From: <webmaster@63rdinfdivassn.com>
To: <webmaster@63rdinfdivassn.com>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 11:49 PM
Subject: Form response: e-mail

> Subject Searching for info on Charles Mills, Co. A, 254 Inf
> Your e-mail address memills@gmail.com
>
> Your message
>
>     Interested in finding any info on Sgt.  Charles T. Mills,  Co. A, 254
inf.
> Killed in action in Dottingen (?) Germany, April 15, 1945.
>
> A letter from his Captain, Raymond R?, describing his death,
>  is reproduced at:
>
> http://edmills.freeyellow.com/edmiLL42.HTM
>
> Thanks,
>  -- Mike Mills
>
>
   --------------------
 

Subj:  Re: Form response: e-mail 
Date:  3/13/01 5:15:36 AM Pacific Standard Time 
From:    joyclint@home.com (Fred Clinton)
To:    memills@gmail.com
 

Mike:  Thanks for visiting our web site.  I have some information for you,
but it is sketchy.  First the name of the Captain signing the letter to your
family was Captain Raymond Rastani, who is currently a member of the 63rd
Infantry Division Association and can be reached by e-mail address:
rayrestani@hotmail.com

I have also reviewed the 254th Infantry Operations Report for the month of
April and found only a brief mention of the combat conditions on the 15th of
April.  You must keep in mind that during that period the division was
moving rapidly through its sector and only stopping to engage in combat when
German forces put up a defense.  But here is what  I found.
(I will start on the 13th of April- also S/Sgt Mills was in A Company, First
Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment.- I mention this because sometimes the
reports refer to Battalions- The First Battalion consisted of A, B , C and D
Companies):  "The next morning, the 13th, however, at 0830, Company C took
Haag, but found no enemy in this town.  A Company then passed thru them and
at 1230 had captured Kubach while B Company was sweeping the woods in the
vicinity of that town.  Patrols were immediately sent to Fessbach and
Rublingen.  Before they could return, the Burgomeister (Mayor) of Kupferzell
sent word to the First Battalion Commander that he wanted to surrender his
town.  When the patrols returned, they reported both Fessbach and Rublingen
void of enemy, so the Battalion Commander at 1930 sent A Company to
Kupferzell with one platoon of tanks and one platoon of Tank Destroyers, C
Company to Fessbach with two platoons from Anti-Tank Company and B Company
to Rublingen.  These three companies guarded these towns that night.

The Second Battalion had also continued the attack with E Company easily
occupying Etzlinweiler, while G Company advanced from Morsbach to clear the
woods south of that town.  F Company still in Battalion reserve, moved from
Kunzelsau to Morsbach.  The Third Battalion remained in the positions gained
the previous day.

With this accomplished, the regiment had captured its portion of the
division objective, and the following day (14 April 1945)was spent in
improving positions already gained.  Patrols were sent to the south of each
of the battalions, but only the First  Battalion groups made any contact at
all.

The following day (15 April 1945), before H-hour 0900, B Company received a
small but fierce counter-attack in Rublingen.  The enemy force was 39 men
and according to later PW reports, consisted of picked men from the 1st
Company of the 119 Volks Grenadier Division as well as a Tank Destroying
squad armed with "Panzerfausts" (A type of individual anti-tank weapon).
Their mission was to get a prisoner, but in their fierce two hour fight they
failed.

The First Battalion, with its attached units, pushed off at 0900.  C
Company, headed for Gogenbach, received heavy small arms fire from the draw
west of that town.  After placing mortar fire on the enemy, the company
again advanced but was stopped once more, this time in the woods northwest
of Gogenbach.  They overcame this fire and entered the town at 1227.
Immediately upon clearing Gogenbach, a heavy barrage of 88 mm shells as well
as some mortar fire fell on them,  this continued all aftrernoon.  About
1800, C Company made an attempt to reach the next village south, Eschenthol,
but the defense was so intense that the unit later pulled back to Bogenbach
to hold that town until continuing the attack the next day.

B Company also met strong resistance on ther drive southward from Rublingen
to Dottingen.  The unit was able to overcome small arms resistance and enter
the town about 1300, but when it began a further push to cross the Kocher
River, the company became engaged in a fire fight south of the village.  The
resistance encountered here included "time fire", and after being subjected
to this until 1620, the Company withdrew to Dottingen to hold that town.

