‚Sie machen uns das Leben zur Hölle‘
Ein deutscher Bergmann entfloh der anglo-amerikanischen Gewaltherrschaft
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Führer HQ (March 10, 1945)
Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht
Panzer und Grenadiere kämpften sich, von Schlachtfliegern unterstützt, östlich des Plattensees an mehreren Abschnitten weiter in den feindlichen Stellungsraum vor, schlugen starke Gegenangriffe zurück und fügten den Sowjets hohe Verluste zu. Gleichzeitig stießen eigene Verbände über die Drau nach Norden vor.
In der mittleren Slowakei wurden die Höhen beiderseits Schemnitz und östlich Altsohl gegen zahlreiche Angriffe der Bolschewisten behauptet.
Zwischen Oppeln und Striegau lebte die feindliche Aufklärungstätigkeit auf. Nordwestlich Striegau brach eine eigene Kampfgruppe überraschend in die sowjetischen Stellungen ein und setzte sich in den Besitz eines beherrschenden Höhengeländes. Bei Forst und Guben wurden unsere Stellungen trotz zähen feindlichen Widerstandes vorverlegt.
Gegen den verengten Brückenkopf Küstrin führten die Sowjets von Panzern und starken Fliegerkräften unterstützte Angriffe, die in hartem Kampf verlustreich zusammenbrachen.
Die Abwehrfront um Stettin hielt dem besonders von Süden und Südosten anhaltenden Ansturm starker Infanterie- und Panzerkräfte der Bolschewisten in schweren, aber erfolgreichen Kämpfen stand. Nach Abschuss von 33 feindlichen Panzern wurden von der hier eingesetzten Armee seit Beginn der Abwehrschlacht 560 Sowjetpanzer vernichtet, davon allein in den letzten drei Tagen 39 von der 1. Marinedivision.
Auch im Raum von Kolberg blieben zahlreiche feindliche Angriffe ohne Erfolg.
In Westpreußen vereitelten unsere schwerringenden Truppen in verkürzten Stellungen den unter hohem Materialeinsatz in Richtung Dirschau und Danzig erstrebten Durchbruch der Sowjets. Ohne entscheidenden Raumgewinn erlitt der Feind in entschlossenen Gegenangriffen besonders hohe Verluste. 260 feindliche Panzer wurden in den letzten 8 Tagen vernichtet oder erbeutet.
In Ostpreußen hält die durch unseren Abwehrerfolg erzwungene Kampfpause an. Im Verlauf der großen Schlacht in Ostpreußen haben Verbände des Heeres unter dem Oberbefehl des Generals der Infanterie Müller seit über sieben Wochen in entbehrungsreichem hartem Abwehrkampf den Angriffen von acht Sowjetarmeen widerstanden und in hervorragenden Waffentaten den erstrebten Durchbruch zur Haff-Küste vereiteln. Sie wurden durch Luftwaffenkräfte unter Führung von Generalmajor Übel und die im Erdkampf eingesetzte 18. Flakdivision unter Führung von Generalmajor Sachs wirkungsvoll unterstützt. Der Feind verlor in diesen Kämpfen über 275.000 Mann an blutigen Verlusten, 1.721 Panzer, 2.121 Geschütze aller Art und 258 Granatwerfer.
Unsere Kurlandverbände fingen östlich Frauenburg die mit unverminderter Heftigkeit angreifende 22. Sowjetarmee im Hauptkampffeld auf.
Sicherungsfahrzeuge eines deutschen Geleits brachten vor der westnorwegischen Küste fünf feindliche Flugzeuge zum Absturz.
Am Niederrhein verhinderten unsere Truppen auch gestern in aufopferndem Kampf die vom Feind versuchte Aufspaltung des Brückenkopfes Wesel, vernichteten zahlreiche feindliche Panzer und machten bei einem Gegenangriff über 100 Gefangene.
Die Reste der Besatzung von Bonn sind nach tapferem Widerstand der Übermacht des Gegners erlegen.
Am Mittelrhein wurden bei der Abwehr feindlicher Tiefflieger und Bomberverbände in erbitterten Luftkämpfen 13 anglo-amerikanische Flugzeuge zum Absturz gebracht.
Am Laachersee und in der Eifel stehen unsere Truppen in heftigen Abwehrkämpfen mit amerikanischen Verbänden. Aus Andernach wurde der Feind unter Verlust von mehreren Panzern wieder geworfen. Am Salm nördlich Trier auf breiter Front angreifender Feind konnte trotz seiner Überlegenheit nur wenig Boden gewinnen, östlich Trier und in den Unteren Vogesen wurden zahlreiche feindliche Vorstöße abgewiesen.
