INTERVIEW

Major Donald J. Breen, Assistant G-3, 8th Armored Division, 1900 hours,
25 March 1945, Grefrath, Germany, to Capt. Vasta.

The zone of operation assigned to the 8th Armored Division in its dash to the Rhine River was quite narrow. Between the towns of Wegberg and Lobberich the division had only one axial road thereby hampering the freedom of movement so essential to an armored thrust. The condition of the terrain was such as to prohibit cross-country movement.

On March 2, CCB, coming up behind CCA, was instructed to try to work its way by way of side roads to the left flank of CCA, thus putting both combat commands on the line. Despite all its efforts to do so, CCB was unable to find roads that would permit it to move to the left flank of CCA. In the meanwhile, CCR, coming up from the rear of the division, was successful in working its way to CCA's right flank and getting a zone of action.

Since CCB was fresh and ready to go, General Devine directed that CCB pass through CCA and take up the offensive. The details of this move were arranged between General Colson, CG, CCA and Colonel Kimball, CO, CCB, who met in the town of Wachtendonk. CCA yielded its zone to CCB on 2 March 1945.

It was very disappointing to the division when they were pinched out by the 35th Infantry Division on the left flank (east) and the 84th Infantry Division on the right flank (west-east). The division was finally in a zone wide enough and with sufficiently good road nets so that the combat commands could operate freely. The division was moving very rapidly through disorganized resistance at the time the restraining order was received.