254th Infantry Regiment- Page 6
THE BATTLE OF JEBSHEIM(CONTINUED FROM PAGE
5)
It was just getting dark on the evening of 26 January when the Third Battalion
moved out of Riedwihr. I Company was in the lead as the troops crossed the
little stream just east of Riedwihr. this unit's mission was to clear the patch of
woods just north of the Riedwihr-Jebsheim road. L company was to turn off
the road to the south and clear the upper half of the forest which lay on that
side; K Company was to keep to the right of L and sweep the southern half
of the woods. I company sent its three rifle platoons forward at 1700, two
platoons abreast, one to the rear. The two leading platoons came under
mortar and small arms fire, but were able to reach the eastern edge of the
woods. The reserve element was fired on and pinned down by a well
emplaced machine gun at the stream junction to the north. Two squads sent
to silence the gun were unable to close in on the weapon, but is was finally
eliminated by mortar fire. Defensive positions were then placed along the east
edge of the woods and the company remained here that night. The attack by
L Company began at 2100. Meeting little resistance, the company turned
south off the road, then pushed eastward, intending to advance to the east
edge of the forest. However, a large clearing in the center of the woods was
mistaken, in the darkness, for the fields beyond. When the company arrived
at this clearing it went into defensive positions. K Company had jumped off
and pushed due south through the western portion of the forest. The advance
was successful until the company was within a short distance of the clearing.
At this point K Company encoutered heavy fire from the southern edge of the
woods, mostly consisting of high velocity, flat trajectory fire. Unable to
proceed the company fell back to Riedwihr, leaving one platoon in defense
postions at the point of farthest advance.
Meanwhile, the attack on Jebsheim had started at about the same time that
the Third Battalion moved out. The objective remained the same--the
northern half of the town to the Second Battalion and the southern half of the
town to the First Battalion. F Company passed through and led G Company,
which was to protect the left flank. E company remained as battalion reserve
in the defensive positions occupied the night before by one of its platoons. C
Company, with A Company following, launched the First Battalion's attack.
B Company, initally to rear of the other companies was to stand by until they
had cleared, then strike the southern part of the town. Companies C and F
waded through the deep snow toward the bunkers which had turned them
back the previous night. Moving along the northwest road toward the junction
at the western approach to the town, the battalions again met a furious hail of
fire about five hundred yards from the defending emplacements. This was of
the same pattern as that received the night before--88mm fire from three
directions, automatic weapons from the bunkers, and small arms from dug in
positions around the pillboxes. Slowly they moved forward, inching their way
through the snow and attempted to reduce the fortifications with well-aimed
bazooka fire. This proved successful with all but one of the bunkers, whose
two foot thick walls merely ricocheted the rockets into the air. As a last
resort, the tank destroyers were brought up, braving the dangerous 88's east
of the town, and fired point blank through the thick walls of the bunker and
rendered possible its capture by F Company men. (See Photos below)
At this point A Company and C Company, greatly understrength from the
battles of the last four days, joined with F Company for the final push into
town. At 2400 we saw one of the most awe-inspiring scenes most of us can
recall, as eight battalions of artillery laid a concentration into Jebsheim which
lasted for fifteen minutes. As we watched it seemed as if the village, laying
peacefully asleep one moment, became nothing but a massive sheet of flame
the next. By 0100 27 January, F Company and the remnants of the First
Battalion were on the northwest street of the town. Three hours later
Jebsheim was clear to the upper square. In this engagement, which was
extremely bitter while it lasted, G company worked parallel to F Company
along the northwest street. The now exhausted men of F Company organized
defensive positions in houses while G Company set up an arc facing north
toward Grussenheim. Since little activity was observed in the southern part of
the town, we believed that Jebsheim was clear except for snipers. G
Company that afternoon, therefor, began the task of clearing the north-south
street. the unit soon discovered that our surmise had been far from right. After
in intense battle which lasted all that day, G company finally fought its way
down to the lower square. The fighting was of the most severe type possible-
house to house, floor to floor, room to room. Before the company had time
to prepare proper defense at the lower square, a strong counterattack
developed from the enemy position, and the depleted unit was driven back
through sheer weight of numbers and fire power. The counterattack was
finally repulsed at the upper square.
The following morning, 28 January, the French desired to pass through the
town, but failed in their attempt to break the German lines. E Company then
resumed the attack at 1400 to reduce resistance in the southern end of
Jebsheim. Gaining impetus as the drive progressed smoothly and swiftly, the
company was across the intesection and about five houses down on the left
side of the street an hour later. 115 prisoners had been taken at the cost of
26 killed or wounded. At about 1700 the enemy launched another desperate
counterattack, and as the company was slowly forced to give ground, G
company was commited to aid them. Together the two units repulsed that
attack and made plans to continue the advance at 0400 on the 29th of
January. Just before the companies began their attack, three Germans entered
our lines and asked E Company to surrender, saying "We know you have
only a company here and we have a battalion." The men of E company
opened fire in answer and began the last most bitter fight for the possession of
Jebsheim.
