Analysis: The Battle Of The Huertgen Forest

“The Battle of the Huertgen Forest,” Charles B. MacDonald (2014)
This Battle of the Huertgen Forest is a varied account referencing one of the World War II (WWII) Battles fought in Germany. This battle attests to being one of the bloodiest battles of the war in Germany, a war of attrition. This battle convened from September 1944 – December 1944, culminating in a German counteroffensive that won the final day at Huertgen. Some of the key points brought out in the accounts of this battle were: the number of losses on both the American and German fronts, the terrain needing covered or acquired, key German and American leaders and tactical/strategic advantages, disadvantages.
The J. B. Lippincott Company, of Philadelphia and New York, originally published the “Battle of Huertgen Forest” in 1963. This re-account references two opposing forces, America and German, in a bloody battle over the Huertgen Forest. The Huertgen

Forest is a piece of real estate that lay across a path the “First Army had taken to reach the Rhine River,” the objective, for American troops, was to control this piece of land considered crucial to combatant commanders. The Huertgen forest, located south of Aachen, was a stretch of heavily wooded forest covering approx. 50 sq. ml. I found this book to be awe-inspiring, taking into account the time frame for this battle as well as the resources available, and was amazed at the determination and grit displayed by these Soldiers. At the onset of this battle the American troop count was approximately 120,000, this count did not include the augments/replacements during the battle. This count included 6 American Infantry Divisions and 1 Armored Division that actually engaged in battle within Huertgen Forest. While the German troop count tallied 80,000 consisting of 6 German divisions to include 1 Panzer Division and augments from 2 other divisions. At the conclusion of this battle the casualties numbered 33,000 (9,000 non-battle injuries) for American troops and approximate 28,000 for German troops. The distinction between battle and no-battle injuries for the German troops is undetermined due the loss of records.
The terrain during this battle was treacherous at best. The forest itself was a major obstacle to attempt to traverse on foot let alone trying to cut across these sectors with wheeled vehicles or tanks. The obstacles included: deep muddy terrain, narrow paths, mines (land and bouncing betties), pillboxes, firebreaks and trees. The trees within the forest were the most dangerous of them all. Even though the Americans had greater numbers than the Germans, once in the forest, numbers counted for nothing essentially once the Americans decided to make their way through the forest this leveled the playing field. The significant power and numbers displayed by the American troop was diluted by Germans knowledge of the terrain and the strategic use of the trees in the forest. While the Americans were in the forest the German troops lobbed artillery into the forest, when the Artillery struck the trees, the trees would splinter launching projectiles on to the forest floor, there was no escape and the foxholes provided no cover. Metal and wood fragmented projectiles mauling the bodies of American troops, the most one could do was to huddle at the base of a tree or lie beneath one of the decimated bodies lying on the forest floor. American tanks didn’t fair much better. There were multiple accounts of tanks: getting stuck in the mud, throwing a track, being damaged by mines and being stuck or immobilized on narrow paths and therefore blocking other tanks and being attacked by German troops. The tanks, at times, seemed to be more of an impediment than help.
Key leaders for during the battle were: (US) MG J.

Lawton Collins, LTG Courtney H. Hodges, (German) General Walter Model and General Erich Brandenberger. This battle on both fronts was encumbered by a litany of problems not limited to logistical problems, low morale, and relief for cause disguised as R&R leave as well as lackluster intelligence. The most significant intelligence debacles were not realizing the importance of the Roer River Dams and the city of Schmidt. As the reading indicates, who ever controls Schmidt controls the dams but neither side knew what to do with the dams, either to seize and control or to destroy them. Eventually the Americans commanders decide to capture Schmidt to have control of the high ground as well as major crossings along the Roer. Although after taking Schmidt the Germans successfully fought to regain the ground and Schmidt would not be conceded again. A second attack on Schmidt cost the American troops: 167 killed, 431 missing, 232 captured, 719 wounded and 544 hospitalized (non-combat

injuries).
The Battle of the Huertgen Forest was a good read, very informative and helps the reader by framing battles that occurred during WWII. I was a bit surprised at the number of Soldiers that both refused to fight and/or the commanders that didn’t want to put their Soldier in harms way, commanders who later were relieved of their command. The frustrating aspect of the book was the failure of combatant commanders to recognize the importance of certain objectives, while Soldiers were dying, holding objectives that had no real tactical advantage. The Battle of the Huertgen Forest is good historical read for anyone interested in battles during the WWII era, it also makes military member appreciate the importance of good intelligence gathering as well as logistical support.