This is the second of
four Unit Reports that detail the 274th's role in at Wingen. The
original report is on file in the National Archives. Overlays were
not sent. Any errors in spelling have been retained.
CORRECTED COPY - DESTROY ALL OTHERS
UNIT REPORT
No. 8
From: 1800, 4 January 1945
To: 5 January 1945
Unit: TF Fox
Date: 5 January 1945
Place: Weiterswiller, France
Maps: Eastern France, 1/50,000
1.Enemy.
a. Units in contact: See overlay
b. Enemy reserves that can affect our
situation. See overlay.
c. Enemy action in
Fox White sector limited to holding action in town of Wingen.
Enemy force believed to be small, about 100 or less of SS Mtn.
Troops (12th Bn).
Enemy action in Fox
Blue sector confined to patrol action by Co "L", north of Rothbach.
Eleven (11) prisoners were taken by Co "L", one was walking
wounded. These prisoners were evacuated through 313th
Inf at Rothbach. White Bn found woods at (82.6 - 33.4)*
booby trapped with concussion grenades. Red Bn attached to 275th
Inf. (Co-ordinates hard to read, webmaster)
d. Enemy strength in front of our
immediate sector is believed to be elements of the 12th
SS Mtn Div* , which is under strength. Units in front of Fox
Blue are VSG units of undetermined strength. The enemy has some
arty and SP Guns which could be used against a deep penetration.
The enemy is in possession of a small quantity of our vehicles and
other equipment which could be infiltrated through our lines to
harass rear installations. The enemy may have some knowledge of
our situation and may have identified some of our unit through the
capture of prisoners or search of bodies. The enemy morale
generally seems to be good. (Actually 6th SS Mtn Div -
webmaster)
e. The enemy is capable of a strong
defense along the entire front due to mountainous terrain. The
enemy is capable of attacks against limited objectives by
infiltrating small parties of heavily armed infantrymen into our
positions or into towns not completely under our control. The
enemy is capable of a coordinated attack by a strong force against
a limited objective. The first and second are probable and could
be employed within a matter of an hour or two. The third would
take at least a day to organize and should be detected before it
becomes any real threat.
2. OWN SITUATION
c. See overlay.
b. See overlay
c. See overlay
d. Third Battalion: Occupied and
prepared for defense of Rothbach. Patrols to left contacted 2d
Battalion 276th Inf. At 1200 1 platoon Co I with
section LMG dispatched to assist I & R Platoon, 45th
Division against attack of 30 Germans. Attack dispersed, 11
Germans, 2 MGís captured. 2d Battalion: Maintained defensive
position along line Volksberg-Rosteig. Co. g in contact with enemy
from woods immediately west of Wingen.
e. Excellent.
f. Maintained defense line
Volksberg-Rosteig, one company assist 276th Inf in
operations against Wingen, occupied and prepared defenses of
Rothback
3. ADMINISTRATIVE
a. Strength: T/O less basics and two
(2) EM KIA. Replacements needed: 275 Replacements needed to bring
up to full T/O strenght. (less First Bn).
b. Casualties: two (2) EM – KIA
Eighteen (18) EM LWA
c. Prisoners captured: Eleven (11)
See par 1 c, (evacuated thru 313th Inf)
d. Evacuation: Normal.
e. No Change.
f. Status of Supply
(1) Rations on hand:
One days 10 in 1,
1/3 days C or K,
Two days B
(2) Ammunition on hand:
1 1/2 units of fire.
The following are critical items:
60mm Mortar
Rockets
MG (Belted) Col.30
81mm Mortar HE
Grenades, hand, frag.
(3) Gasoline and Oil: 1/4 days supply
g. Roads clear of mines: No change.
GENERAL. No comment
S.G. Conley
Col, Inf
Comdg
3 Incls previously submitted, no
change.
