Point D'Appui

As the majority of the I 19th Infantry Regiment advanced into North Wuerselen, they left behind a reduced company, commanded by Captain R. Simmons, to protect their line of communication. Captain Simmons deployed the bulk of his troops around a …

1944-10-09

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As the majority of the I 19th Infantry Regiment advanced into North Wuerselen, they left behind a reduced company, commanded by Captain R. Simmons, to protect their line of communication. Captain Simmons deployed the bulk of his troops around a roadblock outside of Bardenberg. There seemed little chance of significant action. Suddenly, as the light began to fail, armed German halftracks struck at the small American force.

Bardenberg, 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