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| Task Force Spiess had thrust forward ten miles in a
single day against resistance varying from light to fierce. Now the infantry
moved forward to its new jump-off positions with a clearer idea as to where
the maximum pressure was to be applied. The Luftwaffe, sensing the need for
now or never action if the Americans were to be halted, flew 44 sorties
during the day, employing Focke-Wulfs, Messerschmidts, and the new
jet-propelled fighter. Some damage was done, but the 537th AAA
Battalion (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) destroyed three planes and
kept the remainder at a safe distance and altitude. In the morning of the 21st enemy patrols infiltrated into American positions near the Ober Olmer Wald inflicting some damage before they were finally eliminated. At Hahnheim was discovered a strong force which rejected all demands to surrender. Division artillery plus the 8-inch guns of Corps proceeded virtually to annihilate the town. Seventy Germans were killed ; 120 reconsidered the surrender demands. The 90th suffered no casualties in the encounter. All along the sector troops of the 90th closed in on the city of Mainz, approaching it from north, west and south. One after another the suburban communities fell. Commanders in Mainz declared they would fight to the last man and to the last round of ammunition, which was perfectly agreeable to the forces closing in. They had met that kind of opposition before... successfully. Relentlessly the ring around the city tightened. The assault on the stronghold began on March 22nd with six infantry battalions converging from every side. The infantry had been alerted to expect bitter house to house fighting, particularly so since the suburban approaches had been so aggressively defended. But Mainz, it developed, was a "snap". A few isolated groups at intersections attempted a last ditch stand, some resistance was found in the city park, but these forces were quickly and effectively silenced and overwhelmed. The radio station was captured intact. Colonel Weiss, the City Commandant, surrendered. Streets and roads were heavily mined, but the disillusioned civilians, sick to death of Nazi lies and tired of war, volunteered to lead the Americans safely through the maze of mines. |
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