On the first of April the 275th Infantry
Regiment moved to the Mainz area. A new Command Post was established
at Gau Algesheim, with the Battalions and Companies spread
throughout the sector so that each had it’s own particular section
to supervise. First Battalion Command Post was located at Ober
Hilbersheim, with "A" Company at Aspisheim, "B" Company at
Saarbrueken, "C" Company at Nieder Hilbersheim and "D" Company at
Ober Hilbersheim. The Second Battalion established headquarters at
Sprendlingen, with "E" Company at Hochenheim, "F" Company at Pfaffer
Schwabelheim, "G" Company at Gau Bickelheim, and "H" Company at
Sprendlingen. The Third Battalion set up it’s Command Post at
Worsheim with "I" Company at Furfeld, "K" Company at Niederhauser,
"L" Company at Winterborn, and "M" Company at Wendelsheim. Anti-tank
Company was located at Partenheim, Cannon Company at [?]uggenheim.
Service Company and all classes of supply points were located at
Appenheim.
The policing of the region and further training of the
troops were the main activities of the Regiment during this period.
All important installations such as Government buildings, bridges,
lines of communication, ASP’s, etc., were under constant guard. The
German population was screened very carefully to weed out German
Army deserters, Nazi Party enthusiasts and all those whose actions
aroused suspicions. Motorized patrols covered highways and a special
River Patrol was instituted to watch the Rhine river for enemy
activity of any nature and to investigate floating objects that
appeared suspicious. The training program embraced all types of
military training. All men who were not actually on duty took part
in this program. The Regimental Commander maintained a daily salvage
detail which gathered much enemy equipment and material.
On the third of April the Regimental boundry was enlarged
to include that part of the city of Bingen which lies east of the
Nahe River. The Second Battalion was alerted to move to Wiesbaden to
police that city. On the fourth, the Second Battalion took over it’s
new area, and the city of Bad Munster was added to the regimental
sector.
Two men of the 275th Infantry Regiment were
designated as the official representatives of the 70th
Division at the flag raising ceremony held at Koblenz, Germany, on
Army Day, April 6th. This honor was bestowed on 1st
Lt. Walter Snelling of Company "G" and on Sgt. John Rankin of "L"
Company by Major General Barnett, Division Commander, because of
their outstanding performance in battle. Both men had been awarded
the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the Division’s drive
south of Saarbruecken.
On the seventh of April the third Battalion, minus "K" and
"H" Companies, moved to Koblenz to assist in the policing of that
city. "K" Company was sent to Saarbruecken to relieve "B" Company;
"B" Company was moved to Sprendlingen and "M" Company was attached
to the first Battalion. On the ninth "A" Company opened a new
Command Post at Bingen. The Regiment was alerted for a new move,
this time for Frankfurt am Main. The next day other units took over
the guard positions of our Regiment and we prepared to take over the
new area.
11 April, 1945, Regimental Headquarters and attached
units, together with the 1st Battalion, moved to
Frankfurt to assume the policing and guarding of the city. Military
law was enforced, the screening of civilians and displaced persons
was continued. Guards were posted at all vital places, road
intersections, bridges, railroads, public utilities, military
government installations, Third Army rear Command Post, buildings
designated for SHAEF, and many other important locations. Motorized
patrols were sent out to maintain order. All reports of subversive
activities or violations of laws were quickly investigated. "L"
Company was moved from Kolblenz to the villages north of Frankfurt
to guard the hospital installations in these towns.
On the 14th of the month, Third Battalion
Headquarters Company and "I" Company moved to Frankfurt from Koblenz.
On the 17th "K" Company moved into the city from
Saarbruecken and Second Battalion closed in from Wiesbaden. Once
again all units of the Regiment were together. Oberursel and
Offenbach were added to the Regimental sector. The Second Battalion
was given the region south of the Main River at it’s sector. That
part of the city north of the river was divided into two districts,
the west half (Map: Town Plan of Frankfurt, sheets 1 and 2, scale
1/18,000, coordinates 9-20) was given to the Third Battalion; the
east half (coordinates 20-31) was to be the First Battalion sector.
On the 19th, "L" Company was relieved of all posts except
those in the city of Bad Homberg, so they were assigned additional
guard posts in the city of Oberursel, while "G" Company was to
police the city of Offenbach.
The Regiment remained at Frankfurt the rest of the month.
Each unit was responsible for the proper security of it’s zone and
the sector was quiet throughout the month. 796 prisoners of war were
taken, and, since the Regiment was off the line, there were no
casualties due to enemy action.
The Regiment handled many displaced persons during this
period. These were the people who were brought into Germany from
subjugated countries to work in the factories and in labor
battalions. They received much abuse and mistreatment from the
Germans and this often made them difficult to handle after their
liberation. There was constant friction between these people and the
German civilians so that it was necessary to keep them in special
camps. However, they were well cared for and band programs and other
types of entertainment were provided. As soon as transportation
could be arranged, they were returned to their native land.
Though the Regiment was not in direct contact with the
enemy, it was, none the less, very busy with it’s training and
policing program. The training program was designed to increase the
combat effeciency of the troops should they be called back to action
and to instill in each soldier complete confidence in himself, his
companions, his officers, and his weapons. The function, care, and
tactical employment of all weapons was stressed. The policing
activities were many and varied. It was necessary to screen
carefully all civilians in order to weed out German Army deserters
and those who closely associated with the Nazi Party. It was often
necessary to search homes for weapons and other forbidden property.
A great number of displaced personnel were found and had to be cared
for. Many allied prisoners of war were found, some in poor physical
condition. It was necessary to guard all vital installations against
possible sabotage by enemy sympathizers. Numerous reports were
brought in of enemy soldiers in hiding, or of civilians or displaced
personnel looting or rioting. All these reports were investigated
promptly and immediate action taken. There were numerous buildings
and installations to guard, and constant street and road patrols to
be maintained in order that discipline and order be enforced.
Extreme care had to be exercised at all times, for any relaxing of
vigilance might give the enemy to do material damage.
Enemy activity during this period was limited to
counter-intelligence measures and nuisance raids. Every move of the
Americans was observed observed and there was no positive way to
determine who might relay the information on to higher German
headquarters. Actual acts of sabotage were not serious. Occasionally
telephone lines were cut but for the most part, the people were
quite and cooperative. However, to insure against possible
undercover work or guerrilla warfare all arms were confiscated, a
curfew rigidly enforced and civilians were forbidden to gather in
groups. The laws were strict and penalties for infractions were
severe. It was the duty of the 275th Infantry and all
other units engaged in the policing of occupied Germany not only to
quell all trouble that might arise, but also maintain such order and
discipline that these incidents would be very rare. The obedience of
the people had to be absolute and complete; anything less than this
would not be tolerated. At the same time, the people were treated
fairly and justly. Legitimate and reasonable requests of a nature
that did not hamper our military operations were granted. This was
in accordance with the Supreme Commander’s first message to the
people of occupied Germany when he said, "We come as conquerors, but
not as oppressors".
