In the spring of 1944, the Division was moved to southern France and enjoyed a period of occupation duty near the Spanish border. Like most German units in France during this timeframe, the 272nd was eventually drawn into the Normandy battles; Grenadier Regiment 980 arrived on July 13, 1944, after a harrowing journey from the Mediterranean coast.
Combat in Normandy was especially intense. After the beaches were captured, the Allies pushed inland only to be confronted with huge walls of shrubbery known as hedgerows. The Germans realized the tactical importance of this geographic feature and began exploiting it early on giving them a decisive advantage. They dug hidden trenches connecting adjacent hexes as well as preparing strongpoints in the corners giving them a maximum field of fire. The Regiment was also heavily engaged in the fighting around the cities Caen and Lisieux (twice receiving praise in official Army communiques) . Stabs./GR980 was engaged in direct and furious combat throughout the campaign while still effectively conducting administrative duties. In Auguist 1944 the German front collapsed, leaving a large number of troops cut off completely. The units forced into the Falaise pocket fought fiercely in a last ditch attempt to break out, sustaining heavy losses in the process. Much of Grenadier Regiment 980 escaped, but both morale and manpower were alarmingly depleted.
The portion of the 272 Infantrie Division that escaped moved through Belgium and Holland and into Germany, harrassed by the Resistance along the way. The survivors were sent to Döberitz-Berlin and used as cadre for rebuilding as the 272 Volksgrenadier Division in September 44. Members of the original 980, the 83 Grenadier Regiment and the 575 Volksgrenadier Division were transferred into the newly reformed GR980. Although the unit had lost its mostly Niedersachsen flavour, it retained more of the original men than the other two regiments.
The division went back into the line in November of 1944, this time in the Hürtgen Forest. The unit again distinguished itself, and one US military history author described the 272nd as "...that veteran menace of the Hürtgen Forest...". Although originally slated for participation in the general assault in the Ardennes, it was so heavily engaged against the US 78th Division that its activities were confined to defensive fighting and local counter-attacks.
After the retreat from the Monschau corridor in early 1945, there was some very heavy fighting for the Remagen bridgehead. Unlike the film The Bridge at Remagen, there was actually a strong German presence which put up a tanacious defense. During the battle, the remnants of the Division were organized in small Kampfgruppen that fought fiercely for the bridgehead and gradually fell back into the surrounding town. Many of the remaining officers were either killed, wounded, or taken captive in this engagement. This was their last major action, as most of the division surrendered in the Ruhr pocket shortly thereafter.
by Eric Tobey
Of the people (the "Tribe of the Duke of Winukind) it was said in a song: "they stand fast in the storm, rooted in the earth". Even though this comment implies a certain amount of reliability, they were also seen as clods: hard-headed, slow, rather gloomy, and quiet. One author wrote "...you need a chisel to prise open the Lower Saxon's mouth, and he would walk the entire length of a train to avoid contact with another human being." Of all the German tribes, they are also considered to be the ones with the least sense of humor.
There are few famous great institutions here, for the Lower Saxons, like their cousins the Anglo Saxons, place little value in them. There are quite a few rustic or natural attractions, however. The quaint, medieval town of Goslar dates back to the 10th Century and the whole town is practically a living museum. The Harz Mountains were famous for their ghost, goblin, and witch stories. Natives of this same area were (and still are) renowned for their wood carving abilities.
Unlike other regions of Germany, Lower Saxony does not have a well-known or distinctive cuisine. The staple food in this area was mainly hearty stews of potatoes, rutabagas, and chunks of meat. The only local foods of any notoriety would include Braunschweiger Wurst ( a dried, smoked sausage), the bock beer from Einbeck (this is where dark beer was supposed to be invented), Braunschweiger Spargel (asparagus), and a cheese called Harzer.
Even a dialect is lacking here: there is only one region where "proper German" is said to be spoken, and that is Hannover. Other areas, however, especially in the northern regions of Lower Saxony, speak a dialect called Plattdeutsch. Famous Lower Saxons would include the irreverant folk hero known as Till Eulenspiegel.
