[Continued from previous page] And sporting a few more gray hairs. Huge concentrations of enemy vehicles were spotted across the Moselle & Sauer Rivers behind the Sigfried lines this morning by our air craft.1The Siegfried Line or the “Westwall” was a German defensive line along the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium,Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland. The defensive system was created originally as part of the Hindenburg Line during World War I, but was extended and added to during World War II. The Germans relied heavily on “dragons teeth” which were large, triangular concrete chunks used to derail tanks, large ditches, minefields, and anti‐tank barriers which were all placed strategically along the Siegfried Line. Goetz goes into detail about the appearance of the Siegfried line in his February 21 diary entry. Goetz also included a 7‐page typescript marked “Secret”, re: “Siegfried Line” with his diary entry from February 16, 1945. See Appendix, Insert 38.
. Charles MacDonald, The Siegfried Line Campaign (Washington D.C.: 1990) pp. 3‐14. They have attacked continuously today using machine guns, Rockets, and bombs.
The score so far is:
2700 trucks and other vehicles destroyed
127 tanks destroyed
1000 Rail cars destroyed.
Not a bad days work.
It is obvious that this concentration of enemy transportation meant a wholesale withdrawal from the Ardennes Bulge, but whether it was intended to bolster the Russian front or to strike offensively at us is difficult to say, or rather was difficult to say.2Goetz, like the Allied commanders, took note of the massive buildup of German forces behind the
dense Ardennes forest covering eastern Belgium and Luxembourg. Like the Allied commanders, he failed to sense the major offensive that was imminent. Early in the morning of December 16, 1944, the Germans launched their last major offensive of the war, which would become known as the Battle of the Bulge. Rick Atkinson, The Guns at Last Light, pp. 412, 421. It will do neither now. I’ve picked this book from off the floor twice since writing today’s events. I may have to finish this page in the cellar if the Jerries continue to interrupt. The concussion from the explosions both yesterday and today is tremendous. The damage to homes and property is also enormous but in a military sense. Their shelling has availed them little. Our morale is still high (the Russians are still advancing) and the Russian armies are now only 165 miles from Berlin. Our food has been rather good (whenever it wasn’t ‘C’ rations) and the cooks managed to give us biscuits and donuts. Several enemy aircraft have flown within view of the gun sections but were careful to keep well out of range. The German High Command must have had access to our firing records. I hit the sack at 2200.
Page 27
Wednesday, 13 December, 1944
Inserts
This is an Einkellerungsschein, a certificate issued to Albert Wilmes in order to receive 330 pounds of potatoes, valid only in Luxembourg until 30th of March 1943. Potatoes were delivered to cities by trucks in huge amounts and kept in cellars – Keller in German – and issued out to people by use of official certificates such as this. The certificate reads:
“Issuing Office: Manternach Name of Customer: Albert Wilmes
City: Berburg Street:
Attention. This card is to be handed over to the supplier. They may only deliver after they receive the card. Invalid without signature. May not be reused.”
Throughout the Nazi occupation of Luxembourg, most food grown and processed in the country was appropriated by the German Army, and the people of Luxembourg were forced to endure the Nazi administration of a system of food rationing. Luxembourgians struggled to survive with the meager food allowance they were given. Potatoes became the main staple of their wartime diet.
Einkellerungsschein Reverse
A German Rentenmark, or temporary legal tender issued in 1923 and used up until 1948 to ease
hyperinflation. This one Rentenmark bill was issued in January 1937.
Rentenmark Reverse