Posted by Allan Wilford Howerton This was one of the most heavily defended portions of the Siegfried Line as it protected the approaches to the Roer River. The area was not secured until early December after the fall of the key town of Lindern and other nearby villages. Sgt. Ras’ last days, and that of others who lost their lives there, would have quite miserable: mud, cold rain, periodic heavy fighting, under intermittent artillery fire, and persistent German counterattacks at various points along the line. The battle actions in that area are described in detail in the division history, "The 84th Infantry Division in the Battle of Germany" by Lt. Theodore Draper. My memoir, "Dear Captain, et al.: the Agonies and the Ecstasies of War and Memory, a Memoir from World War II," portrays the circumstances in the area from the viewpoint of one rifle company (Company K, 335th Infantry) during the battle for Lindern, November 29-December 2, 1944.
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on May 18, 2005, 3:50 pm, in reply to "Tech Sgt John A. Ras"
Message modified by board administrator May 18, 2005, 3:56 pm
The division, in its first combat commitment of the war, entered defensive positions around Geilenkirchen in the Siegfried Line on November 9/10, 1944. Company C-333 was the first unit of the division to take up positions during the evening of November 9. Offensive action to close what was known as the Geilenkirchen salient was launched on November 18. Geilenkirchen, the largest town in the area, was taken on November 19. T/Sgt. Ras lost his life as the offensive moved on beyond Geilenkirchen toward the villages of Suggerath and Mullendorf. 73
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