[Continued from previous page] Up at 0600. Had breakfast at 0730. Visited the Zigfried [Siegfried] line today.1 The 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. It was a tough nut to crack and it is easy to see why. Pill Boxes are everywhere but difficult to see because of the natural growth covering each one. They are so placed as to be mutually supporting. Most of them have wire communication, many have trench communication. Each Pill box is further supported by fox holes, dug outs and M.G. emplacements to oppose our infantry. Also there is a sprinkling of anti-tank guns to stop our armored stuff. As a finishing touch they sunk tanks into the ground so only their guns were visible behind a line of tank obstacles consisting of mine fields, dragons teeth (reinforced concrete), steel crosses and large pilings driven into the ground. They had a right to be confident but they underestimated us. Plenty of planes again today. One German plane (fighter) came messing around but our pursuit planes soon had him high tailing for home.
Went to BN this afternoon to testify at a court martial, had a rough ride because of the roads. They have no bottom in some places. Worked on maps late this evening. Hit the sack at 2200.
Thursday, 22 February [1945] Auw, Germany
Up at 0700. Our PX rations arrived today: 7 PKS. cig, 7 candy bars, 1 pkg. gum, (no cigars). A rather uneventful day. Weather was clear and warm. 4000 planes were over Germany today. The days are becoming noticeably longer. We should begin an all out Spring offensive soon. Wrote one letter today. Hit the sack at 2200.
