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15. Nuremberg, Germany [Mission]

This is the fifteenth and final mission in a chronological series based on the real actions of the 7th Infantry Regiment throughout North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany, from 1942 to 1945. This map is dedicated to Private Henry Drauszewski, Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, who was killed in action on April 19th, 1945.

Notes:

-Most of the DLCs are required for this map and mission. It would have impossible to recreate the battle without most of the urban and Western European buildings and props.

-I made the map using a heightmap of the real city of Nuremberg. It is (somewhat) geographically accurate, but scaled way down, and I made adjustments to the layout to facilitate better movement.

-Weapons and environment are mostly historically accurate. I will update the mission later with more authentic squads and inventory.

-Since this is the final map of the series, I took my time on it and created a very large environment with many props. Let me know if you have performance issues and I can try to simplify the map.

-I am working on updates and new maps. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, friends.


Historical Info:

April 18th, 1945- Nuremberg, Germany

Following the Disaster at Utweiler, the 7th Infantry Regiment spearheaded the breakthrough at the Siegfried Line, then drove through Bavaria at a rapid pace. The Cottonbalers captured many small towns and villages before finally reaching Nuremberg in late April, 1945. The 3rd Infantry Division captured the city after a week-long fight, where the men found themselves fighting against old men, children, policemen, firefighters, and civilians, wresting each block one building at a time. It would be the last major battle of the war for the 3rd Infantry Division.

The First Battalion troops moved south from Wetzendorf and at 1300 launched an attack for Nuremberg. The troops advanced very slowly however due to heavy small arms, automatic and panzerfaust fire from the right flank across the Regnitz River. Overcoming the resistance before the city the First Battalion troops entered Nuremberg proper and became heavily engaged. Several road blocks were encountered along with fanatical resistance from each building and the enemy had to be cleared from each room of each building, which slowed progress. First Lieutenant Aldo F. Dal Molin of Company "B" and First Lieutenant Andrew A. Marek of Company "D" gallantly led elements of their companies in the fight and distinguished themselves. Tank destroyers were brought into action. About 150 members of the city's police force fought with the enemy soldiers and SS troopers to defend the Nazi shrine city but definitely did not care to continue the action to the bitter end. They surrendered after the destroyers of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion battered the already much destroyed buildings. The Second Battalion continued its push from Thon against fanatical resistance and entered Nuremberg proper on the 18th. Fire from small arms, automatic weapons, panzerfausts and "88's" was received from all sides. In a room to room battle in one apartment house fifty enemy gave up. In the vicinity of Ruckert Strasse the troops discovered a storeroom of enemy machine guns and pistols which they blew up with demolitions. Desperate measures were taken by the enemy to destroy the supporting armor which moved through the streets. Panzerfausts were fired from top-story floors and roof tops at the American armor. but to the sorrow of the enemy, as the armor would wheel and practically blow them into the sky with rapid fire. The Third Battalion on the Regiment's right also advanced into Nuremberg on the 18th and added its strength to the battle. The push down Ruckert Strasse was continued by the Second Battalion and at 0400, 19 April, forward elements reached the park near Wieland and Campe Routzer Strasses and the troops ran into a block covered by machine gun fire. Following rout of the enemy and removal of the block the troops advanced at dawn. Company "E", in the vicinity of Fromman Strasse became engaged in a stiff fight with enemy who were well emplaced along Graben Bucher Strasse behind the stone walls of the old city. The walls stood from ten to fifteen feet high and were twenty feet thick. A bitter fight was fought in the sector of Nuremberg being attacked by the Seventh Infantry on 19 April 1945. Fanatical SS troops battled the "Cotton Balers" fiercely but in the end were defeated.

At 0640, 20 April, a loud speaker system was set up in the Seventh Infantry zone and the following message was transmitted in German to the enemy within the old city of Nuremberg:

"Your city is completely surrounded and the old city has been entered in several places. People in the occupied part of the city are being treated humanely. Your unconditional surrender will be accepted under the following conditions: Raise white flags over the buildings and open all entrances to the inner city. Otherwise you will be destroyed. We will not wait, so act quickly. United States Allied Military Commander."

The enemy within the old city paid no heed to the broadcast. An M-12 assault gun of 155mm caliber, which operated with 3rd and 45th Infantry Divisions during the Battle of Nuremberg had been made available to the Seventh Infantry during the night. It was sent to the First Battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Wallace withdrew the First Battalion troops from the vicinity of the walls of the old city so the assault gun could fire direct at the wall and gates. Twenty rounds of the hard hitting big stuff were fired point-blank. But the old wall stood up under the terrific pounding with huge chips flying everywhere. But the Germans on the inside guarding the Johannis gate decided enough was enough. "Cotton Balers" made entrance to the old city through two small entrances on either side of the main vehicle entrance. Company "E" of the Second Battalion, in the most favorable position, rushed through, shortly after nine o'clock, and was followed by the Red Battalion troops. By noontime the "Cotton Balers" were in the famed Adolf Hitler Platz. Soon the 15th Infantry which captured the large castle to the north and the 30th Infantry, which Regiment entered the old city from the northeast, were contacted and resistance came to an end. Officially resistance was ended in the Third Infantry Division sector north of Pegnitz at 1400 on 20 April 1945.

ALLIES: Through Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany, it has been a long and bloody road. Crush the final fascist resistance here! Push through the farmland, outskirts, and city ruins, and eliminate all resistance within the old city center.

AXIS: This is our final stand against the invaders. Everyone must pitch in to defend the Fatherland! Keep the Americans away from the city center.

-Mo