16-255 Garand Picture of the Day

**Mark in Rochester** · 11-29-2016 06:49 AM

US M1 Garand found on Hill 358.1 (Note clip still in place)

After-Action Report – 57 Years Later
The 70th Infantry Division & Operation Northwind
Actions in the vicinity of Philippsbourg, France
By LTC Glenn Callihan, USA icon

Hill 358.1 (Page 18, #15) - 1/276:

General Description: This hill is long and narrow. It is really more of a northern extension to Hill 403 than a separate terrain feature. It slopes downward from Hill 403 for about 600 meters and ends at the crest with a commanding 180 degree view of the woods below. There are many downed trees all over this position and there is a small fenced off tree farm between this hill and Hill 403. The terrain to the west (heading toward Hill 415) drops off sharply and there are a number of foxholes in this area. The eastern side has a gentler slope.

Impressions: A battle was fought for and on this hill. I sincerely wish that I could do the veterans who fought here the justice that they deserve. If I fail to impress upon you the severity of what must have happened on this hill, then it is entirely my fault…not that of the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 276th Infantry Regiment who fought here. I found a large variety of German and American items on this hill. As stated earlier, German soldiers rarely left anything behind unless it was taken from them by force. A lot of force must have been used on this position. The only thing that I can do is to describe some of the things that I found here and let those relics speak for themselves.

Items Found: It took many trips to this hill to find all of the items that I am about to describe. At the widest, highest part (southern most area) I found a German MP44 magazine (fully loaded), US M1 ammunition (clips and loose) and a German MG 42 machine gun barrel. There are many US foxholes in this area. Coming north a little further, I found several US hand-grenades, clips of ammunition and the bolt to a German K98 icon

rifle. A little to the east on the military crest of the hill was a mound of small boulders. In that area was a German helmet and another MG 42 machine gun barrel. Further north, I found a US canteen that was made in 1918. This is a different type then used during WWII so I can only assume that it was used by an "old soldier." Nearby was a US mess-kit spoon.

Further to the north, as the hill begins to narrow and come to the end, I found two US M1 Garand rifles. They were about 50 meters apart. I have to take a moment to discuss the significance of this. Most items that I found over the years are things that can easily get lost in the heat of battle. A rifle, however, is something that an Infantryman never, ever lets out of his grasp. It is the reason that he is at that spot in a dark, snow-covered French icon

forest in the first place. He does not let go of it unless something very unpleasant has happened to him. The original owners of both these rifles were killed, wounded or captured in those positions. The first rifle is badly damaged with the entire slide connecting to the bolt ripped off (probably by artillery fire). The bolt is closed, indicating that a bullet is still in the chamber. The wood is all gone but I found the butt plate in place, about a foot away. The second rifle is totally intact with a full clip still in place. The butt plate, also a foot away still has about six inches of wood on it. I am proud to say that both rifles are back where they belong (in the United States), have been cleaned of rust (see pictures) and will soon be put in a display case where everyone who sees them will learn about the 70th Infantry Division.

Moving toward the crest of the hill, I found a foxhole that contained twenty-five 60mm mortar shells. In the vicinity were a few more mortar shells, some anti-tank rifle grenades and two US hand-grenades. About 25 meters west on the slope of the hill was a German K98 rifle with several stripper clips of unfired bullets nearby. The bolt of this rifle was fully open and to the rear…indicating that the German soldier was either trying to reload or holding the rifle up to indicate to a Trailblazer that his rifle was not loaded.

In other areas of this hill, I found another German helmet, a pair of US wire-cutters and more rifle ammunition. I also found a German canteen. One side is completely ripped open, probably by a glancing shot from an M1 rifle.

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