69th Infantry Division in Leipzig, Germany; April 18, 1945

“On April 17 [1945], the 273d Combat Team, with the support of attached armored and tank destroyer units, received the order to advance on Leipzig, assuming the sector previously held by the 271st. Early the following morning the regiment, with its attached units, reached an assembly point at Lieberwolkwitz. Here the battalions were given separate missions for the attack on the city proper. One company was detached to “Task Force Zebra,“ which was composed, except for this company, of tanks and tank destroyers. This task force moved directly into the city riding on the armored vehicles, and despite strong opposition, had reached the City Hall by early evening. Meanwhile, the First and Second Battalions were advancing in their respective sectors. The First Battalion was encountering stiff resistance on the road toward Holzhausen, while the Second Battalion had advanced into Leipzig and was engaged in fighting near the Sports Palace against well dug-in and defended enemy positions.“ Text fro