Mariadorf and Mariagrube Germany 1944-45

Hello:

I am researching the area around Mariadorf, the coal mine and slag pile at nearby Mariagrube, Germany in 1944-45. This was outside of Aachen, Germany just over the Dutch/German border near Alsdorf. IT was taken by the 117th Infantry on 16 November 1944 but various units were in an around it from November 1944 through 23 February 1945 and the Roer River Assault crossing. As I understand it, for example, the 406th infantry, 102nd Division, was in the area briefly in November 1944 relieving elements of the 30th Division. A number of other outfits were in the area as well from the 30th Infantry Division, the 102nd and later the 29th Infantry Divisions.

I would like to contact anyone who may have recollections of the slag pile, photos of the area or letters/diaries mentioning the area, the mine or the town, no matter from what outfit. My father’s outfit (the 978th Engineer Maintenance Company) pulled into the mine at Mariagrube. in late November, recovered the bodies of the men from F Company 117th Infantry 30th Division, who took the mine area.. My father was wounded 1 December 1944 by German aircraft at the mine.

Please contact me at tpsnell@gmail.com

Thank you.
Theron P. Snell, Ph.D
tpsnell@gmail.com

 

This might be interesting: a Canadian crew was shot down in this exact area in December 1944. The Americans must have witnessed the crash .

AIRCREW REMEMBERED GUESTBOOK

 

Here's a picture of the slag pile




From www.oldhickory30th.com/PHOTO page 5.htm. The Old Hickory site has a lot of info, so it would be worth browsing through it if you haven't already. We also have a few 30th ID experts who will probably be able to offer assistance.

 

Also from the 30th ID website, here's a picture showing the location of the slag piles which were located between Mariadorf and Hongen (upper right):

 

You probably know this already since you have been researching this for some time, but Mariagrube was the name of Mariadorf train station near the slag piles. You can still see the station and the overgrown slag piles using Google Maps.