Pillbox Busters: Dillingen, Germany (Part 3)
October 6, 2011
Posted in 90th Infantry Division, Dillingen Germany, Siegfried Line, World War II
Tags: 90th Infantry Division, Dillingen Germany, Siegfried Line, World War II
Back again, for another installment of a fantastic period piece from World War II, and the Battle of Dillingen, Germany. The original article, titled, “Yank ‘Pillbox Busters’ Blast Big Holes in Siegfried Line,” was authored by Pierre J. Huss, traveling with the 90th Infantry Division. After presenting portions of the rather long article last week, in Part 1, and earlier this week, in Part 2, we bring you Part 3. The conclusion will follow next Tuesday. We resume with the words of 90th Infantry Division soldier, Sgt. Joseph Williams of Kansas City, Kansas, shortly after coming off line from the battle.
“‘…My bunch actually penetrated to a road leading into hills back of Dillingen and found ourselves amidst a dozen pillboxes. It seemed they could draw a complete circle of fire around us if all fired simultaneously our way. In such cases our commander tells us which ones to get busy on. Artillery usually pounds bunkers farther ahead to keep them buttoned up.
“‘Ordinarily,’ Williams continued. ‘two of us guys start edging up on the blind side of the pillbox. Each one carries 18 pounds of special explosives. Within 50 to 25 yards of the goal one of us takes all the explosives and crawls on his belly or races toward the pillbox.
“‘A second man covers him with rifle fire although the enemy usually is kept pretty busy otherwise. As soon as the pillbox is reached he slaps the explosives against the steel entrance door or into an embrasure and ducks away after pulling the fuse.
“‘My experience has been that one charge is sufficient to knock out a pillbox. For example, yesterday we tackled one with nine Germans inside. Three were killed from the blast. A lieutenant was blinded. Five came out and surrendered. It takes 10 to 15 minutes from the time we rush the pillbox to frisking the prisoners.’”
… to be continued.
I am seeking info regarding Pfc. Elmer O, Jones, reported MIA in 12-12-1944, via letter to his parents. He was with Company I, 359th Infantry Regiment. His apparent number was 38565659. He was born in Allen, OK. I am his niece. thanks you for any assistance you can provide. The War Dept. reported to my grandparents, his parents, that following a battle near Dillegen, the pillbox where he and fellow soldiers had been, was completely empty, in short, nor bodies. Is it possible to ever find these ‘missing’ soldiers? Any record of them being marched off to another country, etc.?