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World War II: American VI Corps Fought the Battle for HerrelsheimWorld War II | 2 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post
On the strategic level, Germany’s position was hopeless in January 1945, yet the battle for Herrlisheim was a tactical draw. Both sides gave good accounts of themselves. The Germans, especially the 10th SS Panzer Division, proved once again that they still had the best tanks on the battlefield and that the German soldier, even with his back to the wall, was a force to be reckoned with. The 12th Armored Division proved that even a new unit with inexperienced GIs could stand up against the best the German army could throw at it. Both sides exhibited outstanding combat leadership. Subscribe Today
Perhaps the best summation of the battle for Herrlisheim can be found in the description given by Major Brendan Phibbs, the surgeon for Combat Command B. Writing in his memoirs, The Other Side of Time, Phibbs said: ‘Decisions now up to lieutenants, sergeants, privates, organizing confusion, calling for artillery fire, siting machine guns, building defenses. No bridge, no mass tank attack, no disorganized German home guard running away; instead, determined German infantry attacking hard out of mist and snow. Our men hunker in the snow, shoot at blurs. The battlefield has stepped in and is shaping the battalion’s actions; colonels and generals may as well bay their orders to the moon.’
This article was written by David Zabecki and Keith Wooster and originally appeared in the January 1999 issue of World War II. For more great articles be sure to pick up your copy of World War II. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts, World War II
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2 Comments to “World War II: American VI Corps Fought the Battle for Herrelsheim”
Dear Sir / Madam:
We have recently adopted a grave of a soldier buried at
the Netherlands American cemetery and memorial in Margraten.
We have received a certificate of adoption of COUSINS JAMES J.
I think he was born in Kittaning, Armstrong Co, PA.
But I did find out that he lived in ALLEGHENY PENNSYLVANIA.
He was with the 405th Infantry Regiment , 102d INFANTRY DIVISION
and was killed in action.
I believe on 26 February 1945.
His rank was private, dog tag number 33269584, 405th Infantry Regiment 102d DIVISION
I have been doing some browsing on the internet, but there is still
some information that I would like to have, but cannot find.
I would like to know exactly where he was killed.
I know that they were fighting in the Netherlands and Germany
I now have a name, but I would like to have a face with a name.
Is there a possibility of finding one or more photo’s after all these
years.
And I want to trace down his family.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Jo Wijnants
Koempel 33, 6372 NE
Landgraaf
The Netherlands
Phone – 0031455319621.
E-mail – jowijnants@wanadoo.nl
By Jo wijnants on Jul 10, 2008 at 7:38 am
My dad was a tank commander at Herrlisheim. He was captured by the Germans. He gets very emotional when he talks about that day. Many of his friends were killed.
By Phillip Bettis on Jun 6, 2009 at 1:37 pm