Hell in Hürtgen Forest: The Ordeal and Triumph of an American Infantry Regiment

Modern War Studies

by Robert S. Rush

Some of the most brutally intense infantry combat in World War II occurred within Germany's Hrtgen Forest. Focusing on the bitterly fought battle between the American 22d Infantry Regiment and elements of the German LXXIV Korps around Grosshau, Rush chronicles small-unit combat at its most extreme and shows why, despite enormous losses, the Americans persevered in the Hurtgenwald "meat grinder," a battle similar to two punch-drunk fighters staggering to survive the round.

On 16 November 1944, the 22d Infantry entered the Hurtgen Forest as part of the U.S. Army's drive to cross the Roer River. During the next eighteen days, the 22d suffered more than 2,800 casualties—or about 86 percent of its normal strength of about 3,250 officers and men. After three days of fighting, the regiment had lost all three battalion commanders. After seven days, rifle company strengths stood at 50 percent and by battle's end each had suffered nearly 140 percent casualties.

Despite these horrendous losses, the 22d Regiment survived and fought on, due in part to army personnel policies that ensured that unit strengths remained high even during extreme combat. Previously wounded soldiers returned to their units and new replacements, "green" to battle, arrived to follow the remaining battle-hardened cadre. The attack halted only when no veterans remained to follow.

The German units in the Hurtgenwald suffered the same horrendous attrition, with one telling difference. German replacement policy detracted from rather than enhanced German combat effectiveness. Organizations had high paper strength but low manpower, and commanders consolidated decimated units time after time until these ever-dwindling bands of soldiers disappeared killed, wounded, captured, or surrendered.

The performance of American and German forces during this harrowing eighteen days of combat was largely a product of their respective backgrounds, training, and organization. This pre-battle aspect, not normally seen in combat history, helps explain why the Americans were successful and the Germans were not.

Rush's work underscores both the horrors of combat and the resiliency of American organizations. While honoring the sacrifice and triumph of the common soldier, it also compels us to reexamine our views on the requisites for victory on the battlefield.

Genres: Military History, World War II, History, War, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

424 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Specifically focuses on the 22d Infantry Regiment and the German forces opposing it. Excellent examination of losses, morale, and unit fighting effectiveness as well. There’s a reason the surviving vets of both sides called it ‘The Green Hell’.
“It cost the 22d 2,806 casualties to advance six thousand yards at an average of just over three hundred yards a day during eighteen days of continuous combat. In other words, one soldier fell for every two yards the regiment moved forward."

It was a meat grinder, simple as.

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World War Two battle in Hurtgen Forest in November 1944 has been over shadowed in history because the Battle of the Bulge took place soon after.

Mr. Rush has written an outstanding account on said battle. Published in 2001, Mr. Rush was able to interview many of the remaining Veterans of the battle. From those recollections, Mr. Rush was successful in capturing the actual horror and suffering experienced from the soldiers.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed with detailed information...perhaps a bit too much at times. This reads like it was someone's doctoral dissertation. Nevertheless it does tell you a lot about the day-to-day life of an infantry regiment in WWII. The 22nd was effectively used up in the Hürtgen, going from a well-trained, experienced, full-strength regiment to one decimated by casualties and made up almost completely with inexperienced replacements. It's a grim story, but it puts across the feeling of being an infantryman about as well as anything I've read.

[Brent Abels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book, that taught me a lot about a battle I knew nothing about. It also gives great insight on how both the U.S. and German armies operate. I recommend this book for anyone with the desire to learn not just about World War II, but about the military in general.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding study of infantry combat at the regimental level, arguing that US Army organization proved superior to their German equivalents. Rush does an excellent job of reconstructing the actions of subordinate units and evaluating their combat effectiveness.

[Jur · Rating 3 out of 5]

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