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13. Colmar Pocket [Mission]

This is the thirteenth mission in a chronological series based on the real actions of the 7th Infantry Regiment throughout North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany, from 1942 to 1945. This map is dedicated to Private First Class Gilbert J. Hinrichs, Medical Detachment, 7th Infantry Regiment, who was killed in action on January 23rd, 1945.

Notes:

-I made the map using a heightmap of the area surroinding Ostheim, France. It is (somewhat) geographically accurate, but scaled way down, and I made adjustments to the layout to facilitate better movement.

-Weapons and environment are mostly historically accurate. I will update the mission later with more authentic squads and inventory.

-The U.S. infantry are dressed in the game's USMC green uniform. This is the closest substitute for what should be the U.S. Army M43 uniform. The real clothing for this battle should be winter white smocks, called "spook suits," and white helmet covers.

-I am working on updates and new maps. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, friends.


Historical Info:

January 23rd, 1945- Ostheim, France

The 7th Army, in the push to Strasbourg in late 1944, bypassed a pocket of German forces in the French city of Colmar and the surrounding plain. By December, the Germans had reinforced the "Colmar Pocket," leaving it only partially contained by French forces. The 3rd Infantry Division was moved south to deal with the pocket in December 1944. After some light fighting throughout January, the 7th Infantry Regiment launched an offensive into the pocket on January 23rd, 1945, in an effort to wipe the last German resistance from Alsace-Lorraine.

The Second Battalion, which had closed in to its forward assembly area at 2200 on 22 January, was ordered to "cross the river over bridges "Red" and "Blue'' and carry out its assigned mission. By 230140 all Second Battalion troops were across the river and were moving to the south. At 0435 the forward elements were at the southern edge of the Foret Communale de Colmar. Company "E" pushed on across the flat, open, snow-covered terrain separating the Foret Communale de Colmar from the Bois dit de Rothleible, and encountered concentrated enemy automatic fire. In the early morning the point-blank fire of about one hundred Germans equipped with rifles and an estimated twenty machine guns wounded approximately thirty members of Company "E". Captain James F. Powell rallied the scattered elements of "Easy" Company. Artillery fire was directed on the enemy positions. Following a reorganization of Company "E", that rifle unit with Company "G" abreast of it, made a second attack for the Second Battalion across the snow-covered tableland.

Twenty-five casualties were suffered by Company "G" but due much to the courage and skill of its commanding officer the company continued forward. The light machine gun sections set up bases of fire as the riflemen of "George" Company assaulted the hostile positions. In one instance the platoon led by First Lieutenant McKane overran enemy positions during a fire fight at point blank range, killed six Germans and captured twelve others, including a mortar observation group and four machine guns intact. The resolute attack of Companies "E" and "G" overran the enemy emplacements and resulted in the killing of forty Germans, the capture of thirty others and the withdrawal of other enemy from the area.

Enemy forces, which had been routed by the Third Battalion during its move through the Foret Communal de Colmar during the night, infiltrated through Second Battalion rear elements and caused enough alarm and diversion to upset the plans of the Regimental commander. Company "F" and other elements of the Second Battalion had to turn and attack the enemy within their midst. Sharp small arms and machine gun battles were fought before the Second Battalion forces were able to wipe out the enemy pockets of resistance. The northern sector of the Bois dit de Rothleible was cleared of all resisting enemy at noontime of 23 January. Because of the opposition encountered by Companies "E" and "G" and the infiltration of the other enemy forces into the rear elements of the battalion, the Second Battalion did not proceed with as much speed as was hoped. In fact it was necessary for a reorganization of the battalion during the afternoon.

ALLIES: Company E must break through the defenses on the left. Company B must clear the town of Ostheim, with Company G moving down the middle for support. Push on until you have secured the Chateau de Schoppenwihr.

AXIS: This is our last foothold west of Germany! Defend in depth, and protect your strong points from withering attacks on the flanks. The enemy mustn't break through.

-Mo