“GIs Leave Dillingen as Conquerors”: Part 1.

A while back, we brought you an interesting World War II period newspaper clipping on the 90th Infantry Division at the Battle of Dillingen, Germany (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). Eureka! We just came across another one. This one is titled, “GIs Leave Dillingen as Conquerors: Bought City With Bravery and Pain,” and was written by Jimmie Cannon, a Stars and Stripes staff writer. Because the article is long, I will bring it to you in three installments. Enjoy.

“WITH THE AMERICAN FORCES, Dec. 22 (Delayed) – The fury of the demolition in Dillingen caused sudden and unnatural tides to churn the Saar. The flames of burning buildings rose straight and tall above the ruins like the spires of many churches. The snow fell gently as the deserted city burned into oblivion.

“The modern industrial metropolis on the Saar was dynamited and set afire by the angry men of a famous Infantry Division who withdrew across the river by night after fighting in its houses and streets for 16 days.

“They had purchased this real estate with bravery and skill of arms and stealth of movement; with hunger and thirst; with the pain of cold and the misery of clothes always wet by rain. But now they were bilked out of their victory by the shifting of the frontiers of war; commanded to abandon Dillingen after they had taken it. They withdrew as conquerors.”

…to be continued