Task Force
Schreiber was employed already starting 01 Jan 45 under the command
of the 361st VGD, consisting of: 2 Bns Mtn Regt 12, plus
PzGrenBn 506)
SOURCE: Excerpts, translated from:
"Study MS No.B-765" by Kurt RESCHKE, Lt.Col.
Chief of Staff,
LXXXIX (Rom. 89th) Army Corps
(dtd. 17 Jan 1948)
Period: 01 thru 12 Jan 1945
P H I L L I P S B 0
U R G (and vicinity)
Phillipsbourg (PH) was first main objective of 476th
Grenadier Regt. (GR 476), of the 236th Volks-Grenadier-Division
(256 VGD)
01 Jan 1945 - LIESCHBACH was taken in the
afternoon. Reconnaissance found MAMBACH and PH occupied by strong
US forces, whereupon regimental cdr. postponed attack until 02
Jan.
02 Jan - GR 476 employed one Bn in the valley
against MAMBACH and PH;
the second Bn to attack pH from N over the mountains of
FALKENSTEIN and MUCKENKOPP.
Due to "poor leadership and equally poor communications"
(radio connections failed), no cooperation between both Bns could
be achieved. First Bn was repelled by enemy forces in MAMBACH,
topped W thereof. Second Bn could not be located before nightfall.
03 Jan - GR 476 took MAMBACH and PH with support
of divisional self-prop. assault gun group, cleared both villages
in heavy house to house combat, blocking roads leading E and SE.
Enemy counterthrust was repelled. 10 trucks, 2 Sherman tanks and
many jeeps, captured, all in usable condition.
Enemy belongs to 70th US Division, recognized here for
the first time (interrogation of prisoners).
04 Jan - 256th VGD regrouped: MAMBACH and PH: now
GR 456 plus self-prop. assault gun group.
(GR 476: goes to BAFRENTHAL and line along road from
BARENTHAL to PH.).
Heavy enemy attack (tank supported) reached cross road
between PH and MAMBACH, but could be repulsed. Enemy forces and
strongholds in forest between PH and NEUHOFFEN had to be forced
out by last reserves of GR 456 to open supply route from N to PH.
New enemy attack on PH proves that enemy is not content
with loss of PH. Further actions on PH is to be expected.
05 Jan - GR 456 has to repulse several enemy
attacks on PH, continues to clear woods N of PH, hereby taking
enemy stronghold at FALKENSTEIN Ch'au R'ne (2 km N of PH) with 220
prisoners and their weapons captured.
06 Jan - Enemy attacks on PH have lessened.
07 Jan - Quiet day.
08 Jan - Preparation for replacement of GR 456 in
MAMBACH and PH by elements of 36th VGD (GR 118 ?), which
took place during night 08/09 Jan.
09 Jan - Regiment of 36th VGD runs reconnaissance
in preparation of attack in S direction via LINDENKOPF on
DUNKELTRAL and LEITZELTHAL (1.5 km
SSE of PH).
10 Jan - Attack by elements of 36th VGD reached
E-parts of LINDENKOPF, but is stopped there.
11 Jan - Quiet day.
12 Jan - 36th VGD takes also responsibility over
BAERENTHAL.
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SOURCE: Excerpts, translated from:
"Study MS No. B-765" by Kurt RESCHKE, Lt.Col.
Chief of Staff,
LXXXIX (Rom. 89th) Army Corps
(dated 17 Jan 1948)
Period: 01 thru 07 Jan 1945
D A M B A C H (and
vicinity)
Dambach was first major objective of 456 Grenadier Regt. (GR
456), of the 256th Volks-Grenadier-Division (256 VGD),
attacking Dambach from NW.
01 Jan 1945 GR 456 took NEUHOFFEN (small enemy
detachment), but on way to DAMBACH (DA) encountered heavy
resistance, so that attack was stopped. GR 456 had to repulse
during all day a multitude of strong enemy attacks (assisted by
heavy artillery fire) so that it was not able to regroup and
recommence their own attack.
02 Jan GR 456 had heavy losses due to strong
artillery fire, and had to repulse repeated attacks during the
day; no chance to continue own attack.
03 Jan same as 02 Jan!
04 Jan 256th VGD is being regrouped as follows:
GR 456 takes responsibility over PHILIPPSBOURG and MAMBACH,
whereas GR 481 of same 256th VGD employs his 2 Bns as
follows:
one Bn: S of NEUHOFFEN and on mountains N of DAMBACH;
second Bn: in advance towards WINNECKERTHAL.
GR 481 succeeds in taking DAMBACH by pincer attack
from N, NW and NE; it also reaches the SCHWARZBACK creek at
WINNECKERTHAL.
05 Jan GR 481 placed stronger detachment on
mountain directly N of WINDSTEIN (=BODENBERG).
06 Jan 256th VGD is ordered to hold present
positions, and block roads leading to ZINSWILLER, NIEDERBRONN and
WINDSTEIN.
07 Jan Quiet day at positions of 256th VGD. GR
481 prepared for replacement by elements of 36th VGD, which took
place during night 7/08 Jan. (GR 481 went to BAERENTHAL).
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Baerenthal excerpt. First
Page missing in document unless above entry is first page. Page
numbering was confusing.