Von Sicherungsfahrzeugen der Kriegsmarine gelandete Stoßtrupps der Kanalinselbesatzung unter Führung von Kapitänleutnant Mohr führten in der Nacht vom 8. zum 9. März einen Handstreich auf den am Golf von St. Malo gelegenen feindlichen Versorgungshafen Granville durch. Sie zerstörten die Schleusen, schossen Stadt und Hafen in Brand und machten zahlreiche Gefangene, darunter einen Oberstleutnant und vier weitere Offiziere. 35 deutsche Soldaten wurden aus der Gefangenschaft befreit. Ferner wurde ein amerikanischer Bewacher versenkt, fünf Nachschubschiffe mit zusammen 4.800 BRT vernichtet und ein Versorgungsdampfer aufgebracht.
Aus Mittelitalien wird erfolgreiche eigene Stoßtrupptätigkeit südwestlich Imola gemeldet. Ein feindlicher Vorstoß am Senio scheiterte unter hohen Verlusten für den Gegner; ebenso wurde ein feindliches Landungsunternehmen gegen die Insel Lussin in Istrien zerschlagen.
Die Anglo-Amerikaner setzten am gestrigen Tage ihre Terrorangriffe gegen das westliche Reichsgebiet fort. Starke Schäden entstanden erneut in Kassel, Münster und Frankfurt am Main. Bei Einflügen amerikanischer Verbände nach Südostdeutschland wurde besonders das Stadtgebiet von Graz getroffen. In den Abendstunden griffen die Briten erneut die Reichshauptstadt an.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (March 10, 1945)
FROM
(A) SHAEF MAIN
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
101100A March
TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR
(2) NAVY DEPARTMENT
TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(3) TAC HQ 12 ARMY GP
(4) MAIN 12 ARMY GP
(5) AIR STAFF
(6) ANCXF
(7) EXFOR MAIN
(8) EXFOR REAR
(9) DEFENSOR, OTTAWA
(10) CANADIAN C/S, OTTAWA
(11) WAR OFFICE
(12) ADMIRALTY
(13) AIR MINISTRY
(14) UNITED KINGDOM BASE
(15) SACSEA
(16) CMHQ (Pass to RCAF & RCN)
(17) COM ZONE
(18) SHAEF REAR
(19) SHAEF MAIN
(20) PRO, ROME
(21) HQ SIXTH ARMY GP
(REF NO.)
NONE
(CLASSIFICATION)
IN THE CLEAR
Communiqué No. 336
UNCLASSIFIED: Allied forces have captured Xanten after bitter fighting and advanced beyond it to the south. In the area of Veen our units are meeting strong enemy resistance. We have captured Alpen and Millingen and the town of Ossenberg has been cleared.
Enemy troops west of the Rhine River, near Wesel, were attacked by fighter-bombers.
Farther south, the cities of Bonn and Bad Godesberg have been captured. Some mopping-up continues in the southern sector of Bonn.
Our crossing of the Rhine was made at Remagen, where a railway bridge was captured intact by our armor. Erpel, on the east bank of the Rhine, was captured by our forces before they proceeded inland. Fighter aircraft gave cover yesterday to our operations in the bridgehead.
Armored units striking northeast in a 19-mile advance, captured Brohl on the Rhine, while another armored column, moving parallel, has captured Mayen and advanced 11 miles farther to take Andernach, on the Rhine.
Our armored units advancing from the south have linked up along the Rhine with other units advancing from the north.
Other armored elements, mopping up in the Koblenz plain, have captured Kärlich, northwest of Koblenz.
Northwest of Mayen, we captured several towns including Adenau, Reifferscheid and Hoffeld.
Infantry units mopping up in the area east of Prüm, reached the vicinity of Waldkönigen and other elements reached Manderscheid.
In the area east and south of Bitburg, we captured Burg, Landscheid, and Gladbach, and crossed the Salm River on a three and one-half mile stretch, and reached a point one mile east of the river. Our armor advancing one and one-half miles to the east on a five-mile front, entered Föhren. Most of the resistance consisted of roadblocks and mines.
Railyards west of the Rhine in the Mannheim area, at Grünstadt, Bad Dürkheim and Schifferstadt, and fortified villages in the Saarbrücken area were attacked by fighter-bombers.