Company A also found resistance heavy.  As A Company advanced through the
woods toward Ruckertshausen, the unit encountered enemy in a series of
entrenched positions.  As one line would become too difficult to hold, the
Germans would simply fall back to the next line of defense.  In addtion to
this heavy small arms oppostion, A Company was receiving high velocity fire
from the vicinity of Eschenthal.  The unit was able to reach the high ground
north of Ruckertshausen by 2030, at which time they dug in to hold that
position."

The excerpt above was taken from the April 254th Operations Report.  Copies
of Operations Reports for the months of Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr are available
from our historian, Bill Scott.  Please see the Memorabilia Page of the web
site for details and other items that are available.

Since S/Sgt Mills, death his unit was recognized several times for heroic
action during combat.  Having served during the time of the award, he would
be entitled to  those awards.  They are:  (1)  Presidential Unit Citation
for Colmar, (2)  French Croix de Guerre with Palm for Colmar, and (3)
Presidential Unit Citation for Ensheim Germany /Siegfried Line.  You can
read the citations for these awards on the 254th Infantry Regiment Page of
the web site.

As a relative of a 63rd Infantry Division veteran you are eligible to join
the 63rd Infantry Division Association as an Associate Member.  As such you
will receive our periodic publication The Blood and Fire, and also be able
to attend our reunions where you might meet and talk to buddies of S/Sgt
Mills. At the present time there are about 35 veterans of A Company, 254th
Infantry who are members of the Association.  You can find details for
joining the Association on the Membership Page of the web site.

I am adding your e-mail address to the list of individuals receiving the
monthly 63rd Infantry Division Internet Newsletter.  
You can read the
current and past issues of the newsletter by going to the following address:
http://www.geocities.com/newsletterformissue7.html

I will include your inquiry on the 254th Infantry and Mail Call Pages of the
web site within the next couple of days.  As an Associate member you can
also include your inquiry in the Blood and Fire, which goes to all
association members.  In that case you would have to include your regular
mailing address.

I hope this information will be of some assistance to you.  I have reviewed
you webpage and found it rather interesting.  You have quite a collection of
WWII letters, etc.- A real treasure.  Fred Clinton
webmaster@63rdinfdivassn.com

 
   --------------------
 

Subj:  Re: Form response: e-mail 
Date:  3/13/01 1:06:14 PM Pacific Standard Time 
From:  Memills 
To:  joyclint@home.com 
Sent on:    AOL 6.0 for Windows US sub 10501
 

In a message dated 3/13/01 5:15:36 AM Pacific Standard Time, joyclint@home.com writes:

>
I have some information for you,
but it is sketchy. 
>

Fred,

Thanks so much for your quick and very informative reply!
I look forwarding to joining as an associate member and
digging deeper.

Much appreciated!
-- Mike Mills
   --------------------

Subj:  Inquiry re Charles Mills, Co. A, 63rd Div, WWII 
Date:  3/13/01 1:17:16 PM Pacific Standard Time 
From:  Memills 
To:  rayrestani@hotmail.com 
Sent on:    AOL 6.0 for Windows US sub 10501
 

Hello,

I recently contacted Fred Clinton from the www.63rdinfdivassn.com website
to see if I could find some information about my uncle, Charles T.
Mills, who was under your command in WWII.   Fred provided me with
your email address -- I hope you don't mind me contacting you.

I have a letter that you wrote to Charles Mills' mother, Alice Mills,
replying to her request for information re the circumstances of
Charles' death in combat on 4/15/45.  

The letter you wrote in reply
can be seen at a page from my father's website at:

   http://edmills.freeyellow.com/edmiLL42.HTM

Your letter is about 1/2 way down.

Although quite a few decades have past, I would appreciate
learning of any recollections you have of Charles Mills and/or
the combat experiences of Company A.

