Download - 70th Infantry Division Association

While I and L Companies continued to fight their way up the southmost hill in the dusk of late afternoon, A
and C Companies, already digging in on the northeastern prominence overlooking Forbach, were
receiving heavy enemy artillery fire, particularly 88's.
The Third Battalion companies attained their objective just at dark and at once prepared to hold the
position for the night.
With two of the three hills in the Kleinwald now taken, the following regimental plan of action was decided
upon for 19 February: Third Battalion to attack the final high point-the Schlossberg; First Battalion to
move from its hill down into the edge of Forbach, but to push no farther than about two blocks into the
city. The First Battalion commander planned to take his company commanders and artillery liaison officer
on a ground reconnaissance in daylight, preceding the attack on the city, and launch the advance
perhaps as late as 1000. The Third Battalion commander's plan was to storm the castle hill beginning at
0830. Both of these plans of action received regimental approval.
With Company L on the right, Company I on the left, and Company K following at left rear to protect the
regimental flank, the Third Battalion moved out on its attack of the Schlossberg at 0830 19 February.
While this advance got under way, the First Battalion reconnaissance was being conducted and at 1000 it
was completed. The battalion commander's decision was to start the advance into Forbach at 1300.
The Third Battalion continued to advance through the morning, overcoming pockets of enemy resistance.
Most of this opposition was in the L Company sector, particularly in the vicinity of the old German
barracks in. the Kleinwald, where there was heavy small arms fire. I Company, meeting little opposition,
by-passed the barracks and continued to move up the hill toward the castle. Paradoxically, the old
barracks was proving a much more serious obstacle than the towering stone castle on the pinnacle of the
steep hill. At 1335. Company I had the castle surrounded, while L Company was still working on the
barracks, a group of buildings surrounded by a high stone wall that contained only one entrance. Before
1500, however, L had overcome all resistance down to the forward slope overlooking Forbach. At this
time, I Company, closing in around the castle, had contact with both L on the right and K on the left.
Although suffering several casualties from mortar fire in the early afternoon, I Company pushed on up the
slopes to the base of the castle, moved through its close-in defensive installations and at 1510 reported
the tower had been cleared of enemy. Thus, midafternoon found the Third Battalion disposed as follows: I
Company in possession of castle hill with its excellent observation of the enemy's positions; L Company
to the right and moving down the slopes of the Kleinwald toward Forbach; K Company to the left rear of I,
still serving as regimental and Division flank protection.
The attack of the First Battalion on the city of Forbach was under way late in the afternoon, with C on the
right and A on the left.
In the Third Battalion, I Company was receiving heavy artillery and mortar fire in the vicinity of the castle,
while L Company, advancing into the city, received such stiff opposition that it withdrew back up the
slope.
This day's casualties were 28 wounded. There were also 13 sick, making a total of 41 evacuations. We
captured two prisoners.
Orders to the 276th the evening of 19 February were to take Forbach as soon as possible. The
Commanding General, visiting regimental headquarters, had directed that the Bloody Axe "cut, slush and
drive".
CP of the 276th had been moved to Folkling during the afternoon.
Beginning the night of 19 February the enemy settled down to a determined defense of the city of
Forbach. First move was a counterattack on the castle, held by I Company.
Although enemy infantrymen pushed up the steep hill with almost fanatical zeal, yelling in the darkness as
they came on, they were stopped at the base of the tower. The few who crossed the walls were killed.