Clay J. Ritter

In mid-April 1945, the 2nd Infantry Division advanced toward the industrial complex of Leuna and Merseburg near Leipzig, where it encountered the infamous “Flak Alley” protecting Germany’s vital synthetic fuel and rubber plants. The area was defended by approximately 1,000 anti-aircraft guns, ranging in caliber from 88 mm to 128 mm, supported by numerous lighter weapons. Originally designed to defend against Allied bombers, these guns had been lowered for ground fire and posed a deadly threat to the division’s advancing infantry and tanks. Each gun position was heavily fortified and connected by an extensive network of communication trenches. These formidable defensive positions inflicted heavy casualties on the 2nd Infantry Division during the fighting that followed. Between April 13 and 19, the division captured or destroyed 505 heavy anti-aircraft guns of 88 mm, 105 mm, and 128 mm caliber, eliminated countless lighter anti-aircraft weapons, and captured 9,111 German prisoners. Counter-battery fire proved particularly effective, as a direct hit on an anti-aircraft…