| Original caption: “Two anti-tank Infantrymen of the 101st Infantry Regiment, dash past a blazing German gasoline trailer in square of Kronach, Germany.” 2 American soldiers race through the Marktplatz Kronach (today Lucas-Cranach-Straße). A Nazi German sniper as fired on a trailer full of gasoline, as the infantrymen move to search the surrounding buildings. Note the white sheets hanging from the windows. The building to the right, at 3 Garküche, still stands; otherwise this entire view has changed with new construction. The United States Army 101st Infantry Regiment (not to be confused with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division) was attached to the 26th “Yankee” Infantry Division, United States 3rd Army. Combat Command A (CCA) was assigned the task of seizing Neustadt, Kronach, Kulmbach; assisting CC B in seizing Bayreuth; and maintaining lateral contact with the 26th Infantry Division. A verbal order issued to major units of the 11th Armored Division at 1300 Hours on April 11, outlined the plan for renewal of attack. CCA was ordered to bypass Neustadt and advance in its zone to capture Kronach and establish a bridgehead across the Hasslach River. While the column turned up the smdl valley toward Kronach, Cavalry elements attacked defended roadblocks in Kups which threatened the East flank. Infantry Task Force Hearn, in the lead, reached the outskirts of Kronach at 1320 Hours and Tank Task Force Wingard, following, cleared several towns along the route. After clearing Kronach of a few isolated defenders at 1500 Hours, Task Force Hearn seized intact a vital bridge across the Hasslach River and captured 60 prisoners in addition to a German Army hospital housing 600 wounded Wehrmacht personnel. Following artillery fire that left the town blazing. Cavalry elements entered Kups at 1515 Hours. At 1630 Hours, this strong point was reported clear and 53 enemy soldiers captured. For extra security and to acquire favorable terrain for continuation of the attack. Division ordered CCA to seize the dominating wooded hills Southeast of Kronach. This mission was accomplished by 1815 Hours, with the fall of Weissenbrunn. At 1645 Hours, the Combat Command A Headquarters had been established at Schmolz. A Task Force from Combat Command R (CCR) relieved the elements of CCA holding Kronach at 2215 Hours, allowing the command to consolidate and prepare for the following day. CCR followed CCA from the Wohlsbach-Oberlauter area at 0930 Hours. Elements occupying Neustadt were relieved by the 71st Infantry Division at 1000 Hours. Mopping up towns passed through by other elements of the division and clearing bypassed enemy pockets, the Command cut across via Emberg and Gross Gernstadt, rejoining the Combat Command B (CCB) axis at Eberdorf about 1310 Hours. Closing in on Ebersdorf, the command was ordered to clear surrounding towns and woods for the emplacement of the 410th Field Artillery Group in the event of heavy opposition from Kronach. While clearing the area, the 42nd Tank Battalion discovered 9 Panzerkampfwagen IV, 1 Panzerkampfwagen V “Panther,” and Panzerkampfwagen VI “Tiger” tanks abandoned in a wooded area, all of which were destroyed by fire and demolitions. Without a single casualty, the command captured 26 Prisoners of War and killed at least 6 enemy soldiers. Technician 4th Class Warren J. Rothenberger (March 6, 1922 – January 31, 2005), 39th Signal Company, 26th Infantry Division, took this photo under fire. He documented the 3rd Army advance in Spring 1945. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0848.jpg |
| Image Size | 658.95 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2916 x 2251 |
| Photographer | Warren J. Rothenberger |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | March 14, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Kronach |
| State or Province | Bavaria |
| Country | Germany |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-111-SC-206235 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database