OPERATION "JOSHUA" - MILITARY INFORMATION, NEUNKIRCHEN AREA.

Created: 1/24/1945

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

I'SECRET

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH ARMYAuth:TRATEGIC SERVICES SECTION nitials

APOARMYan 45

REF NO :

V 5

SUBJECT: Hllltarv Information, NEUNKIRCHEN Area. TO : Ses Distribution.

The following Information was eubmltted to the underelgnel ov an experienced SSS agent who, on speoial assignment

^SSriP egion and returned to the starting point at li'oo hrs Itinerary covered: He then returned retracingoute throughFORBACH back to SAARDRUCKEN and baok to MORSBACH. 8eo text for date of observation. , eave for estimated numbers given for troops.

I- FORBaCH to QRAHDE ROSELLE:

1. Between FORBACK and GRANDE ROSELLE trees are cut and lie across the road as blocks. There are concrete emplacements atd intervals which will serve as protection for one soldier with lid. Onndan these emplacements were unoccupied.

II- FORBACHSAARBRUCKEN ROriD:

8. Agent observed onan, on main roadust before the grade of SPICHERE HOHENluster of houses. There are four or five military staff carsonstant guard in front ofhouses..

otal ofoldiers In all seen on They were not in any formation, but were smallabout. Nonooms and officers carried pistols; EMbayonets and no rifles, Tho same aituation existed on

an.

Ill- SAAR3RUCKEN:

an approximatelyoldiers In town, butof Volkseturn, Techniohe, and Nothiffe, all oooupledup debris from bombing of the town. Volkssturmuniformed in field.graylue band on the leftwith the printing, VOLKSSTURM in red letters. Singleguards ars on all bridgesoldier paired offVolkssturm in eaoh lnstanoe. Situation unchangedan.

approved for1

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X!f'4ub'J= -Military (cont'd)

IV- ST INSERT

pcm PAXeenthe direction of SAARBRUCKEN. in the center of town thereordnance repair shoporkshops. K-IV'a werea repair shop andP guns in the yard in various stages

of

an, numerous soldiers in town (number not One lieutenant was observedumbernstraps,eath's dead on hie peakecl cap.

V- KIHKEL

vardsRKEL on the main) and cast of the road-in the forest, thereave which appears to be an ammo cache. The store isby barbed wire fencing and is guarded by soldiers. There does not seem to be AA protection. Five trucks were being loaded at time ofnd about the same num-ber onan.

VI- HOHBURG:

The town was filled with an0 troops onan. Agent says the sidewalks were so crowded, lt was necessary to walk in the streets to pass. All soldiers were in clean uniforms and were equipped with rifle, haversack, and eteel helmet. Branches of service.Represented were TD, inf. Panzer, and Marines. No Volkaeturm were ln the town. The majority of troops spokoavarian accent. The troope were commandeering transportation in the direction of 2tfEIBRUCKEN ABent sawrucks waiting to carry SS soldiers to BITChE. Less activity was observed onan.

Two officers were observedell insignia on the lower left sleeve:

10. Ontaff car was observed with the following insignia on the side. Car was haltedouseermanent guard.

htr, Hq 7thSS, dtdubj: Bllillte.rvNEUNKIRCHEN Area." (cont'd)

VIT- HOHBURQ NEUNKIRCHEN:

Onan,R underpass,etersestroyed barracks, betweenonlf-traok personnel carriers were observed. These vehlclos are In the woods under shelters. Thev wore still there onan.

n AT barricade constructed cf rails was observed on the side of the road where it was hold for future use.

Ated brick sheds haveotors from the last house in the town ateter Intervals along tho edge of the road4 whoro tho road curves. Tho tank shods are constructed in blocks capable ofankslock. Thorouoh blocks spaced as Indicated. K IV tanks were observed loavlng tho sheds or.an.

VIII- NEUHKIRCHEN;

Onananzer troops (various ranks) observed in tho town. Troops wore drossod In camouflaged tankers uniform. Thoy woro not equipped for travol. Troops were young and in good shape. The same numbor was observed onan.

A sign wao noted in town pointing toward OTT./EILLER reading, "SS

IX- OTTJEILaR:

anzer troops in town onan. They were also young and fresh troops dressed In camouflaged tankera uniform. It was not possible to see insignia markings as all soldiers wore their outer cape buttoned tight around the neck.

On oborgefrolter complained to the agent that his unit was bored with hanging around and doing nothing. Ho stated that his unit hadigers,anthers, andK IV'e.)

s eE T

nThcln to0 "glon of OTCsfflLER8 and signs posted reading "DAS BETRETEN BEDEUTET DEN TOD

'HOTYoJ WILL BE*

ITHOUT .WINING.) Guards in Pansor uniform are posted around these woods. Agont did not investigate further.

X- ST INSERTSAARBRUCKEN;

i* thoroactorv on tho oast aido of tho roadppears to bo working at full caoaoitv. Part

bs6nbv bombing, but this hS not it iiu Jh0 0PoraW<-ftho main part. Smoke is coming fromtaoks- military trucks were observed before tho factory onndan.

XI- GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ON AREA COVERED:

Thoroo train traffic throughout this region. All nJSiJ transport has been stopped by bombing. esult, on order has been Issued compelling all vehicles to pick up and glvo transport to all civilians travelling between the towns.

mining AU brldgcs in tnohave been prepared for For tho Commanding Officer:

S."lntMf

pluo

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Original document.

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