Appreciate the post. FReepers who are interested should look into the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, which lasted 45 days and killed 24K US GIs.... PRIOR to the last ditch Bulge operation of the Nazis. The Hurtgen Forest was not covered much-— because it was superseded by the Bulge.
Absolutely horrific what happened to our men at Hurtgen— and, with the exception of winter coming on, and the nazis having any further strength to put in— it could have wiped out our forces in that region.
thanks for that...
My Dad fought at Hurtgen Forest. Was wounded and evacuated before the bulge.
One of the stupidest decisions by American commanders in the entire war. The Hurtgen Forest battles achieved nothing. The death toll is actually closer to 30,000. Remains of American GIs are still being found there. The attacks, which began in mid October, 1944 were finally called off on December 14, 1944. Two days later the Germans came roaring though the Ardennes.
The Battle of the Hurtgen Forest was actually unnecessary and it’s disgraceful and immoral what they put our troops through.
Our men fought in the Hurtgen forest in WWI too. It’s bloody ground.