According to a history channel documentary that I saw this afternoon, during world War 2, the Germans did use illicit drugs in combat, Mostly, they used
methamphetimenes (sp), also known as speed. Hitler himself used 3 doses a day. In early December of 1944, I was transferred from BTN anti-tank platoon to Co.
B. On the first night of combat, my rifle platoon was placed on a hill over looking Mittlewihr and Riqwihr. At about 8PM, we took in a lot of artillery fire
and some flares were shot above our positions. It was teeth chattering cold so we gathered brush to camoflauge our positions. At about one AM, Several of the
enemy came walking right among our foxholes. One shot several bursts of machine pistol fire right at the brush around my position. I,or anyone else in the area
could have shot this guy easily but we were all new to this type of combat. I was convinced then as well as now that these Germans were on meth. The History
Channel confirmed what I thought. Jay D. Baxter PS: Pardon the typing. I bought a new Apple (MAC) computer and can't get use to the new keyboard. You
can't teach old dogfaces new tricks. PS2: A day or so later, I told the company Commander that I was trained as an Anti-Tank man and had a lot of
experience with machine guns. He transferred me to the Machine gun section of the 4th platoon where I remained until after the end of the war. Evidently, the
machine gun section had had several casualties before this.
0 Kudo
My First Night in a rifle platoon
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 semallon |
My First Night in a rifle platoon |
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Posts: 56 (06/05/08 22:46:15) |
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semallon |
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Posts: 57 (06/05/08 22:52:39) |
The noncoms all had Thompson Sub Machine Guns. They had had a few weeks more of combat than us greenies and I would expect them to get the drugged Krauts.
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stever126 |
Your Battles | ||
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Posts: 106 (06/06/08 21:51:13) |
Gentlemen,
It's been a while since I've posted here, but I'm always checking this forum and still get messages from my good friends Gerome and Patti ! Your messages about the battles at Mittlewihr and Riqwihr are special to me. My uncle an original T-Patcher from 1940, Clarence Schaeg, was KIA on the Dec 12th and the infiltartion of enemy troops was listed in the After Batlle Reports and on his IPDF. It clearly states the ranks were infiltrated by about 1,000 Officers Candidates. He was one of 6 KIA and 3 WIA on that morning while serving with the Cannon Co 141st. Also KIA were men from HDQ Co and Anti Tank Co. Your post is one of the few I've read stating the enemy walked into your foxholes. I'm wondering if you recall the date being 12/12/1944. Do you think Cannon Co was brought up to help guard HDQ that terrible morning ? I've been told it was hand to hand desperation and hell on earth. My thanks and admiration to you brave soldiers. Steve Schaeg |
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semallon |
First Night in a Rifle Platoon | ||
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Posts: 58 (06/07/08 10:40:21) |
I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Our foxholes were about 10 yards apart. Yes, the enemy,crazed with meth., walked among our foxholes. They fired in
some. As privates, we waited for the noncoms to tell us what to do but got no instructions. At that time, the antitank and cannon companies were used as
riflemen. I would suspect that Your Uncle's unit was involved as infantrymen. About a week earlier, my antitank platoon was sent to provide security for
some combat engineers. When we arrived, we were told that we were to attack one or more machine gun positions that were firing on the engineers. The engineers
had a tank dozer which was trying to clear trees which were fallen across the road to prevent our convoy from moving ahead. This is when Lt. Dixie Davis was
killed. About 2 days later, I was transfered to Company B due to heavy casualties among the rifle companies. I resented this because I had to lose a bunch of
great friends. The rifle companies had been in combat since August 15 and were exhausted, having seen many KIA and badly wounded. Quite a few had gone AWOL or
desserted. The fighting around Rickwihr and Mittlewihr was the worst any of us had seen since leaving Italy. It was said that the enemy had an artillery shell
factory in Colmar and were using every thing they had before retreating across the Rhine. I don't know whether this was true or not but none of us had ever
seen so much enemy artillery coming our way. Jay D.Baxter
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stever126 |
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Posts: 107 (06/07/08 12:09:27) |
Mr. Baxter,
Yes, I have been told that his unit was probably utilized as a rifleman due to hand to hand fanatical battles. The Germans were doing everything possible to stop us at the gates to Germany. My uncle trained and fought for 4 years to beat the enemy and died at the entrance. A footnote: On Dec 6th he was busted down to Private, not even PFC, from Sargent. He was KIA on the 12th. Even tho he was a true battlehard veteran from Oran, and Italy. The thing that bothers me is on his tombstone it states "Private". It seems that he was a brave, yet raw rookie out of boot camp, yet he fought for all that time. It just bothers me that's all. You have been a great help confirming this battle. "Greg Colmar" is one of the best references regarding the Colmar Pocket and Selestadt. His father fought there too. Best Regards To All, Steve
Last Edited By: stever126
06/07/08 12:15:59.
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Longhorn92 |
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Posts: 58 (06/07/08 22:06:43) |
Thanks for your post, Mr. Baxter. I've posted these pictures before but I like to repost them when the subject comes up.
This is a shot of the Vosges, I think near Mittelwihr and Bennwihr. 
This is a hill right behind Mittelwihr. I think it may be Hill 251 but I was never sure. 
This is the Mittelwihr/Bennwihr/Riquewihr area but since I took the picture from a distance I can't recall the exact towns. 
The entrance to Mittelwihr. A lady we met was a child during the Winter of '44 and recalled the horrific fighting. She told us the town was literally destroyed and had to be completely rebuilt after the war. 
Entering Riquewihr. 
The wine road towns, fought over in December '44. My grandfather was wounded here December 15th. 
Joe Grandson of Arthur S. De Santos C Co 141st Inf Oct '44-Dec'45
Last Edited By: Longhorn92
06/07/08 22:22:57.
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semallon |
Mittlewihr | ||
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Posts: 60 (06/26/08 13:29:33) |
The Army did funny things in those days. His headstone should show his highest rank. Jay D. Baxter
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Gerome vosges moutains |
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Posts: 70 (06/26/08 13:48:16) |
Hey Joe,
Very good pics ! and I hope to can meet you and Steve soon, and walk in the footsteps of your uncle and grandfather.... Gerome |
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semallon |
Cannon Co and Anti-tank Co. | ||
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Posts: 61 (07/01/08 23:44:37) |
Stever, I'm sorry to be so late in a complete answer. I had hernia surgery a couple of weeks ago so am behind on everything. Cannon Companies and Anti-Tank
units were often used to guard Battalion and Regimental Headquarters. We had Artillery units, 4.2 Mortar units, etc. With all of this back-up, the headquarters
units used these people to protect them. It would be disasterous to have the people in charge of Battalion Hdq. over run. German tanks had very thick armor and
in many situations they could go right through our infantry and cause hell in the rear. I don't remember anything specific about the date 12/12/1944. Just
that we were fighting the Colmar Pocket and it was pure Hell. About a week later, we were sent to the great city of Strausbourg which was frontline but quite
inactive with the Rhine River separating us from the enemy. On most nights, patrols were sent across the river in boats to keep the enemy on edge. None made it
to the German side. When fired upon, they started the motors on their boats and if not hit, they made it back. Jay D. Baxter
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