The enemy was being supplied and reinforced by the road leading north into
Jebsheim from Muntzenheim. To cut this road and to provide a base of fire
for I Company striking Jebsheim from the south, the Third Battalion left its
position in the Bois de Jebsheim at 1130 that day. Leaving K Company in
reserve, I and L Company moved out along the road. Arriving at the bridge
over the small creek, Company L turned south along the west bank to
provide a base of fire for I Company, which was to move southeast,
by-passing the tip of Jebsheim and turning sharply north strike the enemy in
the vineyards just east of the German-occupied houses. Heavy fire from these
houses caused a change in I Company's operation; a flank attack was
decided upon. Accordingly the unit moved in by the road leading west from
the southern end of the town. A French tank encountered on the outskirts
was persuaded to assist them and the newly formed tank-infantry team
attacked enemy strongpoints on the west side of the north-south street. At the
time of the Third Battalion's arrival, the fight between the Second Battalion
and the enemy in his remaining houses was particularly violent. Compressing
the Germans into these few houses below the southern square had
necessitated the commitment of the remaining elements of the First Battalion
as well as the reserve company of the Second Battalion. From the houses,
from the bunkers, and from the foxholes in the vine-yards southeast of the
steet crossing, the enemy resisted fiercely with automatic weapons while
88mm guns poured fire on the attackers. The impact of I Company coupled
with the blows being delivered by the Second Battalion, broke the German's
desire to resist further. At about 1630, they began to march out of their
foxholes, first in small groups of five and ten, then in large groups to
surrender. The total was about 450, most of whom were members of the
136th Mountain Regiment.
Jebsheim, itself, was now taken. The cost had been high, with the regiment
losing sixty-six killed in action. But we felt that the cost was worth the price
we had paid for it. According to statements of prisoners of war, the town had
been used as a corps headquarters. It was not until later that we learned that
the Third Division had not expected us to be able to capture this stronghold.
the question as to why our determination was so strong, our fighting so fierce
in taking this town was probably best answered by one PFC. who said, "If
you think I was going to stay out in some damn foxhole full of snow while the
Krauts were living in nice warm cellars, you're crazy!"
Go to 254th Infantry Regiment- Page 7
5)
It was just getting dark on the evening of 26 January when the Third Battalion
moved out of Riedwihr. I Company was in the lead as the troops crossed the
little stream just east of Riedwihr. this unit's mission was to clear the patch of
woods just north of the Riedwihr-Jebsheim road. L company was to turn off
the road to the south and clear the upper half of the forest which lay on that
side; K Company was to keep to the right of L and sweep the southern half
of the woods. I company sent its three rifle platoons forward at 1700, two
platoons abreast, one to the rear. The two leading platoons came under
mortar and small arms fire, but were able to reach the eastern edge of the
woods. The reserve element was fired on and pinned down by a well
emplaced machine gun at the stream junction to the north. Two squads sent
to silence the gun were unable to close in on the weapon, but is was finally
eliminated by mortar fire. Defensive positions were then placed along the east
edge of the woods and the company remained here that night. The attack by
L Company began at 2100. Meeting little resistance, the company turned
south off the road, then pushed eastward, intending to advance to the east
edge of the forest. However, a large clearing in the center of the woods was
mistaken, in the darkness, for the fields beyond. When the company arrived
at this clearing it went into defensive positions. K Company had jumped off
and pushed due south through the western portion of the forest. The advance
was successful until the company was within a short distance of the clearing.
At this point K Company encoutered heavy fire from the southern edge of the
woods, mostly consisting of high velocity, flat trajectory fire. Unable to
proceed the company fell back to Riedwihr, leaving one platoon in defense
postions at the point of farthest advance.
Meanwhile, the attack on Jebsheim had started at about the same time that
the Third Battalion moved out. The objective remained the same--the
northern half of the town to the Second Battalion and the southern half of the
town to the First Battalion. F Company passed through and led G Company,
which was to protect the left flank. E company remained as battalion reserve
in the defensive positions occupied the night before by one of its platoons. C
Company, with A Company following, launched the First Battalion's attack.
