6. November 1944

1800 hours

Unit de-trained and arrived at its assigned area in the Hürtgen forest today. Barracks obtained in the village of Kommerscheidt.

Several new recruits and reassigned Luftwaffe personal arrived to rebuild our Kompanie. It was a welcome sight to see my Kameraden after the retreat from France only a short while ago.

Training resumed immediately.

Although we were told that American forces were nearby, one Gruppe apparently had gotten itself lost in the dark forest. They found themselves on the wrong side of the main battle line during a field exercise and had to steal itself back through to friendlier areas. No casualties reported.

7. November 1944

0600 hours

Training resumed

Rain

1000 hours Orders were received to move to the town of Kesternick near the Kall River Trail and take up defensive positions. Both flanks were covered by our Heer Kameraden of the 2nd Panzer Division and the LSSAH.

In no time a concentrated probing attack was made by American and English troops to secure the town. The enemy was repelled numerous times, taking heavy casualties. Our losses were minimal although a portion of the village was lost nonetheless.

Rain

1200 hours

Although reinforcements were received and a counter attack was planned to regain the lost position, new orders came in and we were withdrawn from the village and moved back to the nearby town of Vossenack.

Again defensive positions were taken up in the nearby forest flanking the town. Allied forces made a surprise attack before final preparations had been completed and a heavy exchange of fire occurred. Casualties were high on both sides, with many losses due to friendly fire in the confusion of the forest!

We were forced to withdraw further into the town and a short reprieve occurred. We did not understand why the Allies provided us this opportunity to rest and refit and did not press their attack. Shortly thereafter however, the Western Allies resumed their push and we were forced to abandon the village under heavy fire.

Rain

1400 hours

Orders received to regroup and hold a set of pivotal crossroads at all costs. Doing so we were told would make heroes of us.

The enemy attack inevitably came and with some losses we were again forced to pull back a short distance. A Kampfgruppe was then formed for a planned counter attack.

Our attack was launched straight through the woods into the flank of their position. Our unexpected aggressiveness must have caught them by surprise. Our men fought bravely and inflicted many enemy casualties. The Western Allies completely withdrew from the sector and the crossroads area was again secured, although given the rain and mud I don't see how it matters much.

Rain. Under cover of darkness we were withdrawn from the area again.

8. November 1944

0700 hours

training resumed

1000 hours
We were notified that an enemy platoon had infiltrated during the night right through the mud of the crossroads we worked so hard to defend the day before. They were reported to be holed up not far from our training area.

We were to form a Kampfgruppe and immediately counterattack and re-secure the area. Multiple attacks were made but the American and English soldiers were able to hold us off. In a last desperate attempt an SS man jokingly suggested that we just march in formation so we can be killed neatly. The “idea” was immediately ordered by Herr Lieutenant and we lined up in close order to march to our deaths.

Unbelievably we marched right into the middle of their position. On command the whole unit immediately spread out and rapidly retook the area, miraculously only minimal casualties occurred on such a bold maneuver.

The Battle of Hürtgen Forest

WWII Tactical Event

(Oregon. 06-08 November 2009)