05 Jan During the day, the BAE-Bn of GR 952 reached
the mountain exit near ZINSWILLER. It reported by radio vivid enemy
traffic on roads parallel to and into the mountains. Since this Bn
is too weak to block the roads, this action is of no positive
consequences for the overall situation of the Corps.
To guard BAE, a Luftwaffe-Feld Bn (=Infantry Bn of the
Airforce), attached to GR 476, was employed. GR 476 reported
increasing enemy forces occupying forest SE and E of BAE, as well
as vivid traffic between UNTERMUHLTHAL and OBERMUHLTHAL in both
directions.
Corps believes that enemy is planning to cut off own
advanced forces at WINGEN, WIMMENAU and REIPERTSWILLER.
06 Jan Reconnaissance by GR 476 found continues
enemy held positions between OBERMUHLTRAL and forest SE of BAE,
including GRASBERG and forest N thereof.
lst Army approved recommendation by Corps, to pull back
BAE-BN from ZINSWILLER.
07 Jan BAE-BN from ZINSWILLER returned during night
07/08 Jan to his division, with so heavy losses due to exposure and
failing food supply that it can't be reemployed in the near future.
GR 476 reported steady increase of enemy forces in area
E and SE of BAE.
GR 481 of 256th VGD (relieved by 36th VGD
elements at DAMBACH), marched to BAE and assembled S there of for
an attack on ZINSWILLER.
09 Jan Order of offensive on ZINSWILLER by 256th
VGD on Jan 10, as requested by 1st Army:
GR 481 to assemble 2 km S of BAE, to advance via
OBERMUHLTHAL to UNTERMUELTHAL, and there to block ZINTZEL valley
road in both directions (N and S).
GR 456 to assemble 1.5k NE of BAE, to advance via
GRASBERG and SPURTHAL to ZINZEL valley (N of UNTERMUHLTHAL).
GR 476 to advance along valley S of BAE with weak
forces first to contain enemy in front, later (= after pincer
movement of both other regiments had success) to advance in full
force with support of self-prop. assault gun group along ZINTZEL
valley road.
It was hoped that once enemy resistance around BAE was
broken, and UNTERMUHLTHAL reached, mountain exit near ZINSWILLER
could be reached in one continues run.
30 light and 26 heavy batteries were to provide
artillery support, sufficient as long as they were able to find
main enemy strong holds in this difficult terrain with their fire.
Corps evaluated the chances of the attack rather
negatively in the light of steadily increasing enemy forces around
BAE, and the low combat strength and morale of the 256th VGD.
Corps therefor recommended to lst Army the employment of
the 6th SS-Mountain Division "Nord" (6 Mtn Div) - instead
of 256th VGD -, which was much more capable of the task. lst Army
turned the recommendation down by reason of loss of time.
10 Jan 256th VGD started attack after heavy
artillery preparation.
GR 481 encountered heavy enemy resistance at
SCHWARZENBERG which could not be broken. Due to wooded mountain
terrain, artillery support was extremely difficult. GR 481 was
attacked on both of its flanks, so that it was forced to take
defensive positions.
GR 456 and right wing of 36th VGD elements
succeeded in taking LINDENKOPF, but their further attack was
stopped short of GRASBERG.
That was the end of the 256th VGD offensive. Corps
expected the enemy to advance from S and E of BAE in NW direction,
which would bring own elements S and SW of BAE into a very
critical situation.
Corps has no reserves left to be employed; it therefor
proposed to lst Army to go over into defense position at a shorter
MLR. lst Army approved the taking of defense positions, but turned
down the idea of a shortened MLR: present positions are to be
held.
11 Jan GR 481 of 256th VGD has a row of critical
situations on its right flank, fighting for Elevation 364 (= 1.5 km
W of OBERMUHLBACH), succeeding to recapture it only at nightfall.
12 Jan Again heavy battles for El. 364 where
possesion changed repeatedly during the day before GR 481 could
retake it in the evening.
Left regiment of 256th VGD (= GR 456) is replaced by
elements of 36th VGD, which extends now till BAE.
lst Army - to the surprise of Corps - requests an
exchange between 256th VGD and 6th Mtn Div. "Nord" (as proposed by
Corps on 09 Jan!) to free the latter division for offensive action
against ZINSWILLER.
13 Jan Enemy attacks S of BAE have lessened, own
positions could be held.
Change of command: General Command of LXXXIX (Rom 89th)
Corps is relieved by XC (Rom 90th) Corps.
SOURCE: Excerpts, translated from: "Kampf unter dem
Nordlicht", History of the 6th SS Mountain Division "Nord" by
Franz SCHREIBER, Col. Commander, 12th Mountain Regiment 1969 - pg.
323
12/13 Jan 1945 Under the new command of XC (Rom 90th)
Corps, 6th Mtn Division "Nord" is assembled W and NW of BAERENTHAL
for offensive action against ZINSWILLER.
SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Bn 506 (of 6th Mtn Div 'Nord")
was alarmed on 12 Jan to take over positions of (256th) VGD at
SCHWARZENBERG (= 2 km S of BAE). At 1000 hrs, the attack of a
company-strength enemy patrol could be blocked off. On same
afternoon a tank-supported enemy attack turned back, could be
repulsed.
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