Units: 276th: Accounts: Wright

276th Inf: Accounts: Randall Wright
Hot Action in the Dead of Winter

Randall Wright, E/276
(From the Spring 2000 Trailblazer, pp20-22)

After 55 years it is very difficult to remember the details and hardships of combat experiences. However, certain events and the bravery of fine comrades will remain with me for the rest of my life.

One example that comes to mind involves a patrol in the Low Vosges, south of Obermuhlthal on January 10, 1945. It was cold, the snow was deep and the terrain was steep and rough.

The battalion objective was to reach and take Hill 415. Enemy machine gun fire from an emplacement was harassing E/276 and holding up progress in accomplishing the objective. Our patrol consisted of men from the 1st Platoon, lead by Lieutenant Harold "Jack" Bunstine. Our orders were to locate the machine gun emplacement and bring mortar fire on it. Lieutenant Bunstine was to act as our spotter.

As Lieutenant Bunstine was observing the target through binoculars, a sniper's bullet took him in the head, killing him instantly. His death left the patrol without a leader for a vital mission.

After discussing the available options, the patrol agreed it was best to return to the company area. There was uncertainty about the way back, but I was sure I could find a way back despite the rough, snow covered terrain. As a result of expressing my thoughts, I was chosen to take the lead. The big test came when the squad had to cross an open area where we would be exposed to enemy fire. I had the men run individually, at different intervals, across the dangerous zone thereby hoping that we could confuse the enemy sharpshooters. Fortunately, there were no casualties and all of us reached the company area safely.

Another event that I remember vividly took place on February 6, 1945. We were ordered to take part in an attack on the enemy's defensive installation in front of Oeting, a small village not far from Forbach. The attack was to start at 0001 hours, with the immediate objective to take a defensive trench system (including machine gun emplacements and an anti- tank ditch on a hillside) just southeast of town.

Sergeant Roberson was the squad leader. Privates Nelson, Kile, Vadon and Malone were in the squad (there were others, but their names escape me). I was the squad's BAR man.

The ground was wet with melted snow to the extent that low spots (including trenches) were mud holes. We also encountered numerous problems with inoperable weapons due to the lousy conditions.

The attack jumped off on schedule. Barbed wire entanglements hindering our progress were breached by the Bangalore Torpedoes expertly placed by combat engineers who were supporting our attack. We did have to crawl through the mud though to avoid being sliced to pieces by machine gun and small arms fire from the enemy positions.

By 0200, despite the frustrations of mud, freezing temperatures, jammed weapons and near-zero visibility, we were in the trench system engaged in hand- to-hand. combat with the enemy. Fighting was so close that a German hand grenade bounced off my leg before exploding and wounding Private Vadon and Sergeant Roberson.

While the trenches were not defended to the degree we had expected (probably due to our having the element of surprise), the brutal enemy machine gun fire from the well placed bunkers had to be eliminated before we could take the anti-tank ditch. Somehow a flare was fired which illuminated the immediate area. The result was more to the advantage of the enemy as E Company was caught in the open, becoming easy targets.

Toward daylight, Lieutenant Claude J. Hafner, 2nd Platoon, E/276, was looking for someone to provide covering fire so we could continue attacking the machine gun emplacements we had outflanked during darkness. Due to my BAR being one of the few operating automatic weapons on the field, he ordered me to cover his approach to the rear of the bunkers. As the enemy had no field of vision to their rear, this was the best way to approach and take out the positions. Together, we neutralized two machine guns and forced the surrender of a third.

Later that same afternoon, while starting on a patrol, Private Malone and several others came under enemy fire when they were in the open. Without thinking, I put my BAR into action and in so doing I drew the full firepower of the enemy. That few moments, though, allowed the patrol to take cover, regroup and continue their mission. Luckily, I wasn't hit.

Lieutenant Hafner was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on February 6, 1945 near Oeting, France. He was cited for helping capture 13 prisoners, bayoneting one enemy soldier, destroying several gun positions and mopping up bypassed enemy positions.

It was an honor serving with such fine men.

TB Editor's Note: Randall Wright passed away Feb 8, 2000.