Merderet Winter

09.07.1944

A devastating ten days of combat around Neaville leaves the 353. Infanterie-Division little choice but to withdraw from the front line to resupply and rebuild. In our absence, the 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg" have established command over Neaville with the intention of holding that valuable ground as long as possible.

Our final act was to sweep the area of British infantry and eliminate their only known field encampment. This endeavor proved successful, at a high cost. In any case, our Frundsberg allies now have a clear field of operations.


13.10.1944

Our Division has returned to its training ground, and we are in the process of resupplying our forces.

The Panzerjäger-Abteilung is receiving delivery of a substantial number of Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G vehicles over the coming month. The training of Grenadiere continues at a slow pace; most Rekruten are transported straight into the battered divisions tenuously holding their ground in Normandy. Nonetheless, the arrival of armor is an omen that we may see combat again soon.

To speak of the battle-weary divisions would be to also speak of the 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg". Our oft-absent allies in the Neaville area have been the source of rumors about possible surrender. It is unfortunate that ground we fought so viciously for could be lost by another division.


03.11.1944

Neaville is lost. Frundsberg has withdrawn what little it could from the area, leaving it to the British Army. The 10. SS-Pz.Div. will not be seeing action again for quite some time.

We received word that we will be seeing the battlefield again in a few weeks. The Luftwaffe is not likely to support our operations in the next theater of combat: they are barely able to get off of the ground. OKW has assured us that we will not be contending with RAF aircraft in the coming battle, though, so we can only hope measures have been taken to secure the area against air intrusion.

It has been a cold day.


27.11.1944

Our StuG IIIs have been loaded onto trains, and we are making our way west through France.

OKW has finally saw fit to reveal our destination: a hilly region surrounding the banks of the Merderet River. They say snow has already started piling up there in earnest. And yet we are still wearing our standard uniforms! And our vehicles retain summer camouflage! While expressing these and other frustrations to an enlisted man, he merely retorted, "I was on the Ostfront, this is nothing." Why even bother?

The British Army has been making their way towards the River, in the meantime. OKW expects we will have some time at the beginning of December to fortify the region before a British offensive begins in earnest.

A day has been set to meet with other Offiziere and Unteroffiziere of the Division. The report from OKW describes the conditions as "Clear and sunny". Optimistic weather in which to plan and dig towards a prolonged conflict.