From February 10-18, 1945, the 3rd Infantry Division once again took up the watch on the Rhine, guarding the west bank of the river. It was now the task of the Marnemen to make sure the enemy didn’t recross the Rhine. Activity against the enemy was confined to harassing artillery fire and intermittent mortar fire. The Germans countered with an occasional bombing and strafing run to keep the Dogface Soldiers on their toes.[1]

During February and early March 1945, Phil’s 30th Infantry Regiment enjoyed some hard-earned R&R time. Even then, they continued training with an eye toward the coming invasion of Germany.

Each soldier knew that every mile deeper into Germany had to be purchased with someone’s blood.

On February 11, 1945, Phil wrote this to his mother:

Again, this is just a note. But one of these days I’m going to sit down and write you a long letter. Being a CO puts one heck of a strain on a person, so don’t know if I want the job or not. That is to keep.

All the snow is gone now, so all we have is mud and rain and wind. I almost wish the snow was on the ground again, cause I think it was quite a bit warmer.

I got a big stack of mail yesterday. All written in Sept. & Oct. Had been sent to the hospital and just now caught up with me.

Maybe I will be able to write tomorrow night. Hope so. With all my love.

Phil[2]

Besides rest and rehabilitation were the inevitable training and the addition of a steady stream of replacements to their dwindling ranks.

Training periods highlighted street fighting, attacking fortified positions, training with tanks and infantry fighting together, and physical hardening. Other sessions emphasized basic weaponry, map reading, use of the compass, and squad- and platoon-level tactics to work new soldiers into their seasoned units.

Phil and the other company commanders also had to fight numerous rumors unsettling their men. Because the Germans were known for booby trapping, some of the “old men” advised the rookie infantrymen to never lay on a bed or flush a toilet upon entering a captured house. Why? Because explosives could go off.

They told them that the enemy would even wire their dead, knowing that GIs couldn’t resist pocketing a Luger[3] or a few Reichsmarks. Souvenir collecting was also discouraged by the rumor that if a GI were caught with German plunder, he would either be poorly treated as a POW or summarily executed since the Germans would think he was responsible for the death of one of their comrades.

The battlefield hearsay created great unease through the ranks, especially as combat intensified and the number of casualties climbed in early 1945.

Phil noticed that attendance at the Sunday worship services grew dramatically, and Catholic priests heard more confessions than ever. One of Phil’s men, Sergeant Norman Mohar, told him, “I finally got to confession—I had to since we’re entering Germany. My time might be running out.”

“How does that make you feel?” Phil wondered.

“Like I’m clean and absolved. I’ve never felt better.”

The Protestant chaplains were similarly busy, receiving new converts and baptizing them as fast as possible.[4]

~~~~~

[1] Champagne, 134.

[2] Handwritten Letter – V-Mail. Post marked, “U.S. Postal Service. No. 3. 23 Feb 1945.” Written on the envelope, “Recd 2-26-45.”

[3] The Luger is well known from its use by Germany during World War II. For GIs, it was the most
prized war souvenir and is still highly sought today.

[4] Larimore, At First Light, 205-206.

In case you haven’t read or listened to Dad’s book, you can learn more or order it here.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2025.