American soldiers stationed at Garmisch-Partenkirchen on April 30, 1945
U.S. Army's Cactus Division Makes Significant Progress in Austria
In the final stages of the war in Europe, the 103rd Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Cactus Division," of the U.S. Army is making substantial progress in their advance towards Austria. The 411th Regiment, a part of this division, is currently situated near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, having recently crossed the first Alps and moving towards the second.
According to Herbert Rothschild, a member of the 411th Regiment, the Allies are encountering little resistance from the German forces. This is consistent with Rothschild's earlier reports of the German army surrendering en masse. The Allies' convoys, consisting of numerous tanks and trucks, are heading south towards Innsbruck, not Munich, as initially planned.
The advance of the 411th Regiment is marked by close infantry combat, coordination with artillery and armored units, and overcoming natural obstacles in the Alps. The regiment moved through challenging alpine terrain, often making use of mountain warfare tactics suitable for the rugged environment.
The German army's surrender is ongoing in mass, as reported by Rothschild. The 411th Regiment was recently photographed near Garmisch-Partenkirchen with a captured swastika flag, symbolising their victories in the region.
The weather conditions in the area are harsh, with heavy snowfall resembling mid-January conditions. Despite this, the Allies are pushing forward, determined to secure key locations like Innsbruck and hasten the end of the war.
The 103rd Division's advance is part of the broader effort of the U.S. Seventh Army to secure southern Germany and western Austria, cutting off German retreat routes and capturing strategic locations. The division linked up with other Allied units as the Third Reich collapsed in early May 1945.
For more detailed dates or unit-level operational details, records or after-action reports from the 103rd Infantry Division would be the primary source.
Historically, the capture of the swastika flag by the 411th Regiment signifies their significant victories in the sports arena of war, specifically in the region of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Allies' convoys, including tanks and trucks, are still pushing south towards Innsbruck, playing out a strategic sports match in the final stages of the war in Europe.
