THE OPERATIONS OF COMPANY C, 8TH INFANTRY
(4TH INF. DIV.) IN THE ATTACK OF THE HURTGEN FOREST,
GERMANY, 19-21 NOVEMBER 1944
(RHINELAND CAMPAIGN)

By Captain Robert D. Moore, Infantry

PATCH 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION

INTRODUCTION

This monograph covers the operations of Company C, 8th lnfantry, 4th U. S. Infantry Division, during the period 19 -21 November 1944, in the Battle of the HURTGEN FOREST, GERMANY.

For orientation the major events which led up to this action will he discussed briefly.

On 6 June 1944, an Allied Force composed of American, British, and Canadian Units invaded EUROPE by landing on the NORMANDY Coast of FRANCE. (See Map A) (1)

Just after the middle of July this force reached a line running generally from the English Channel near CAEN, CAUMONT, ST. LO, and thence to the west coast of the CHERBOURG PENINSULA. (See Map A) (2)

On 25 July a major breakthrough was accomplished near ST. LÔ, and the "Battle of the Beachhead" was over. (3) The exploitation phase of the operations now began.

On 15 August an Allied Force composed of American and French Units landed on the shores of Southern FRANCE near ST. TROPEZ and ST. MAXIME. This force pushed northward rapidly and established firm contact near EPINAL, FRANCE, on 21 September with the Allied Force which had landed on the NORMANDY Coast. (4) (5) (See Map A)

During the month of September the SIEGFRIED LINE was penetrated by the American forces in the SCHNEE EIFEL FOREST, GERMANY, east of ST. VITH, BELGIUM and in the HURTGEN FOREST, GERMANY, southeast of AACHEN, GERMANY. (6)

Many persons at this time thought the end of the war was imminent since they believed the Germans could not stop the advance of the Allies, but the pursuit across FRANCE and BELGIUM had been so rapid that supplies in sufficient quantity to sustain the drive along the entire front could not be delivered, and it was necessary to call a halt until such time as the supply situation could be improved. (7)

Through strenuous efforts in repairing the railroads and the operation of a highway system known as the "Red Ball Highway" the supply situation was greatly improved by the end of October. (8)

AACHEN, GERMANY, an important communications center, was captured on 21 October by the VII U. S. Corps. (9)

By the first of November, the Allied Forces were disposed as shown on Map A.

HORIZONTAL FLOURISH LINE



Source: The United States Army Infantry and School

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