On March 28, 1945 the 75th Infantry experienced heavy small arms fire from the Germans, bit they captured Im Loh that day. By March 30, 1945 , Im Loh became the 75th Infantry’s Command Post. About April 3, 1945 this area became an assembly area for the next move of the 75th Infantry troops into the Im Loh isn’t really a town. It just seemed to be a small collection of farm fields. I -ark3d my rental far son a golf course parking lot and walked to the site which Google maps identified as Im Loh. I am guessing the troop simply gathered in these fields and set up tents.
I was seated on a lawn of a farm house as I sketched. The frau of the home came out and I asked her in German if this was Im Loh. She confirmed that I was indeed looking at Im Loh, and then she drove off 9n her car, presumably to the market.
Leaving Dorsten Germany, the 75th Infantry Division used careful reconnaissance by the division to plan their move into the Ruhr Pocket.The rest of the troops moved into an assembly area near Im Loh Germany. The 30th and 79th Infantry Divisions were tiring and the attack into the Ruhr had begun to stall. It was time for the 75th to go into action again.
With the regiments abreast the division advanced east, just south of the Lippe Canal in a line towards the Dortmund-Ems Canal some 19 miles to the east. Hundreds of thousands of slave laborers were liberated as well as prisoners of war, while the old and young of the German peoples army were sent home. Factories, refineries, and one of the worlds largest synthetic rubber plants, which were all vital to the German war effort, were seized. The 75th was in charge of so much booty. This was a clear sign that the war was almost over. Although the end was near, the danger of being shot at any time remained.