Wars are started, most often, by those who sit in comfort and beat their breasts at some perceived slight or aggression, before issuing a rallying call and dispatching the youth of the day to do their dirty work for them, whilst they remain in safety and comfort many miles from danger.
Perhaps, when those who decide to go to war are the ones who stand in the front line of an army, then we may see less dying and more trying.
I am convinced that those who have died, or are returning home broken, would agree.
Perhaps, when this ghastly mess is over, we can begin to have a world where war is seen for the abhorrence it is; no glory, no honour, no wondrous adventure, just a gutter affair in which we visit awfulness upon men who could so easily be our brothers and, with whom, in the main, we have no disagreement or dislike.
We can but pray.
[Author’s note. The attack was carried out on the village of Rottelsheim, and was part of the major assault upon Brumath and its environs. 264th US Infantry Regiment was tasked with taking the route through Rottelsheim, in order to prevent reinforcements moving south. The Soviets had anticipated this move and sent extra forces, units that bolstered the defence to the extent that the rest of the 264th’s units failed to make their objectives.
1st Battalion made Rottelsheim, possibly due to the late arrival of the Soviet bolstering force, which force then counter-attacked and pushed the GIs all the way back to the 1st Battalion’s start line.
The Soviet forces involved belonged to the 15th Mechanised Corps, the unit mainly credited with arriving on the field at Brumath in time to halt the US offensive.
I have been unable to establish which units comprised the original defenders of Rottelsheim, so don’t want to confuse the situation by taking an uninformed guess.
The after-action report of 1st Battalion, 264th Regiment, reveals horrendous losses which, when combined with the strains of the previously days of combat, were to make the unit combat-ineffective and in need of withdrawal.
The Battalion lost exactly one hundred men KIA, one hundred and seventeen WIA, and six men MIA. The six MIA were located during road widening works to the north of Rottelsheim during the summer of 2005. It appears likely that they had been captured and executed.
Soviet casualties are estimated at three-hundred plus.
2nd Lieutenant Richard G Flores lost both his right leg and right arm during the defence of their positions. He survived the war.
An investigation was launched as to why expected air support did not arrive, and the blame was placed on an air-controller who, without the necessary authority, sent the supporting unit elsewhere.]
Dear Reader,
The day has brought no renewed fighting.
It seems both sides have battered each other into a stupor and now pause for breath.
We are to be relieved, news that brought surprisingly little reaction amongst the men here.
Everywhere I go, there is a low hubbub of whispered conversations, but there is nothing of the banter and exchanges that filled the hours before yesterday’s attack.
Soon we will be gone from this place, so perhaps there is no surprise that, when the big NCO calls for volunteers for a patrol, there are none.
Men are ordered to the duty, and they grumble, but still rise and prepare to go out into No Man’s Land once more.
The pistol that I picked up yesterday is now mine to keep, complete with an old leather holster tossed to me by the same NCO who has permitted me to accompany the small patrol. A sign of acceptance from the men who I have come to think of as friends?
I will compose my last front line report upon my return.
Dear Reader,
Our patrol has returned, but not without incident, and strange incident at that.
As suspected, the Soviet forces have pulled back a little and confine themselves to the village, leaving the outlying areas free of their presence.
We proceeded on orders, and moved quietly around, checking buildings and natural defensive points, all so that we can hand over to our relief and arm them with the best knowledge available.
Near the end of our patrol, three ragged men alarmed us as they emerged from a ruined set of buildings, shouting, their hands raised to indicate no weapons.
My veterans hit the ground and the trio were challenged by Sergeant Bill, the mission commander.
Beckoning them forward, the three ragged men closed on our patrol, details becoming clearer the closer they came.
Beside me, I heard a muttered oath as a long-service corporal saw things he recognised and, I am certain, never expected to see again.
Sergeant Bill rose to meet the three and found that one had sufficient English to make himself understood. As the conversation continued, the sight of SS uniforms made many a trigger finger itchy.
In short order, Sergeant Bill organised an escort for two of the men, whilst the one who spoke English took his leave. It seemed an emotional goodbye, but Bill soon cut it short.
We returned to the front positions and our new arrivals were taken away.
Just over an hour later, I now find myself having to pack away my typewriter, as the relief company has arrived and we can make our way back to an area where we can be safe and sleep will not be interrupted.
My war is run, and I only hope that I never again experience anything that it has to offer. The sights and sounds that have assailed me these last few days will stay with me for all my days.
There is no glory in death, of that I am convinced.
From this day forward, I will concentrate on enjoying everything life has to offer, come what may.
[Author’s note. The failed assault on Brumath marked the high-water mark of the attacks in that area, although elsewhere, some successes were still realized. The presence of forces dedicated to the Soviet’s own plans of attack undoubtedly meant that US 6th Army had a harder time than some others.
The relieving unit was from the 263rd Regiment, who were in turn replaced three days later, allowing the entire 66th to recuperate behind the lines.
Perhaps the strangest part of the last day’s activities was the surrender of the two men who emerged from the shattered Buildings.
According to the report submitted by Sergeant William J Brown, the two ex-SS men were apparently members of the Foreign Legion who had been left behind during the previous battles.
The senior officer, whilst dressed in German combat gear, certainly bore insignia and rank markings that could have been French in origin, but it was the presence of German gallantry medals alongside a Silver Star that most drew his eye.
Without a German speaker in the unit, Brown could not get further information, but he ensured the two were properly treated and sent back to the rear echelon.
The officer in question was eventually identified as Rolf Uhlmann.]
Dear Reader,
I had expected some immediate relief from the horrors of war, but they have not been forthcoming, rather the memories have become clearer and more horrible with the passing of time.
My dreams have become nightmares, and my nights have become broken by visions of men now dead, or dismembered, or missing.
I awake from my tortured sleep imagining the sights and smells of battle and its aftermath.