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The battle of Hürtgen Forest (in German Schlacht im Hürtgenwald) is the name given to a series of fierce battles fought between US and German forces towards the end of World War II in the Hurtgen Forest, located east of the border between Germany and Belgium. The battle took place between 19 September 1944 and 10 February 1945 on an area of just 129 square kilometers, becoming the longest battle fought on German soil during the entire conflict and the longest battle ever fought by the US Army throughout his own story.
The battle cost the US First Army at least 33,000 dead and wounded, both in combat that because of the particularly unfavorable winter weather. The German victims were between 12 000 and 16 000. Aachen finally fell on October 22, but at a high price since the ninth army pushed toward the Roer River but failed to cross it nor either to take control of its dams. The battle of Hürtgen forest became known as a "defeat of the first magnitude" of the allies, especially thanks to Model.
The US Army Center of Military History has estimated the use of about 120,000 troops, in addition to replacements; at the end of the battle they were counted 23,000 victims in battle and 9000 not in battle. Two divisions, the 4th and 9th, suffered losses so severe that it must be withdrawn from the front line to regroup [12].
The Battle of Schmidt cost 6,184 US losses - losses in comparison to Omaha Beach were 4 000. The German losses roamed less than 3000 units [13].
In the second phase, the 4th Division was advanced one mile and a half to November 20, 1500 suffering losses from battle and hundreds of victims of diseases and health problems. After two weeks,it was traveled three miles, with the loss of about 6000 men (4000 in battle), bringing the total losses of the month of November to 170 officers and 4754 soldiers.
Some units used in this operation had also fought at Omaha Beach, one of the five beaches used for the landing in Normandy. Some veterans, comparing the two battles, claimed that one of Hürtgen forest was much more bloody.
The battle cost the US First Army at least 33,000 dead and wounded, both in combat that because of the particularly unfavorable winter weather. The German victims were between 12 000 and 16 000. Aachen finally fell on October 22, but at a high price since the ninth army pushed toward the Roer River but failed to cross it nor either to take control of its dams. The battle of Hürtgen forest became known as a "defeat of the first magnitude" of the allies, especially thanks to Model.
The US Army Center of Military History has estimated the use of about 120,000 troops, in addition to replacements; at the end of the battle they were counted 23,000 victims in battle and 9000 not in battle. Two divisions, the 4th and 9th, suffered losses so severe that it must be withdrawn from the front line to regroup [12].
The Battle of Schmidt cost 6,184 US losses - losses in comparison to Omaha Beach were 4 000. The German losses roamed less than 3000 units [13].
In the second phase, the 4th Division was advanced one mile and a half to November 20, 1500 suffering losses from battle and hundreds of victims of diseases and health problems. After two weeks,it was traveled three miles, with the loss of about 6000 men (4000 in battle), bringing the total losses of the month of November to 170 officers and 4754 soldiers.
Some units used in this operation had also fought at Omaha Beach, one of the five beaches used for the landing in Normandy. Some veterans, comparing the two battles, claimed that one of Hürtgen forest was much more bloody.