Carroll H. Dunn
the field jackets and overcoats that were issued were really not the answer-field
jackets were good fighting clothing but didn't provide sufficient warmth, and the
overcoats were just too bulky to wear in combat. You need something light and yet
with protection against the cold, and with pockets that are reachable when in full gear.
Q ..
The journal noted the demonstration of a new antitank grenade that the British had
developed-the gamman grenade. Do you recall this?
A ..
I have a vague recollection but remember no details at this time.
Q ..
I was wondering if it had been
A ..
We (primarily the infantry but in a few cases engineers) did use the bazooka round,
which has been developed as an effective antitank weapon.
Q ..
It had been
during the course of the war?
A ..
It had been developed before we went into France. We also, for the only time in my
memory, during the Battle of the Bulge prepared defensive antitank and antivehicular
obstacles by blowing down trees in the forest and by digging some short stretches of
antitank ditch.. As defensive measures, so far as I can remember, other than mines, none
obstacles were ever really tested by the German attacks since we were on the
flanks and the major effort or attack was to the south and to the west. After the first
few days, we did not come in contact with major first-line German units.
Q ..
Was that kind of defensive activity something that the troops would have been trained
for?
A ..
Yes, that had been covered in training, although it hadn't been used in quite sometime.
Both the junior officers and the noncommissioned officers had been trained and were
able to effectively carry out their assignments.
Q ..
When you went back into Germany, at the beginning of February, 1945, do you recall
the feeling associated with returning to areas where you'd been before and were now
taking over again?
A
As I remember it, there was somewhat of a feeling of discomfort at the fact that we
were going back to where we had been before. The feeling was that the Germans had
learned well what our disposition was and that we might be somewhat more vulnerable
now. On the other hand, plans were being made for an attack to the east, including the
crossing of the Roer River. As I indicated previously, this was delayed and made much
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