by Generalmajor Rudolf-Christoph Freiherr Von Gersdorff
RESERVES
In the reserve battalions of the Army the self-propelled guns numbered approximately 12-15. (Normal strength about 30) These were not in satisfactory condition. Later the Army gave to the Corps grenade battalions which performed very satisfactorily southwest of Hurtgen. In the rear, organization was begun of en AT zone between the Roer and Erft Rivers. Community digging croups worked between the Roer end Urft Rivers.
The right flank of the Army ran through heavy woods and joined the second portion of the Siegfried Line at Dreikaisereichen just west of Germeter. The Siegfried Line here consisted of a single line of pillboxes, widely spaced, that commanded the primary and secondary roads and also the firebreaks. In the east of the Hurtgen forest there were the large open areas of Hurtgen - Vossenack - Bergstein and Schmidt which were of importance by reason of their elevation. (between 380 and 500 meters). That sector played an important role in the defense of the Roer area south of Duren. In the wooded area the terrain was especially bad and the mud became worse with the frequent snows and rains. The entire wooded area contained so many differences in elevation plus the condition of the soil that it was extremely difficult to commit tanks.
Northwest of Gemund there were two giant dams (Schwammenauel and Urfttalsperre) which were important industrially and economically for the generation of electricity west of the Rhine and for the military importance of controlling the level of the Roer River. The small dam near Untermaubach had no importance. Special orders were issued for the protection of these dams. There were small AA batteries emplaced and also security troops to protect the dams. (Barrage balloons had been employed in the dam area, but by this period they were no longer in a usable condition. The dams and generating machinery were prepared for demolition.
The Army had an opportunity in October to draw on former experiences in the Hurtgen Forest. That was the battle of the 9th American Division when the Todtenbruch was lost (southwest of Germeter). (Regiment Wegelein while proceeding to another point had been stopped and directed into this battle and after some initial successes was halted.) The fighting in the Hurtgen was as costly to the defending troops as it was to those engaged in the offensive. In addition to the natural difficulties of fighting in a forest there were the added complications of poor communication, poor observation, danger from flank attacks, etc. The differences in elevation and the condition of the ground due to the inclement weather added further to the difficulties present. The Seventh Army directed that the front should be held in the woods, as far west as possible in spite of disadvantages for the following reasons:
- The joining of the easternmost portion of the Siegfried Line west of Germeter by the troops in defence should be retained. The defense was to be complete and strong so that from neihter the north or the south could penetrations of the Siegfried line be possible.
- The line of defense in the woods should hold back the enemy from the dominating elevated positions of Hurtgen, Grosshau, Vossenack, Schmidt and Bergstein.
- The front was further to prevent the enemy from gaining the dams which we have mentioned above that were of military and economic importance.
- Because of the plans already made for the Ardennes offensive it was extremely important that absolutely no change take place in the front line then existent in the Hurtgen Forest.
- We realized that here in the Hurtgen Forest the superiority the Americans possessed in the air, in tanks, and in artillery could not be employed as effectively against the German forces as would be possible in open terrain.
- Duren, because of its position as a road net center and communications zone, must be retained and protected. In the defense of Duren it was important to retain the road Duren - Gey - Hurtgen because of its normal function and also because most of our supplies utilized it.
