242 Infantry Regiment (USA) through the Siegfried LIne 1b

At 0645 on March 15 the Rainbow attack began and the men of the 242nd and 222nd Infantry Regiments smashed into the prepared defenses in the Hardt Mountains in an assault which began without an artillery preparation and which took the Germans by complete surprise.

After moving forward with almost no initial opposition the 222nd Infantry met heavy resistance about 2,000 yards in front of its former lines at Hills 384 and 402. For five hours a stubborn enemy held up the Regiment's advance but a flanking maneuver and an assault finally overcame the enemy and the advance continued. The 242nd Infantry encountered extensive minefields and also received small arms and mortar fire which slowed its advance in the early stages of the attack. It continued to move ahead steadily, however, and
by nightfall had captured the town of Baerenthal. Both regiments made total grains of approximately 6,000 yards that first day. When uncovered by the 242nd Infantry, dismounted elements of the 11 7th Cavalry advanced 1,000 yards on the Division's left flank but mounted units were unable to push forward as all roads were blocked by mines, trees or craters.