Cart (0)Major Max Maurer sat quietly in his command-post, contemplating what the next day or two might bring. His command, “D” Company of 311 Panzergrenadier Battalion, 31 Panzergrenadier Brigade was as ready as he could have it. He was pleased with the calm professionalism his team had displayed during their deployment to Rotenburg, and for the seamless way his reinforcements had amalgamated into their new command. It spoke highly of the pre-war training the brigade and division had underwent, to prepare them for this moment.
The Soviets had predictably unleashed hell as they crossed the border into the Bundesrepublik Deutschland, and had penetrated deep into the 1st German and 1st Netherlands Corps areas. The Dutch in particular had taken significant losses but were still holding out in key areas, while other elements of 11th Panzergrenadier Division were also being pressed hard. Max knew he had to hold Rotenburg at all costs, to prevent a complete Soviet breakout to the west and to allow heavy US reinforcements to arrive and prepare to reinforce NATO units in Northern Germany.
