Ring Around Aachen

Having broken through the Siegfried Line. fortifications by the end of the first week in October 1944. the American 30th Infantry Division wheeled south to link up with the “Big Red One" (1st Infantry Division) at Wurselen to encircle the …

1944-10-02

61

Having broken through the Siegfried Line. fortifications by the end of the first week in October 1944. the American 30th Infantry Division wheeled south to link up with the “Big Red One" (1st Infantry Division) at Wurselen to encircle the city of Aachen. Instead of a relatively easy conclusion to its attack, within hours of jumping off General Hobbs’ 30th Division was fighting for its life against desperate Gerrrran counterattacks from the east.

Wurselen, 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