APPENDIX I
TERRAIN STUDY
Ridge System. The ridge line runs through the forest from the southwest to the northeast. The main crest lies approximately 4000 yards west of the line M0ONSCHAU-SIMMERATH (K 995242); the highest point being 2150 feet just north of MÜTZENICH (K 922193) at the southern edge of the forest. Over a distance of approximately 16 miles, to the northern edge of the forest in the vicinity of MERODE, the crest gradually falls to an elevation of 600 feet.
Moving north and northeast from MONSCHAU, the ridge splits into three fingers, the first starting at SIMMERATH at the head of the KALL RIVER and running along the general line SIMMERATH - STRAUCH - SCHMIDT to the ROER in the vicinity of NIDEGGEN. The second finger splits off to the east about 4000 yards southwest of GERMETER, near the WEISSER WEH CREEK, the crest running along the line GERMETER - HÜRTGEN - KLEINHAU - GROSSHAU. The third finger runs due north from the head of the WEISSER WEH CREEK and flattens out just south of GRESSENICH. There are two spurs branching off the center ridge which are of major importance. Both branch off to the east, one following the line GERMETER-VOSSENACK, and the other along the line KLEINHAU-BRANDENBERG-BERGSTEIN.
Drainage. All major streams in the HURTGEN FOREST area flow to the north with one exception, the WESER RIVER originating about 7000 yards due west of SIMMERATH and on the west side of the main ridge flows generally west. Passing through the forest from the west, there are three streams that form definite barriers, not so much from, their size, but because of the deep ravines formed by them. The first of these is the VICHT CREEK which runs along the west edge of the forest from the vicinity of ROETGEN north to VICHT, where it flows out of the forest on through STOLBERG (K 935342). This stream, and the many short tributaries flowing into it, form deep ravines which are heavily wooded. This is generally true of all streams in the area. The second stream, the WEISSER WEH CREEK, is about four miles further to the east across the first military crest, splitting the main ridge line into two distinct ridges. This stream begins about 4000 yards southwest of GERMETER and flows almost due north through SCHEVENHÜTTE and WENAU, where it emerges from the forest and flows along the edge. Like the VICHT, this stream flows through a steep ravine with many short tributaries, which have cut deep into the hillsides on both banks. The course of the WEISSER WEH is about 3000 yards to the west of VOSSENACK and HÜRTGEN.
The third stream of importance is the KALL RIVER, which originates just southwest of SIMMERATH and flows generally northeast until it reaches a point due west of VOSSENACK, where it turns west and flows into the ROER just east of BERGSTEIN. Its current is very swift and it has a number of small tributaries, and like the other streams in the area it flows through a deep ravine with banks which are almost perpendicular in places.
Routes of Communication. The road net throughout the forest is generally poor, especially the east-west roads. The better roads run generally north and south following the ridge lines, with third class roads and trails connecting these main roads. The valley roads — generally third class and trails — follow the major streams throughout their entire length, usually not more than a few feet from the banks of the streams. Away from the populated areas, through the forest, apparently no more trees were cut than absolutely necessary to get the roads through, and as a result the forest borders these roads closely on either side.
The only first class road in the area passes through the southwest section of the forest connecting MONSCHAU - ROETGEN - FRIESENRATH (K 903345) - KORNELIMÜNSTER (K 904378) and leaving the forest at FRIESENRATH. This is a hard-surfaced road, approximately 24 feet wide, relatively straight and suitable for all types of traffic. This road enters the forest at an altitude of approximately 800 feet and, goes up the main ridge to an altitude of 1440 feet at the crest about 3000 yards west of LAMMERSDORF, where a second class road, hard-surfaced and about l6 feet wide, branches off to LAMMERSDORF. From LAMMERSDORF this second class road follows the crest of the ridge to GERMETER - HÜRTGEN-KLEINHAU - GROSSHAU - GEY and is one of the two major ridge roads in the area.
The second ridge road, also second class, passes through SIMMERATH - STRAUCH - SCHMIDT - HARSCHEIDT and crosses the R0ER just west of NIDEGGEN. Between the two ridge roads mentioned and generally parallel, there is a secondary valley road, running along the north bank of the KALL RIVER until it reaches the ROER, where it crosses the KALL, and follows the ROER to connect with the south ridge road just before that road crosses the ROER.