B Company, initally to rear of the other companies was to stand by until they
had cleared, then strike the southern part of the town. Companies C and F
waded through the deep snow toward the bunkers which had turned them
back the previous night. Moving along the northwest road toward the junction
at the western approach to the town, the battalions again met a furious hail of
fire about five hundred yards from the defending emplacements. This was of
the same pattern as that received the night before--88mm fire from three
directions, automatic weapons from the bunkers, and small arms from dug in
positions around the pillboxes. Slowly they moved forward, inching their way
through the snow and attempted to reduce the fortifications with well-aimed
bazooka fire. This proved successful with all but one of the bunkers, whose
two foot thick walls merely ricocheted the rockets into the air. As a last
resort, the tank destroyers were brought up, braving the dangerous 88's east
of the town, and fired point blank through the thick walls of the bunker and
rendered possible its capture by F Company men. (See Photos below)
At this point A Company and C Company, greatly understrength from the
battles of the last four days, joined with F Company for the final push into
town. At 2400 we saw one of the most awe-inspiring scenes most of us can
recall, as eight battalions of artillery laid a concentration into Jebsheim which
lasted for fifteen minutes. As we watched it seemed as if the village, laying
peacefully asleep one moment, became nothing but a massive sheet of flame
the next. By 0100 27 January, F Company and the remnants of the First
Battalion were on the northwest street of the town. Three hours later
Jebsheim was clear to the upper square. In this engagement, which was
extremely bitter while it lasted, G company worked parallel to F Company
along the northwest street. The now exhausted men of F Company organized
defensive positions in houses while G Company set up an arc facing north
toward Grussenheim. Since little activity was observed in the southern part of
the town, we believed that Jebsheim was clear except for snipers. G
Company that afternoon, therefor, began the task of clearing the north-south
street. the unit soon discovered that our surmise had been far from right. After
in intense battle which lasted all that day, G company finally fought its way
down to the lower square. The fighting was of the most severe type possible-
house to house, floor to floor, room to room. Before the company had time
to prepare proper defense at the lower square, a strong counterattack
developed from the enemy position, and the depleted unit was driven back
through sheer weight of numbers and fire power. The counterattack was
finally repulsed at the upper square.
The following morning, 28 January, the French desired to pass through the
town, but failed in their attempt to break the German lines. E Company then
resumed the attack at 1400 to reduce resistance in the southern end of
Jebsheim. Gaining impetus as the drive progressed smoothly and swiftly, the
company was across the intesection and about five houses down on the left
side of the street an hour later. 115 prisoners had been taken at the cost of
26 killed or wounded. At about 1700 the enemy launched another desperate
counterattack, and as the company was slowly forced to give ground, G
company was commited to aid them. Together the two units repulsed that
attack and made plans to continue the advance at 0400 on the 29th of
January. Just before the companies began their attack, three Germans entered
our lines and asked E Company to surrender, saying "We know you have
only a company here and we have a battalion." The men of E company
opened fire in answer and began the last most bitter fight for the possession of
Jebsheim.
The enemy was being supplied and reinforced by the road leading north into
Jebsheim from Muntzenheim. To cut this road and to provide a base of fire
for I Company striking Jebsheim from the south, the Third Battalion left its
position in the Bois de Jebsheim at 1130 that day. Leaving K Company in
reserve, I and L Company moved out along the road. Arriving at the bridge
over the small creek, Company L turned south along the west bank to
provide a base of fire for I Company, which was to move southeast,
by-passing the tip of Jebsheim and turning sharply north strike the enemy in
the vineyards just east of the German-occupied houses. Heavy fire from these
houses caused a change in I Company's operation; a flank attack was
decided upon. Accordingly the unit moved in by the road leading west from
the southern end of the town. A French tank encountered on the outskirts
was persuaded to assist them and the newly formed tank-infantry team
attacked enemy strongpoints on the west side of the north-south street. At the
time of the Third Battalion's arrival, the fight between the Second Battalion
and the enemy in his remaining houses was particularly violent. Compressing
the Germans into these few houses below the southern square had
necessitated the commitment of the remaining elements of the First Battalion
as well as the reserve company of the Second Battalion. From the houses,
from the bunkers, and from the foxholes in the vine-yards southeast of the
steet crossing, the enemy resisted fiercely with automatic weapons while
88mm guns poured fire on the attackers. The impact of I Company coupled
with the blows being delivered by the Second Battalion, broke the German's
desire to resist further. At about 1630, they began to march out of their
foxholes, first in small groups of five and ten, then in large groups to
surrender. The total was about 450, most of whom were members of the
136th Mountain Regiment.
Jebsheim, itself, was now taken. The cost had been high, with the regiment
losing sixty-six killed in action. But we felt that the cost was worth the price
we had paid for it. According to statements of prisoners of war, the town had
been used as a corps headquarters. It was not until later that we learned that
the Third Division had not expected us to be able to capture this stronghold.
the question as to why our determination was so strong, our fighting so fierce
in taking this town was probably best answered by one PFC. who said, "If
you think I was going to stay out in some damn foxhole full of snow while the
Krauts were living in nice warm cellars, you're crazy!"
Go to 254th Infantry Regiment- Page 7
| Fred Clinton D/254th looks over the remains of the bunker that was used to pin down his unit during the attack on Jebsheim. This photo taken in 1996. |
| Close-up of damage done by the brave tank destroyer crews during the Battle of Jebsheim. Seen in the photo is the business end of armor piercing shells still embedded in the concrete bunker. |
| 90mm here |
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