Along the Rhine, northeast of Strasbourg, we repulsed an enemy raid which followed a violent artillery and mortar barrage. Enemy patrols also were turned back south of Strasbourg.
Allied forces in the west captured 5,944 prisoners 8 March.
Railyards at Frankfurt, Kassel, Münster, Rheine, and Osnabrück, the Henschel Tank Works at Kassel, and the Hedderheim Propeller and Casting Plant at Frankfurt, were attacked by escorted heavy bombers in very great strength.
Enemy road and rail movement and communications east of the Rhine and barge traffic on the Rhine were attacked by fighter-bombers. Medium and light bomber targets were railyards at Dorsten, Haltern, Arnsberg, Butzbach and in the Wiesbaden area; armored vehicle depots at Wiesbaden and the communications centers of Westerburg and Nastatten, southeast of Koblenz. Ammunition factories at Wülfen, north of Dorsten; and Lünen, north of Dortmund, were attacked.
Fighter-bombers hit rail supply routes in eastern Holland and water traffic off the Dutch Island of Overflakkee.
Escorted heavy bombers made concentrated attacks on two Benzol Plants at Datteln on the northeastern outskirts of the Ruhr.
Fifteen enemy aircraft were shot down during the day. Ten of our heavy bombers, four medium and light bombers and 15 fighters are missing according to reports so far received.
Last night, targets in Berlin were bombed by light bombers. Other light bombers struck at road and rail targets north of the Ruhr eastward to Magdeburg and east of Cologne and Bonn.
COORDINATED WITH: G-2, G-3 to C/S
THIS MESSAGE MAY BE SENT IN CLEAR BY ANY MEANS
/s/
Precedence
“OP” - AGWAR
“P” - Others
ORIGINATING DIVISION
PRD, Communique Section
NAME AND RANK TYPED. TEL. NO.
D. R. JORDAN, Lt Col FA4655
AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE
/s/
U.S. Navy Department (March 10, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 293
During the night of March 8-9, the enemy attempted infiltration of Marine lines on Iwo Island on a large scale and subjected troops in the 4th Division sector to heavy mortar and sniper fire. The 4th Division destroyed 564 of the enemy while repulsing these attacks.
A general advance was made on the island on March 9, with forward elements of the 3rd Marine Division reaching the northeast beaches early in the afternoon. Gains up to several hundred yards were made against very stiff resistance. Army fighters based on Iwo Island joined carrier aircraft in providing close support for the troops and fleet units continued to shell the enemy. Heavy artillery preparation was directed onto enemy positions prior to attack by the Infantry.
On March 10, the Marines continued their attack and widened the area held on the northeast beaches of Iwo Island by noon. Resistance during the morning appeared to be diminishing although the enemy continued to hold prepared strong points tenaciously and snipers were active.
A small group of enemy aircraft approached Iwo Island in the early morning hours of March 9, but retired without attacking.
Targets in the Palaus were bombed by fighter and torpedo aircraft of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing on March 8‑9.
Mitchells of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing strafed and bombed small craft and buildings at Kusaie and Ponape in the Eastern Carolines on March 8.
Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed the airfield on Chichi Jima in the Bonins on March 8 and 9.
On March 9, Navy search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed runways and other installations on Wake Island.
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 294
The Marines on Iwo Island continued to drive forward on the afternoon of March 10. By 1800 the 4th Division had made substantial advances along most of its front and one of its patrols had reached the beach on the easternmost point of the island. Enemy resistance appeared to be decreasing at numerous points along the lines. Army and Navy aircraft continued to attack enemy positions and fleet surface units provided close gunfire support.
Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed docks, small craft, and defense positions on Ponape in the eastern Carolines on March 10.
The Pittsburgh Press (March 10, 1945)
Rhine bridgehead widened – Nazis report new crossing
Ruhr-Berlin road cut, Paris says – Germans trapped west of river
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15 square miles of Tokyo burned
More than 300 Superfortresses rain destruction on heart of capital
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Just be patient, boys –
Tokyo broadcasts invasion alarm
Misleading report of landing given
By the United Press
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Japs report battle in Mindanao city
Invasion of island still unconfirmed
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Top Philippine medal given to MacArthur
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Lewis’ call for strike vote may be halted
Legal basis lacking, operators say
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Trolley upsets on curve – 60 hurt
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GOEBBELS PROMISES WAR TO LAST GERMAN
Fanatical fight demanded by Nazi leader
Hitler pictured as Prussian king
LONDON (UP) – The German DNB News Agency reported today that Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels visited the Silesian front recently and reiterated that Germany would fight to the last man and never capitulate.