Sincerely,
-- Michael Mills

  ------------------------------------------
  

Subj:  Re: Inquiry re Charles Mills, Co. A, 63rd Div, WWII 
Date:  3/14/01 6:33:55 AM Pacific Standard Time 
From:    rayrestani@hotmail.com (Raymond Restani)
To:    memills@gmail.com
 

Dear Michael:Am always happy to get inquiries concerning members "A" 254th 
Infantry.I am retired from the Regular Army-having served over 32 
years.Although other units I have led are dear to me,"A" Company is reserved 
a special place in my memory.Will check my files to help you gather more 
info.I had an eye operation about 10 days ago and just returned to my 
computer here at UNH,Durham,New Hampshire.Could you include a transcript of 
the letter I sent to Mrs. Mills back in 1945?Most sincerely--Ray 
Restani,Colonel,U.S.Army(Ret)

  ------------------------------------------

Subj:  Re: Inquiry re Charles Mills, Co. A, 63rd Div, WWII 
Date:  3/14/01 10:21:11 AM Pacific Standard Time 
From:  Memills 
To:  rayrestani@hotmail.com 
Sent on:    AOL 6.0 for Windows US sub 10501
 

Ray,

Thank you for your prompt reply.  

Per your request, below
is the transcript of the letter you wrote to Charles Mills' mother
back in 1945.   It has certainly been quite some time since
then, but I am interested in learning of anything you might remember,
sketchy tho it may be.

Fred Clinton sent me section from the history of the 254th inf re
the activities of company A and B on 4/15/45:

"B Company also met strong resistance on ther drive southward from Rublingen
to Dottingen.  The unit was able to overcome small arms resistance and enter
the town about 1300, but when it began a further push to cross the Kocher
River, the company became engaged in a fire fight south of the village.  The
resistance encountered here included "time fire", and after being subjected
to this until 1620, the Company withdrew to Dottingen to hold that town.

Company A also found resistance heavy.  As A Company advanced through the
woods toward Ruckertshausen, the unit encountered enemy in a series of
entrenched positions.  As one line would become too difficult to hold, the
Germans would simply fall back to the next line of defense.  In addtion to
this heavy small arms oppostion, A Company was receiving high velocity fire
from the vicinity of Eschenthal.  The unit was able to reach the high ground
north of Ruckertshausen by 2030, at which time they dug in to hold that
position."

In your letter below, you note that Charles was killed near
Dottengen.  Do you recall if Company A was moving from
Dottengen toward Ruckertshausen at the time of Charles' death?  Above,
it appears that Company B, rather than Company A,  was near Dottengen
on April 15th.

Not that these details matter much now, but I'm curious to learn
whatever you can recall.

Below is your letter:

     -------------------------------

Germany, 28 May, 1945

Dear Mrs. Mills,

I am replying to your letter of 16 May, 1945.  Please pardon any 
bluntness appearing herein; I am a soldier and not a man of letters.

Your son Charles was killed in action on 15 April, 1945 on a high 
hill overlooking the little town of Dottingen, Germany.  He met 
death in actual combat, leading part of his platoon through 
a heavily wooded area.  I was close to him at that time and 
therefore remember it very clearly.

Dear Mrs. Mills, I want to avoid gruesome details.  Believe me, 
he did not suffer. 

Brave men are hard to find; Charles was one of my best.

Thank you for allowing for allowing Company A to keep his packages.  
I will post that notice on the company bulletin board.  Any personal 
effects belonging to your son will be sent to you.

Thanks again for your blessing, we need it.  May God bless you in 
your bereavement.

Ray Restani
Captain, 254th Inf.
Commanding

     --------------------

In addition, the "Honor Roll" at Fred Clinton's website shows
that Charles Mills was buried at Lorraine.   Do you know if that 
is that a town, or the name of a particular military cemetary?

My generation, and all of those succeeding,  certainly owes yours a 
great debt of gratitude.

Thanks, in advance, for your assistance.

Best regads,
-- Mike Mills

  ------------------------------------------

Subj:  Re: Inquiry re Charles Mills, Co. A, 63rd Div, WWII 
Date:  3/15/01 6:35:30 AM Pacific Standard Time 
From:    rayrestani@hotmail.com (Raymond Restani)
To:    memills@gmail.com
 

Thanks for latest msg.I am away from my records,therefore I am 
relying on memory now.Will confirm and amplify by mail later as I have a 
number of things to send to you.Pls send me your mailing address. I live at 
5 Gerrish Drive,Durham,New Hampshire,03824.Am trying to remember his 
platoon.Think it was the 3rd.When that is determined I will contact 
surviving members for info on Charles,as well as provide you with their 
addresses.

