Tonight, on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, we discuss one of the longest and bloodiest battles fought by American forces in Europe during World War II.

Taking place from September 1944 to February 1945, this battle unfolded in the dense Hürtgen Forest, located near the German-Belgian border in western Germany. The battle was fought between the United States Army and German Wehrmacht forces, who defended the area with entrenched positions and heavily fortified defenses. The operation was initially intended to support the Allied advance into Germany but became one of the most grueling and costly campaigns for the American military.

The Hürtgen Forest spans about 50 square miles and consists of steep, rugged terrain and thick woods that severely restricted visibility and movement. This dense terrain provided a natural advantage to German defenders, who fortified the area with concrete bunkers, minefields, barbed wire, and hidden artillery emplacements. German forces also used booby traps and anti-personnel mines, making the forest an effective defensive zone. The weather added to the challenge; frequent rain and cold temperatures turned the area into a muddy, harsh environment, complicating the movement of troops and vehicles.

American forces entered the Hürtgen Forest in early September 1944, with the primary objective of securing the Roer River dams. These dams controlled the flow of water downstream, and German forces could release the water to flood the Roer River valley, which would prevent an Allied advance across the river. By capturing the dams, the Allies aimed to prevent such flooding and enable their continued push into Germany.

The initial American units involved in the operation were elements of the 9th Infantry Division. They quickly encountered stiff resistance from well-entrenched German defenders. The Germans, commanded by General Walter Model, skillfully used the forest’s natural defenses and fortified positions to slow the American advance. The Americans faced limited visibility, narrow trails, and numerous hidden German positions, which led to a high casualty rate as soldiers struggled to locate and eliminate enemy forces. The dense woods also limited the effectiveness of American armor and artillery support, as tanks could not maneuver well, and artillery fire was less effective in the forested environment.

As the battle progressed, American forces deployed additional units, including the 28th Infantry Division, to reinforce the attack. Despite these reinforcements, progress remained slow and costly. German forces continued to resist fiercely, using machine guns, mortars, and artillery to inflict heavy casualties on the advancing American troops. The terrain favored the German defenders, and the Americans struggled to adapt to the harsh conditions. Trees and vegetation provided cover for German soldiers, and the heavily mined ground made even small advances hazardous. In addition, poor weather conditions in October and November made resupply difficult, as muddy roads and trails hindered transport of ammunition, food, and medical supplies.

The Americans repeatedly tried to break through German lines, but each attempt was met with severe losses. The 28th Infantry Division faced particularly heavy casualties during its assault on the town of Schmidt, a key objective. The town was strategically located, and control of it would have provided a staging point for further attacks on the Roer River dams. After capturing Schmidt briefly, the Americans were forced to withdraw due to intense German counterattacks. The battle for Schmidt became a symbol of the difficulty and heavy toll of the Hürtgen campaign, with the 28th Infantry Division suffering thousands of casualties over several weeks.

In late November, the U.S. Army sent the 4th Infantry Division into the Hürtgen Forest to renew the attack. Despite previous setbacks, American commanders believed that capturing the forest and securing the Roer River dams remained essential to the overall campaign. However, the Germans continued to defend the area with determination. The combination of fortified positions, rugged terrain, and heavy artillery fire continued to take a toll on the advancing American units. The 4th Infantry Division faced similar challenges as earlier units, and it also suffered significant casualties.

The German forces, although outnumbered, effectively managed their limited resources and reinforcements. Many of the German troops in the Hürtgen Forest were experienced and well-trained, including elements of the 275th Infantry Division and 116th Panzer Division. They were skilled in using the forest to their advantage, setting up ambushes and taking advantage of American vulnerabilities. The battle also illustrated the high command’s lack of understanding of the terrain and the German defenses, as American commanders underestimated the challenge posed by the forested environment.

By December, the Hürtgen Forest campaign was still ongoing, even as German forces launched a large-scale counteroffensive to the south in the Ardennes, known as the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle of the Bulge diverted American attention and resources, further complicating the Hürtgen operation. However, some American units continued to fight in the Hürtgen Forest throughout December and January. The Americans eventually gained control of the forest in February 1945, after months of costly fighting and thousands of casualties. However, the Roer River dams, the initial objective of the campaign, were not fully secured until early February, and even then, the Germans managed to release water and temporarily flood the area, delaying the Allied advance.

The Battle of Hürtgen Forest resulted in heavy losses for the American forces. Over the course of five months, approximately 33,000 American soldiers became casualties, including killed, wounded, missing, and captured. German casualties were estimated at around 28,000. The high casualty rates and difficult conditions made the battle one of the most grueling of the war for American soldiers. Many American units suffered attrition, with entire battalions losing much of their combat effectiveness due to losses and exhaustion. The psychological toll on American soldiers was also significant, as the forest became known for its brutal and unforgiving conditions.

The battle has since been viewed by many historians as a questionable tactical decision. The U.S. Army’s high command underestimated the difficulty of fighting in the forested terrain and did not fully appreciate the advantages it gave the German defenders. Some argue that the resources and manpower committed to the Hürtgen Forest campaign could have been better utilized in other operations, given the limited strategic value of the forest itself. The initial objective—to secure the Roer River dams—was eventually achieved, but at a high cost in terms of American lives and morale.

The legacy of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest remains a sobering reminder of the challenges of ground combat in difficult terrain and the heavy price of war. The battle demonstrated the importance of terrain and the difficulties of fighting in heavily fortified, natural environments. The long and costly battle, fought over harsh winter months, left a lasting impression on those who served there and became one of the most challenging and controversial campaigns for American forces in the European theater of World War II. The losses and hardships experienced by soldiers in the Hürtgen Forest highlighted the brutal realities of war and the often-overlooked complexities of military planning and decision-making during the war.