Battle of the Huertgen Forest

Thank you very much for the info Slipdigit! It looks like his books will be the next that I read. Cheers!

 

Hi Guys, there is a picture of Lengfelds memorial stone at Hurtgenwald cemetery

 

That's awesome (above pic)....

 

Did MacDonald cite the reference to fleeing without arms? It should be in the foot notes or listed in references. Then again if he is a veteran of the battle, he may not be citing anything and relying strictly on personal experience.

 

I believe McDonald was in the 4th Infantry Division and fought in both the Huertgentwald and the Ardennes. So he'd have witnessed first hand the things at that he described in his book as they happened.

 

Wasn't a movie made about this battle I believe HBO but I could be wrong?

 

When Trumpets Fade

 

When Trumpets Fade (1998) (TV) (IMDb link)

Seems to be the kind of film you either love or hate. From a cinematic perspective I would say it's lacking in a few categories. HBO has done better, but it was fairly well done for not being a major studio production.

I did like the film and thought it was a very good portrayal of what I understood Huertgenwald to be. I thought the acting was kind of weak, yet the uniforms, equipment, makeup and battle scenes in general were quite good. The sense conveyed about the hoplessness and insanity of the situation was unmistakeable and really what sold me on the film.

 

I thought it was OK..... I found Saints & Soldiers a lot better.....

 

Not sure why you would say quite a shame. I'm sure there were COUNTLESS Allies that did the same but weren't recognized. From what I read, Germans often shot American solders without killing them.....and wait for others to assist them, to kill more.

Perhaps the author didn't hear of this hero...

If you ask me, they were ALL heroes....

I thought the film was good as well, they only Hurtgen forest film (which is a shame).....

 

I'll have to check it out. Is that set during the Bulge?

 

Charles B. McDonald is a very good historian and writer.

He was a Company Commander during that time period, but not involved in that actual fighting.

Reading his and other books of this battle can make some weary of war.

Book is very accurate.

 

Cpt Charles McDonald was a member of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

He DID NOT fight in the Huertegen Wald.

His Division played a part in securing the North Shoulder of the Bulge in December 1944.

But he was NEVER in the Huertegan Wald fighting.

 

I've been searching around for Hill 401 but there is very little info.

Apparently this hill overlooked the entire forest and was the key position for Germans (used it for artillery etc).

My interest was sparked by Cod2 (hill 401 mission).

I found a video from History channel, but other then that it seems like there is VERY little info about this crucial place.

 

I just finished reading The Battle: Story of The Bulge by John Toland and he discusses it at multiple points and also has it marked on some basic maps of the area.

 

Was Hurtgen forest battle part of Battle of the bulge? I mean, I know it was in similar area and dates in which both battles started overlapped.

 

Officially, the Battle did not end until December 16th.

On December 13th V Corps was given the mission to secure the Roer Dams SE of the forest. 2ID attacked through the 104th Division lines as a part of this attack force.

WHen the Germans attacked the through the Monshau Gap, this caused V Corps to halt the 2ID attack and begin the covered withdrawal to halt the penetration of the Germans on the North shoulder of the Bulge.

This info came from the book.

I found one technical error with the book; the writer identifies the Panther & Tiger both having 88's. As a good student of WWII, everyone knows this is incorrect.

 

ohh I'm pretty sure king tigers had them....I remember watching a documentry on Russian front and they said Germans started putting 88s on tanks to top the power of Russian tanks.

I might be wrong.

Also found this
German King Tiger tank - development history and photos

Also just watched this video....about 2 min in they talk about 88s on Tigers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB1_EfWnuJI&feature=related