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Rittershoffen, Alsace, France 1945-01-17 (12 others)

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Overview:

During the first week of January, the 21st Panzer Division along with the 25th Panzergrenadier Division was ordered to penetrate the Maginot line defenses, close the American avenues from the Vosges Mountains, and sever lines of communication with Strasburg. During this action, both German divisions were stopped by the American 79th Infantry Division occupying the twin villages of Rittershoffen and Hatten. In this bloody eleven-day affair both sides displayed unusual determination in both attack and defense. At dawn on this day American forces, including elements of the 14th Armored Division, launched yet another attack to clear Rittershoffen. The attack gained some ground and in the process capture regimental and battalion staffs from the 25th Panzergrenadeir Division which were resting in the area. Oberstleutant Hans von Luck received the distress call and dispatched a kampfgruppe of reconnaissance troops and newly arrived Fallschirmjägers.

Defender: American (3rd Battalion, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division and CCB 14th Armored Division)  

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