in the Hurtgen Forest
Germany, 2 - 14 November 1944
(Rhineland Campaign)
THE WITHDRAWAL
By Major Paul A. Troup, Jr.
On 8 November 1944 the front was relatively quiet with only spasmodic artillery fire to remind the alert defenders of the enemy's potential. The aggressive probing of the line had practically ceased but since the counterattack was the enemy's strongest and most likely capability, it was the constant threat to the remaining men on the south side of the Kall River. Lt. Col. Ripple, aided by the very capable Major Dana, S-3 of the 112th Infantry, and a few other officers, had made a tentative plan of withdrawal which could be put into effect once the order was received. It was at the completion of this plan that one of the men just outside the shallow log covered hole that served as a command post was heard to exclaim: "Holy Hell, here comes a chicken colonel from the 5th Armored Division!". The unshaven, mud caked faces of the small command group that had been aging a year for every day that they had spent on this position suddenly came to animated life. Although nothing was said at the moment, the thoughts of the men present we're the same; this meant that help was on its way. The colonel introduced himself as Colonel G.M. Nelson and stated that he was assuming command of the 112th Infantry. The Colonel had led a patrol through the draw so that he could take command of the withdrawal of his regiment. When asked as to the strength of the task force, Col. Ripple told him there were approximately 350 effectives and about 50 wounded of which 20 could walk. Then informed of the plan for the withdrawal, Col. Nelson approved, and the plan was put into action. 56
Task Force Davis with the mission of covering the withdrawal had assigned the task of securing the draw to the 3rd Battalion, 109th Infantry. This mission was completed by 1730 after which time the shattered remnants of Task Force Ripple started their withdrawal. Company "C" had been left as the covering force with instructions to withdraw at a designated time. The major problem of evacuation was accomplished by having the first elements to withdraw carry the wounded and the other elements carry as much of the equipment as possible. As much of the equipment that had to be abandoned and could be destroyed without attracting the enemy's attention to the movement was demolished. This night withdrawal was undetected by the enemy and although six men were wounded by mortar fire and control was lost in the thick woods, it was considered very successful. 57
With the exception of the 110th Infantry which gained ground in its attack to the south, the other elements of the division held their positions. 58
On the morning of the 8th of November only 24 tanks out of the original 54 tanks of the 707th Tank Battalion remained operational. On the same date the tank-destroyer had only 12 destroyers left out of their original 36. 59
On the 9th of November the personnel of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 112th Infantry were retired to an assembly area west of Germeter where they were to be rehabilitated and reorganized. 60
With the 110th Infantry continuing its attack south and the 109th Infantry with the supporting engineers holding their positions in Vossenack, the 12th Infantry gained a position a few hundred yards south of the town of Hurtgen. 61
On the 10 of November, operations were to be suspended by the 28th Division in this area except when necessary to secure the Kall River line. 62
The G-2 estimate of this date indicated the 6 Battalions of the 275th Infantry Division, 116th Panzer Division, and 89th Infantry Division were confronting the US 28th Infantry Division.
On this date the 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry relieved the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry in Vossenack. 63
From 11th to 13th of November positions were consolidated and minor counterattacks were repulsed. 64
THE RELIEF
On 14 November 1944, V Corps Field Order Number 32 ordered the 28th Division to interchange positions with the US 8th Infantry Division which had been holding a quiet sector of the front from Lutzkampen to Ettelbruck, Germany. On this date at 1540 hours the 1st and 3rd Battalions, 112th Infantry moved south and after being relieved by the 2nd Ranger Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry followed at 2345 hours. 65
The operations for the 28th Infantry Division in the Hurtgen Forest area were closed when the interchange of the divisions was completed on the 16 November 1944.
