Pursuit and the end
Everywhere the German Wehrmacht was falling - with increasing speed American armored units
were racing ahead, encircling and isolating large sections of Germany. Despite all this the Germans kept
buying time by desperate stands spotted along our advance. It fell to the Infantry units following the
armor to clean out and destroy these pockets.
By April 1st the Division had reached Hersfeld and swung East towards Czechoslovakia. Daily
some action occured - sometimes against feeble resistance, and often against well dug-in Troop's. The
overcast permitted the all-but-dead Luftwaffe, to get out on forays, and several times the Battalion was
strafed with practically no casualties and with a loss of four planes to our .50 Caliber machine guns.
Vacha, Bad Salzungcn, Zella Mehlis, Merkers, towns fell with clock like precision. A Company
remained in Merkers to guard the much publicized Salt Mine, in which the major wealth of the German
Reich, had been hidden. The bulk of the many millions consisted of about 100 tons of gold bullion, plus
some 400 billion dollars in the currency of many nations.
On April 12th, the Interior Defense Come and was formed within the Division with the mission
of protecting important installations and roads within the Division zone. With Colonel Spiess in
command, the IDC was initially composed of Hqs. and Hqs. Co., and Rcn Co. of the 773rd, and the
Anti-Tank and Cannon Companies of the 357th Infantry.
From that time and until several days after the war ended this command performed ably, under
difficult and trying conditions, every mission assigned.
As part of the IDC, the Rcn Company escorted Division supply trains and kept the Division
Main Supply Routes safe. B Company operating with the 2nd Bn. 358th Infantry, led the Division
advance and performed the major share of the fighting, although in general, limited to smaller
engagements.
By the middle of April the Saale River and the Lake region near Lobenstein had been cleared.
On the 18th a 90th Division task force with the 2nd platoon of B Company, entered Czechoslovakia.
This was the first penetration by American troops.
As the last week in April approached, the Division was advancing Southeast paralleling the
Czech border, clearing the zone and protecting the XII Corps left flank. Daily the PsW count rose as
opposition continued light except for some defended road blocks and enemy strong points.
May 3rd- Two more Mark VI’s knocked out and the 11th Panzer Division surrendered intact to
the 90th Division.
May 5th- After being in Corps reserve for 12 hours, the Division attacked south to seize the
Regen bridgehead, through which the 4th Armored was to pass. On the 6th the attack swung Northeast
into Czechoslovakia to the general vicinity of Susice and Petrovice, and there the drive halted as the
softening war echo’s died away.
May 9th- War in the ETO ended as of 090001B May 1945.
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