This is the 70th anniversary of my great-grandfather’s service in Europe, so I’m bringing back this map I made of Tonice’s time as a combat medic. He was attached to some element of the 137th Infantry Regiment, which fought in the famed 35th Division. We don’t know which company, or even which battalion, so this is only a regimental overview with some movements down to the company level.**
So, then, for Dec. 10:
The 137th attacks, marching from its assembly area and across the Saar.
The 2nd and 3rd Battalions abreast, the 2nd on the left was to take Sarreguemines north of the river and attempt to seize the bridge that crossed the Blies River. The 3rd Battalion was to seize the high ground south of the Blies River. The 1st Battalion, from positions on the south bank of the Saar, was to support the advance of the 2nd. Anti-tank Company was to support the attack from positions on the Saar River.
On December 10, the attack moved smoothly with the 3rd Battalion and then the 2nd crossing the railroad bridge on the southeastern outskirts of Sarreguemines without receiving any enemy fire. The two battalions jumped off at 0730, the 2nd on the left and the 3rd on the right.
The 2nd Battalion met bitter resistance from the enemy in the Pottery Plant southeast of Sarreguemines. After a four-hour battle, Company F captured the factory and moved again into Sarreguemines proper. Company E was cleaning out the buildings north of Sarreguemines while Company F worked in the factory.
The 3rd Battalion operating on the right flank was receiving heavy fire and bitter resistance in its sector. They called for air support against enemy tanks in the town of Neunkirch. Company L moved off into Neunkirch and at 1500 had cleared the town. The 1st Battalion across the Saar was still in support of the 2nd Battalion and encountering sniper fire when darkness fell on the city. The 2nd hadn’t quite cleaned out the city and the 3rd Battalion was occupying Neunkirch.
View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map
View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map
This information is derived from the unit history, found here and here and from this unit overview. His quiet choice means that these markers are rough estimates and are meant only to be illustrative. Any errors are mine alone.
