The Third Battle

by Rainer Monnartz

Nov. 16, 1944 (Thursday)

The start of 'Operation Queen'.

Using all available weapons, the Allies launch a massive offensive along the whole length of the front between Selfkant and Hürtgenwald. In the evening, dozens of cities and villages are up in flames.

16 November 1944 marks the date of the bombing of the Roer cities of Düren, Jülich and Heinsberg, causing massive destruction of up to 90 per cent. The bombardment is carried out by about 1,200 British bombers of which 508 attack Jülich, 498 Düren and 182 Heinsberg. Within half an hour, the three cities are reduced to rubble and ash.

The First U.S. army moves further forward south: the 4th Division in the Huertgen Forest, the 1st Division from Schevenhütte towards Langerwehe and Jüngersdorf, the 3rd Armored Division towards Hastenrath and the 104th Division towards Eschweiler and Weisweiler.

In Stolberg, a three-day fight begins around the strategically important Donnerberg (Hill 287). In the upper Wehebach valley of the Huertgen Forest the battle rages again, without the Americans achieving noteable successes.

On the whole, the German defenders can still hold the front.

Nov. 17, 1944 (Friday)

In the combat area of Stolberg, with the taking of Gressenich, the Americans threaten to breakthrough to Langerwehe.

In the Wehebach valley, between Schevenhütte and Germeter, the 4th Inf.Div. attacks the eastern part of the forest.

Nov. 18, 1944 (Saturday)

In the Huertgen Forest the battle continues with high losses on both sides. More and more, the Americans are hampered in their advance by mine fields, booby traps and other barriers. However, east of Schevenhütte they can break through to Schwarzenbruch Estate.

Nov. 19, 1944 (Sunday)

In the Huertgen Forest, the spent 28th Inf. Div., which suffered heavy casualties in the fights for Schmidt and Kommerscheidt, is replaced by elements of the 8th Infantry Division. The 28th moves to the Ardennes. The unit has lost 6,184 men. The battle in the Wehebach valley, in the eastern forest areas towards Hürtgen and Kleinhau, continues. Once more, the Americans suffer heavy losses and practically fail to gain even a yard of ground.

Nov. 20, 1944 (Monday)

From the combat area of the Wehebach valley, the 1st (US) Inf. Div. pushes forward to the northeast, takes Wenau and reaches Laufenburg in the forest area between Wenau and Merode.

Nov. 21, 1944 (Tuesday)

Reinforcement of the Americans by elements of the 5th (US) Armored Division.

After a massive employment of heavy artillery in the combat zone of the Wehebach valley, the Americans succeed in moving forward towards Grosshau and Kleinhau. Also the town of Hürtgen is now within reach and comes under artillery fire.

Attack along the mine field "Wilde Sau", Forestry House Hürtgen, Hürtgenbach and Forestry House Grosshau.

Nov. 22, 1944 (Wednesday)

At the south front, along the eastern slopes of the Weisser Wehe valley, the Americans systematically fight their way out of the forest and close in on the village of Grosshau, which lies only one kilometer in front of them.

A little further north, the monastery ruin of Schwarzenbroich in the Meroder forest is taken.

Nov. 23, 1944 (Thursday)

For the moment, the Americans don't take the risk of assaulting the weakly defended village of Grosshau. In order to take those few hundred meters of open space, they first want to move their tanks forward. The narrow supply trails of the Wehebach valley, and the shelling of the German artillery from the Brandenberg - Bergstein ridge, makes this very difficult.

Nov. 24, 1944 (Friday)

Despite high losses, the advance of the Americans out of the Wehebach valley is successful. Two days ago the Americans reached the edge of the forest. They stood at a distance of about 800 meters from Grosshau. Now, the US infantrymen face a gently rising open slope and for the first time see the village of Hürtgen, which later gives its name to the battle: Hürtgenwald or Huertgen Forest.

The nonstop artillery bombardment has already destroyed the place. Where today the hikers parking lot "Brandenburger Tor" is situated, GI's move out of the woods. But here the same applies as in Grosshau - the tanks must roll forward! Moreover, the road from Germeter to Hürtgen (today's B 399) is not only still in German hands, but is also heavily mined on both sides.

Nov. 25, 1944 (Saturday)

At night, American engineers have begun to sweep the road from Wittscheidt to Hürtgen (today's B 399), clear of mines. In the morning, the first tanks roll towards Hürtgen, however, in the open space they meet heavy resistance from German artillery and rocket launchers. Besides that, shell and bomb craters block the way. Exactly here, on both sides of the road, the Germans have placed their much feared minefield "Wilde Sau" (wild boar).

Nov. 26, 1944 (Sunday)

The two-day fight for Hürtgen begins. The Americans succeed in bringing forward tanks and assault guns. They take the Forestry House of Hürtgen, which has been contested for a long time, while, to the north and the west, at the edge of the open space, infantrymen prepare to attack.

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