The Nazi leader acknowledged that the amount of Germany’s material equipment had reached a low stage, but argued that a fanatical fight by all the people behind Adolf Hitler would overcome the handicap.
Talks to home guard
Goebbels, according to DNB, made the visit to the Silesian front in Southwest Germany during the last few days and talked to members of the Volkssturm (home guard) and youth organizations at Goerlitz and Lauban.
The Nazi broadcast came almost simultaneous with other reports from the continent, indicating an increasing tension among the Germans, including the beleaguered Nazi High Command.
A Stars and Stripes dispatch from the Third Army front quoted German prisoners that Marshal Karl Gerd von Rundstedt had been ousted from the Western Front command and replaced by Field Marshal Walther Model. The prisoners described the shakeup as preparations for a last-ditch defense by the Nazis.
Tries to aid morale
An earlier DNB dispatch disclosed that Nazi officials had ordered all workers in evacuation areas to report immediately to military authorities. It also warned that “every person of military age” must carry identification papers.
Goebbels’ reported visit to Silesia was believed an attemnpt to bolster the morale of the German people facing the onslaught of the Soviet armies on the Eastern Front.
The Propaganda Minister attempted to portray Hitler as another “great king of the Prussians” with the ability to lead Germany to victory if the people remained behind him after setbacks as well as triumphs.
Goebbels claimed that the immediate danger of being overrun by the Red Army “no longer can frighten us” and said that instead of panic, the Russians now were meeting a unison of hundreds of thousands of German soldiers on the Eastern Front.
Battle in Munich
The Moscow radio, meanwhile, quoted reports from the German frontier that serious disturbances had broken out in Munich, with the town entirely surrounded by SS troops. The broadcasts claimed that shooting had occurred in eastern Munich.
A Berlin dispatch to the Stockholm Morgon-Tidningen said the German capital was being prepared for a final stand. Empty street and subway cars have been filled with stones and concrete and overturned at strategic street corners, the article said.
Bungling of war program laid to federal officials
Army and WPN named as Senators probe Detroit’s labor and manpower troubles
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JAPANESE RESISTANCE STARTING TO CRACK ON IWO
Marines split enemy force along coasts
Resistance appears to be diminishing
GUAM (UP) – Jap resistance on Iwo began to crack today as three Marine divisions tightened their stranglehold on two big enemy pockets along the north and east coasts.
The Marines widened their corridor between the two pockets and closed in on the enemy from the south, east and west in gains of up to several hundred yards in fierce fighting.
“Resistance during this morning appeared to be diminishing although the enemy continued to hold prepared strongpoints tenaciously and snipers were active,” Pacific Fleet headquarters announced in the first communiqué on the fighting on Iwo in some 36 hours.
In final stages
The announcement indicated that the 20-day-old campaign on Japan’s front doorstep was entering its final stages, with the end of organized resistance in sight.
However, the remnants of the original enemy garrison of 20,000 – now probably fewer than 4,000 – were battling to the death and more bloody fighting appeared in prospect before final victory.
The 3rd Division smashed ahead the last few hundred yards to the sea on the northeast coast yesterday, completely severing Jap troops on the north shore from those on the east.
Continuing the attack today, the 3rd Division had widened its hold on the northeast beaches.
Meet tough resistance
The Japs in the north were pinned between the 3rd Marines, in the center of the northeastern beaches and the 5th Division pressing along the northwest shoreline to within 1,000 yards of Kitano, northern tip of the tiny island.
The 4th Division, on the east coast, was meeting the toughest resistance in a frontal drive from the south against the main enemy pocket, but was hacking out limited gains.
The Japs launched a large-scale attempt to infiltrate the 4th Division’s lines with heavy mortar and sniper fire support Thursday night, but ran into a stonewall defense. A total of 564 enemy troops were killed, the communiqué said.
Blast Chichi Island
A small group of Jap planes approached Iwo early Friday, but retired without attacking, the communiqué said.
U.S. planes continued to strike at Chichi Island in the Bonins, north of Iwo.
Navy search Privateers bombed runways and other installations on Wake Island Friday, and attacks on Kusaie and Ponape in the Eastern Carolines and on the Palaus were carried out Thursday and Friday.