I have the same combat records that Fred Clinton referred to.As I now 
recall,"A" spearheaded the First Battalion,254th Infantry across the Kocher 
River under heavy fire from Germans entrenched on a high hill in front of 
us.We fought our way to the top ,taking some casualties.We were ordered 
on-very tired.It was now sunset as we strove to take the high ground around 
Ruckertshausen. I think Charles was killed in this area.We remained on the 
high ground that nite.Continued the attack the next day with the capture of 
the village of Arnsdorf.

I have an eye witness account of our fight given to me by Dr.Elmer 
McKee,Then a lieutenant in "D" Company(wrote a remarkably detailed letter to 
his wife).This area of Germany is beautiful and merits a visit.I am in 
contact with a German who lives in Arnsdorf,and remembers that we burned his 
town.He sent me a map of the German positions of that day.Sgt Holley of "A" 
was also Killed here and I am in contact with his brother.I believe he plans 
a return visit there.

Today,15 March is the 56th anniversary of CO "A"s fight against the 
Siegfried Line.Perhaps Charles wrote home about it.

Would like to have your dads e-mail address.

Ray

  ------------------------------------------
 

Subj:  Re: Inquiry re Charles Mills, Co. A, 63rd Div, WWII 
Date:  3/15/01 6:42:47 AM Pacific Standard Time 
From:    rayrestani@hotmail.com (Raymond Restani)
To:    memills@gmail.com
 

Mike:I still cannot see well after my operation,hence the omission.Lorraine 
is a province in France.I think many of the 63rd heroes are buried there.We 
retook Alsace and Lorraine.THe Colmar Pocket was in Alsace.Ray

  ------------------------------------------

Subj:  Re: Inquiry re Charles Mills, Co. A, 63rd Div, WWII 
Date:  3/15/01 10:03:37 AM Pacific Standard Time 
From:  Memills 
To:  rayrestani@hotmail.com 
Sent on:    AOL 6.0 for Windows US sub 10501
 

Ray,

Thank you for the additional info!

>
Will confirm and amplify by mail later as I have a 
number of things to send to you.Pls send me your mailing address.
>

My mailing address is:

  Michael Mills
  7628 Carmel Beach Circle
  Goleta, CA 93117

My father, Edmund Mills (Charles' brother) doesn't have an
email address -- he's a bit "computer-phobic".   But, if you'd
like to contact him, you can email me (or mail me) and
I'll give it to him (he lives with us).

Please do let anyone in Company A know that I'm interested in
hearing from them -- particularly anyone who remembers Charles.

Again, I really appreciate the additional information.  

Warm regards,
-- Mike Mills

  ------------------------------------------

Dear Michael:Thanks for your address.I live at 5 Gerrish Drive,Durham,New 
Hampshire 03824.I have gathered a few papers which I intend to mail to you 
on Monday next.Have a good weekend.Ray

  ------------------------------------------

        
    3/25/01
    

Edgar Wyatt
    1012 Vance St.
    Raleigh, NC 27008
        
    Dear Mr. Wyatt,
        
    Ray Restaini (the Captain of your Company A, 254th Inf., in
    WWII) forwarded a copy of a page of your WWII diary to me.
    I am the nephew of Sgt. Charles T. Mills, who, as you noted in
    the diary page Ray sent to me, was killed in action
    on April 15th, 1945 on a hill above Dottengen, Germany.
    

    As someone who was there, my father (Charles Mills' brother)
    and I would be very interested to learn of any details of
    the circumstances of Charles death and/or any memories you
    may have of interactions with him during that time period.
    I realize that many decades have passed since then, and
    that memories fade.
    

    In addition, I am putting up a website on the internet that 
    includes information about my father's, and his brother Charles',
    WWII service.  If you have access to the web, a preliminary
    version of this website can be viewed at:    

       http://edmills.freeyellow.com/edmiLL42.HTM
    

    I would be most interested in scanning in a copy of
    your WWII diary into the computer, and include it as a separate section
    at the website.   In addition, I'm sure that Fred Clinton,
    the webmaster of the 63rd division website 
    (http://www.63rdinfdivassn.com) would also be interested in
    posting your diary there -- and I would be happy provide him with
    the scanned computer files to allow him to do so.
        