The ridge roads are cross connected by several third class roads (12 feet wide and surfaced) and trails, with two second class roads serving this purpose. One of these is between LAMMERSDORF and SIMMERATH, flanked by a third class road. The next link is from SIMMERATH - R0LLESBR0ICH to SILBERSCHEIDT, (F003287) winding down to and across the KALL to connect with the north ridge road. The next road east connects VOSSENACK and SCHMIDT, passing through KOMMERSCHEIDT. This is a third class road and in the vicinity of the KALL RIVER crossing it is very steep and exceedingly crooked, with several hairpin turns. The last cross link, a second class road, leaves the north ridge road on the southern edge of KLEINHAU, follows a spur ridge to BRANDENBERG and BERGSTEIN, then down the ridge to the KALL RIVER valley road, across the KALL to connect with the south ridge road just west of the ROER RIVER bridge. Between BRANDENBERG and BERGSTEIN a trail leads down to the KALL, crosses, and joins the south ridge road at HARSCHEIDT. This is a very steep trail with many hairpin turns and not suitable for vehicular traffic.
On the west edge of the forest there is a second class road, connecting ROETGEN - ROTT - ZWEIFALL - MAUSBACH - GRESSENICH - SCHEVENHÜTTE - WENAU. This is a valley road following the VICHT CREEK, hard-surfaced and about l6 feet wide.. There are numerous trails leading east into the HURTGEN FOREST from this road; however, there are only three of any importance. Moving north from ROETGEN, the first of these, a third class road, approximately 12 feet wide and hard-surfaced, branches off at MULARTSHÜTTE (K929343) and runs southeast to connect with the north ridge road just north of LAMMERSDORF. This road has branches from ROTT and ROETGEN and a third connecting with the north ridge road about 5000 yards north of the first connection. The next, a second class road, hard-surfaced and about l6 feet wide, branches off to the east at ZWEIFALL and connects with the north ridge road midway between LAMMERSDORF and GERMETER. The third connecting road of importance is a second to third class road which enters the forest at SCHEVENHÜTTE, runs generally south along the WEISSER WEH valley and connects with the north ridge road at the head of the WEISSER WEH CREEK, about 4000 yards southwest of GERMETER.
This last road serves as a trunk, with three or four roads leading off on each side. The more important of these side roads are the ones leading east to connect with the GERMETER - HÜRTGEN - GROSSHAU ridge road. Without exception these side roads are steep, crooked, and narrow.
Tactical effects of the Area. The HURTGEN FOREST covers an area of approximately 50 square miles, within the triangle formed by the three towns of AACHEN, DÜREN, and MONSCHAU. It is thickly wooded with trees medium to tall and largely coniferous in nature. Those trees are large enough in diameter to present a serious obstacle to armored vehicles. The floor of the forest is carpeted with pine needles and leaves which offer excellent opportunities for the installation of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, as well as booby traps of various kinds. The terrain is quite rugged with many steep hills and perpendicular ravines bordering many roads and trails as well as the streams in the area. These streams are quite swift, but for the most part are fordable and only represent obstacles because of the generally steep approaches. The roads are generally poor, steep, and winding, and will not support heavy vehicular traffic. Even the better ones will not support tank traffic except for a short time
Attacking through the forest from west to east the terrain particularly favors the defender in all respects. An attacker would be obliged to move across corridors, up hill through heavy woods, and on poor roads. These conditions enable the defender to make the maximum use of mines, pillboxes, observation, and canalizes vehicular traffic. The attacker would have to advance through a solid mass of forest, for a distance of approximately 10,000 yards, before reaching the first cleared and populated area. This area lies along the ridge line GERMETER - HÜRTGEN - GROSSHAU and forms a formidable obstacle.. The villages of GERMETER, V0SSENACK, HÜRTGEN, KLEINHAU, and GROSSHAU are one-street towns built along the ridge road, and are capable of being strongly fortified with excellent observation and fields of fire. To reach the two upper ROER RIVER dams, two additional major obstacles must be crossed, the KALL RIVER and the SIMMERATH - SCHMIDT ridge which separates, the KALL and ROER RIVERS. The SIMMERATH - SCHMIDT ridge, the last obstacle before reaching the ROER, dominates all approaches, the altitude of SIMMERATH being 1770 feet and SCHMIDT 1500 feet. The villages of KOMMERSCHEIDT, SCHMIDT and HARSCHEIDT situated in a cleared area along the crest, form a formidable fortress. The elevation of the KALL RIVER between SCHMIDT and V0SSENACK is approximately 850 feet.
Employment of armor in the area is practically impossible, due to the thick forest, deep ravines, and poor roads. In wet weather the ground in the few cleared areas becomes very soggy, and in general will not hold armor.
