Artillery Penetration of Pillboxes

[Frenchy]

FYI - actual comments from 274th Inf Regt, 70th Div AAR for March 1945...

"The 3d Bn consolidated positions during the night of March 14-15 and made preparation for continuing the attack in the morning. The companies moved out at 0700 March 15 to continue clearing the enemy resistance south of the SAAR RIVER. All companies received heavy machine gun and rifle fire throughout the day from both south of the SAAR RIVER and also from pillboxes and emplacements across the river (SIEGFRIED LINE). The Regt spent the evening and night preparing to continue vigorous attack on the enemy. During the night of March 15-16 the 1st Bn withdrew to set up defensive positions. All companies remained in position the remainder of the day receiving small arms fire from the enemy. Capt Ernest G. Murphy, S-3 1st Bn, called on heavy artillery (8" and 155mm how) to destroy enemy installations to the front of 1st Bn sector. The 882d F.A. Bn at 1630 reported results of mission requested by Capt. Murphy. They fired 44 rounds of 155mm gun making 3 hits but no appreciable damage was done; 84 rounds of 155mm How were fired making 20 hits on pillboxes, most of these ricocheted off; the 8 inch guns fired 32 rounds making 7 hits with one penetration."

Tough pillboxes!