4 Steeples for Lt. Greenwood WTO (id:#63224)

(Grumble Jones ID: GJ054)   [next]   [previous]

Herxheim am Berg, Germany 1945-03-26 (6 others)

Overview:

As March 1945 neared its end, elements of the American 4th Armored Division were driving towards the city of Mannheim. The area between Mannheim and Mainz was considered some of the best terrain for crossing the Rhine River. While, much of Mannheim had been secured, there remained isolated German units still defending the western approaches to the city. Most significantly, German artillery observers in the area were directing persistent and accurate artillery fire on the road approaches to Mannheim. German batteries on the east bank of the Rhine were zeroing in on US units trying to reach the city. A reinforced reconnaissance company of the 4th Armored Division, led by Lt. Greenwood, was directed to find and eliminate the German artillery observer believed to be located in one of four large church steeples in the area. To make things more difficult, a convoy of bridging equipment was scheduled to pass through the area. Lt. Greenwood would have to locate and eliminate the German observer before he could rain down ruin on the approaching column. As Lt. Greenwood’s force entered the combat zone, he was met by burning buildings and a heavily shelled area, which let him know that he was in the right place. As he surveyed the area, he could see large church steeples to the northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast...

Defender: German (352 Volksgrenadier Division)  

Errata (source)