Download - 70th Infantry Division Association

We immediately began to patrol our assigned sector. All units were notified to provide their own anti
aircraft security. Plans for continuation of the training which was started at Volklingen were made.
Enemy planes of undetermined numbers flew over our sector at 0100 on the 27th of March.
Our new area was patrolled and mopped up during the day and night of 27 March 1945. The perfect
weather of many days ended abruptly as rain fell throughout the day making roads muddy.
The Regimental Rear Train closed into Altenglan, Germany. Supply situation remained normal. Morale
was excellent.
Training continued as scheduled during the rest of the month of March. Motorized patrolling of all areas
occupied by our troops continued.
The problem of controlling, interviewing, and classifying large numbers of Volkstrum troops and displaced
persons (Russians, French, Slovaks, etc., who were former "slave-laborers" of the German Reich) was
encountered by our intelligence section and attached Interrogation Team and Civil Affairs Personnel for
the first time. All Volkstrum Troops were interviewed. If, after screening, it was decided that they were not
dangerous, they were released to the custody of the Burgermeister (Mayor) of their local community who
would be responsible for them. If they were considered a menace to the security of the Regiment, they
were classed as prisoners of war and sent back to a prisoner of war stockade.
All displaced persons were gathered together and, after screening, were sent to higher headquarters for
possible return to their homes through the International Red Cross.
In the late afternoon of 28 March 1945, Company B held what is believed to be one of the first Retreat
Formations ever to be held by United States Forces in Germany. An American Flag was found in the town
of Puttlingen, Germany. The Colors were raised on the morning of the 28th and were lowered during the
Retreat Ceremony. The town flagpole was used and Company B's bugler sounded "To the Colors" and
"Retreat" on a captured German bugle.
Two days later, the 3d Battalion held a formal Retreat Ceremony for the presentation of Bronze and Silver
Star Medals. The Trailblazer Band of the 70th Division played for the ceremony. Colonel A. C. Morgan,
the Regimental Commander, presented the awards and reviewed the troops.
March 29, 1945 - Kottweiler, Germany. (88.7 - 10.8) Wolfstein 1/25,000. Traywick, James W. - Sk hosp
LD NBC to dy as of 15(?) Mar/45. Schadt, Harold (Inf) 2nd Lt. 1542 - Asgd & jd with Bn as Plat Ldr as of
28 Mar/45 fr Hq 2d Bn, this Regt per par 4 SO 54. Hq 276th Inf dtd 29 Mar/45. Schoen, Harry P. Jr. (Inf)
lst Lt. - Reld fr dy as Ex 0 & asgd dy as Plat Ldr as of 16 Mar/45 per par 7 SO 54, Hq 276th Inf dtd 29
Mar/45. Placed on ED w/Regtl Hq as Graves Registration Officer as of 21 Mar/45 per par 6 SO 54. Hq
276th Inf dtd 29 Mar/45. Strauss, Joseph M. (Inf.) 2d Lt. - Reld fr dy as Plat Ldr & asgd dy as Exec 0 as of
16 Mar/45.
March 31, 1945 - Kottweiler, Germany. Brewer, W. J. Pfc. - Sk hosp LD NBC to trfd Det Pnts, 7th Army
per Cir 37 Hq 7th Army dtd 17 Dec/44. Schadt, Harold (Inf.) 2d Lt. - Dy to TD Hq 7 th Army APO 738 for dy
with G-5 Section per par 1 SO 49. Hq's 70th Inf Div dtd 30 Mar/45.
On the 31st of March we were alerted to move by motor to the west bank of the Rhein River in the vicinity
of Rheinbollen and Bacharach, Germany. The move was to start in the morning hours of 1 April 1945.
The afternoon and evening of the 31st were spent in preparation for the move.
Our supply situation at the close of the month was normal. Our organic vehicles had been supplemented
by several captured enemy vehicles as authorized by the 7th Army.
Weather remained cloudy and roads were muddy. Rail fell at intervals.
Reinforcements required at the month's close were listed as 122 enlisted men.