    If you would be willing to share your WWII diary
    with others via the web, I, and many others I'm sure, would 
    be most appreciative.  This type of material, written 
    by someone who where there and documented his experiences,
    is invaluable.   Publishing it on the web will make
    it available to others around the world, as well as
    archive it for future generations.     

    If we may have your permission to do so, please send a copy
    (or the original, which I would return) of your WWII diary to 
    me at the address below.  
    

    Also, if you use email, feel free to contact me at:  memills@gmail.com 
        
    Sincerely,        
    

    Michael E. Mills
    7628 Carmel Beach Circle
    Goleta, CA 93117    

    805-xxx-xxxx
    

 3/25/01
    

Edgar Wyatt
    1012 Vance St.
    Raleigh, NC 27008
    

    Dear Mr. Wyatt,
    

    
    Ray Restaini (the Captain of your Company A, 254th Inf., in
    WWII) forwarded a copy of a page of your WWII diary to me.
    I am the nephew of Sgt. Charles T. Mills, who, as you noted in
    the diary page Ray sent to me, was killed in action
    on April 15th, 1945 on a hill above Dottengen, Germany.
    

    As someone who was there, my father (Charles Mills' brother)
    and I would be very interested to learn of any details of
    the circumstances of Charles death and/or any memories you
    may have of interactions with him during that time period.
    I realize that many decades have passed since then, and
    that memories fade.
    

    In addition, I am putting up a website on the internet that 
    includes information about my father's, and his brother Charles',
    WWII service.  If you have access to the web, a preliminary
    version of this website can be viewed at:
    

       http://edmills.freeyellow.com/edmiLL42.HTM
    

    I would be most interested in scanning in a copy of
    your WWII diary into the computer, and include it as a separate section
    at the website.   In addition, I'm sure that Fred Clinton,
    the webmaster of the 63rd division website 
    (http://www.63rdinfdivassn.com) would also be interested in
    posting your diary there -- and I would be happy provide him with
    the scanned computer files to allow him to do so.
        
    If you would be willing to share your WWII diary
    with others via the web, I, and many others I'm sure, would 
    be most appreciative.  This type of material, written 
    by someone who where there and documented his experiences,
    is invaluable.   Publishing it on the web will make
    it available to others around the world, as well as
    archive it for future generations. 
    

    If we may have your permission to do so, please send a copy
    (or the original, which I would return) of your WWII diary to 
    me at the address below.  
    

    Also, if you use email, feel free to contact me at:  memills@gmail.com 
        
    Sincerely,
    

    Michael E. Mills
    7628 Carmel Beach Circle
    Goleta, CA 93117
    

    805-xxx-xxxx
    

  
   Jeanie,
  

   Thought you might be interested in some info
   I recently was able discover about Chili.
   (Looks like I'm becoming the unofficial Mills family 
   historian!)
   

   Though the internet, I was able to get in
   contact with Captain Raymond Restaini, the
   commander of Chili's Company A unit in WWII. 
   This is the guy who wrote the letter to your
   mother regarding the circumstances of Chili's
   death in combat on April 15, 1945 near
   Dottengen, Germany.  I've included a copy of
   my email correspondence with him.
   

   He sent me some interesting material -- 
   I've included a couple of tidbits.
   

   One is a copy of a diary page fromEd Wyatt,
   also in Company A  -- he refers to Sgts Mills
   and Meyers being killed on the hill (above Dottengen).
   Also included is a map, showing the movement
   of Company A near Dottingen. 
   

   There is also a letter written by Elmer McKee,
   the last page of which states that 
   

   "A Company moved out to clear the ground... including the
   hills overlooking Dottingen.  The terrain around this
   part of the country is very rugged--steep hills and deep
   valeys.  It's not so hot for fighting offensively, but
   ideal for defense.   A Company again had a terrific battle 
   fighting up these slopes.  They lost quite a few men..."
   

   
   Nancy tells me you will make a trip down here during
   their visit in June -- look forward to see you all!
   

   Cheers,
    -- Mike