He led his command during the defensive combats along the Moder until the beginning of February 1945 and during February and March 1945, the division mopped up German resistance, returned to offensive combat by the end of March that year, crossed the Rhine, drove across the Rhine-Herne Canal, April 7, secured the north bank of the Ruhr and took part in clearing the Ruhr Pocket until April 13, 1945.