Crucifix Hill

The US Army nears Aachen. Rather than heading straight for the town, General Hodges opts for an encircling maneuver. The 30th Infantry Division, north of Aachen, marches South, while the 1st Infantry Division skirts the suburbs via the South-East. …

1944-10-08

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The US Army nears Aachen. Rather than heading straight for the town, General Hodges opts for an encircling maneuver. The 30th Infantry Division, north of Aachen, marches South, while the 1st Infantry Division skirts the suburbs via the South-East. Between the two stands a hill, topped with a large crucifix, north of the village of Haaren. Dubbed Crucifix hill by the GIs, it is replete with bunkers, fortified machine gun nests and other camouflaged positions, all manned by infantry men of the 246.Volksgrenadier Division. Equipped with flamethrowers, Bangalores and other explosive charges, and supported by US artillery and a battalion of tank destroyers, the specialized assault teams launch an attack on this formidable position. After an intense battle, and despite counter-attacks from the German 116th Infantry Division and 3rd Division Panzergrenadiers, Crucifix Hill falls into American hands.

Haaren, Germany

The Battle of Aachen was a major combat action of World War II, fought by American and German forces in and around Aachen, Germany, between 2–21 October 1944. The city had been incorporated into the Siegfried Line, the main defensive network on Germany's western border; the Allies had hoped to capture it quickly and advance into the industrialized Ruhr Basin. Although most of Aachen's civilian population was evacuated before the battle began, much of the city was destroyed and both sides suffered heavy losses. It was one of the largest urban battles fought by U.S. forces in World War II, and the first city on German soil to be captured by the Allies. The battle ended with a German surrender, but their tenacious defense significantly disrupted Allied plans for the advance into Germany.

Wikipedia: Battle of Aachen

German

American

Game Type: Standard

Board Type: Countryside

Website Access: Available