21-27 NOVEMBER 1944 (RHINELAND CAMPAIGN)
By Captain Francis D. Linse
SPECIAL SITUATION
With the capture of Aachen 22 October 1944, the First Army pushed eastward with the fighting centering in the Hurtgen Forest to the southeast. Progress was very slow in this sector. The forest itself was a natural barrier, and with the help of pillboxes and mine fields the enemy was able to make any advance very costly to our forces. The first American units entered the forest about 13th September with the 9th Division doing most of the fighting up until this time. 10 11
The Twelfth Army Group ordered a general attack to the east on 21 October. In compliance with this directive, the V Corps ordered an attack by the 28th Infantry Division in the Vossenack-Schmidt area, with the mission of securing control of two large dams on the Roer River south of Schmidt. The 12th Infantry, 4th Division, was attached to the 28th Division for this attack. 12
This attack by the 28th Division took place between 2 and 14th November 1944. The 28th Division captured Vossenack, crossed the Kall River and reached Schmidt. Due to mounting enemy counterattacks and the inability to bring up armor, the 28th Division was unable to hold Schmidt, and by 14 November had withdrawn across the Kall River. In this action the 28th Division suffered severe losses in both men and equipment. 13
On 14 November, due to these heavy losses and need of reinforcements, V Corps directed the relief of the 28th Division with the 8th Division, relief to be completed by dark 20 November 1944. In order to effect this relief, the 8th Division in the VIII Corps in the vicinity of Luxembourg, was moved approximately 100 miles north to the 28th Division sector in the V Corps. The exchange of these divisions was accomplished by using trucks, one regiment being moved at a time. 14 15
The order of march of the 8th Division was 28th Infantry, 13th Infantry, 121st Infantry. Two days prior to the movement of the 121st Infantry, the 3rd Battalion which had been on special duty at Rennes, France, rejoined its unit. 16
The 121st Infantry began the movement north on the morning of 19th November. By 1600 hours the column was entering the forest at Rotgen, Germany, and by 1800 hours all units had cleared into their assembly areas in the forest. Kitchens were released to the companies, and the troops were ordered to take it easy and to get all the rest possible in preparation for the coming action. 17 (change to map B)
The rest did not last very long. On 19 November V Corps ordered the 8th Division to attack on 21 November, with the mission of capturing Hurtgen and Kleinhau, and securing the road connecting these two towns. For this mission CC "R" 5th Armored Division, C Company 86th Chemical Battalion, and the 18th Field Artillery Battalion (4.5 rockets)were attached to the 8th Division. 18
The division plan for the attack was as follows: An attack through positions now held by the 12th Infantry, 4th Division to complete the clearing of the woods to the west of Hurtgen. When this had been accomplished CC "R" 5th Armored Division was to attack north along the Germeter-Hurtgen Road to capture Hurtgen and Kleinhau. 19
The 121st Infantry was to make the main effort. Three Battalions would attack abreast, 3rd on the right, 1st in the center, and the 2nd on the left. Attached to the 121st Infantry was the 12th Engineer Combat Battalion, A Company of the 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion and B and C Companies of the 86th Chemical Battalion. In addition, priority of fires of all division artillery units except one battalion was given to the 121st Infantry. Each battalion of the 121st Infantry would attack through the area of the respective battalion in the 121st Infantry. 20
Auth: C. G. V Corps |
| SUBJECT: | Letter of Instructions | |
| TO: | Commanding General | 8th Inf Div. |
| 5th Armd Div. | ||
| V Corps Arty. | ||
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| By Command of Major General Gerow O. C. Mood Colonel GSC Chief of Staff |
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| Official: John G. Hill /s/ Colonel, GSC AC of S, G-3 |
| This is a true extract copy. |
| Francis D. Linse Capt, Inf. |
Early the morning of 20 November, Captain Thomas Edwards, commanding officer, Company M, informed his company that the battalion was moving to a forward assembly area that afternoon, and issued orders for the platoons to be ready to move on order after 1300 hours. The 1st Platoon was to be attached to Company I, and the 2nd Platoon attached to Company L. These attachments becoming effective when the move started. Platoons of Company M would join their respective companies after 1200 hours on order for the move to the forward assembly area. Weapons were placed on carriers and would join the platoons that night in the forward assembly areas. 21
