Hurtgen Forest and Roer Valley
10-17 Dev. 1944 - (Rhineland Campaign)
By Captain Raymond C. Greis
DECEMBER 13-14
THE CAPTURE OF GURZENICH
On 13 December 1944 the battalion was ordered to attack at 0800 hours from its position along the edge of the forest to seize the town of Gurzenich. 26
The Battalion Commander decided to attack in a column of companies; "G" Company leading, followed by "F" Company, and then "E" Company. The plan called for Company "G" to attack directly east across 700 yards of open ground to secure a foot-hold in the woods to the front. The remainder of the battalion would support "G" Company's more by fire from positions along the edge of the woods near Hof Hardt; it would then cross the open ground after "G" Company entered the woods. The Battalion Commander also arranged for an artillery preparation along the edge of the woods, and a smoke mission on the left flank to obscure enemy observation during this maneuver. 27
Promptly at 0800 hours the attack jumped off. Company "G", under cover of the smoke screen and artillery preparation, moved across the open ground and into the woods, meeting no resistance. The rest of the battalion closed rapidly on Company "G" and reorganized according to plan. At this time Company "F" was ordered to deploy to the right flank and to the rear, thus securing the rear of the battalion. 28
Company "G" now resumed its attack through the woods toward Gurzenich. "E" followed Company "G". This attack pushed steadily forward against slight resistance, and by noon, the edge of the woods east of Gurzenich was reached. 29
When the forward elements of Company "G" reached the edge of the woods, they were fired on by the enemy located in buildings on the outskirts of Gurzenich. The Commander of Company "G" immediately called for artillery and mortar concentrations on these building. Under cover of this fire, the company pushed on in and gained a foothold in the town. Stopping only long enough to regroup, Company "G" continued the attack up the road toward Duren and, by 1700 hours, had captured about half of the town of Gurzenich. 30
During this same period Company "E", still behind Company "G", had deployed to protect the flanks and rear of the attacking troops in Gurzenich. Company "F", after a foothold in the town had been secured, was moved up to the western edge of the forest to continue its mission from there.
At 1700 hours the Battalion Commander called a halt for the day in order to organize a defense before darkness set in, Ihe defense was as follows: 31
Company "G" with one heavy machine gun platoon deployed to the front;
Company "E", with one heavy machine gun section in support, deployed to the left flank and rear;
Company "F" moved forward into the town and, with one heavy machine gun section, deployed on the right flank;
the command group and the 81 mortar section were placed in the center of the perimeter.
Once again ammunition supply was a problem. The whole area over which the battalion had advanced was heavily sown with teller nines. However, the engineers and Battalion A and P platoon succeeded in opening the road into Gurzenich during the night, and by morning resupply was normal again. 32
The battalion had driven a salient into the enemy's defenses. It was out on a limb with both flanks and front exposed to counterattack. Realizing this, the Regimental Commander sent the battalion additional strength consisting of a platoon of medium tanks and a platoon of tank destroyers. Needless to say, these reinforcements were received with open arms. 33
The 14 December saw the battalion again attacking through the town of Gurzenich with "E" and "G" Companies attacking abreast, "E" Company on the left, "F" Company deployed to protect the rear.
Both "E" and "G" Companies used a column of platoons In the attack, thereby being able to protect the flanks while attacking to the front. This sort of formation lends itself very well to an attack in a town where almost all the buildings are on one street. 34
The enemy fought hard for every house. Close combat was the order of the day. Most of the time the enemy was in too close for artillery or mortar concentrations to be fired. Even when these fires were possible, they had little effect since the enemy had excellent cover in the buildings. In spite of this, the battalion succeeded in taking the town with very light casualties.
Here is how it was done: 35
One platoon (actually about 2 squads), reinforced with light machine gun section, placed itself in position in buildings already held and placed aimed fire on all possible enemy positions. Another platoon, reinforced with bazookas and carrying plenty of grenades, attacked the next building to the front. When it was taken, the attack platoon then became the base of fire, reinforced with the light machine gun section which displaced forward after each successful attack. The old base of fire then became the assault platoon and leap-frogged to the next objective. This operation took place simultaneously on both sides of the street.
Due to the limited observation, reconnaisanee and decisions were necessary in the attack of each building. The Company Commanders displaced forward with the light machine guns, taking the new assault leaders with them. While the new base of fire was being laid, the Company Commanders took a look at the next objective, formulated a plan, and gave the assault platoon leaders their orders. Then, on a signal, both companies again attacked.
The medium tanks were attached -- one section to each attacking company. They were moved through back yards to positions from which they could support each new attack by direct fire from their cannon and machine guns.
The heavy machine guns moved behind the attacking echelons by bounds with the support platoons. These guns were placed to fire to the flanks to meet possible counterattacks.
The tank destroyers and battalion anti-tank guns had the mission of protecting the flanks and rear, and moved by bounds behind the attacking companies.
"F" Company was kept busy cleaning out snipers from outlying buildings. This attack, as outlined, pushed slowly forward, and by 1600 hours the battalion controlled the town.
On this same day the town of Derishweiler, to the northwest, and the town of Birgel, to the south, were captured by elements of the 9th Division and the 3d Battalion of the 329th Infantry, respectively. 36
The Battalion Commander once again organized a defense before darkness set in. He placed Company "G" on the forward edge of the town with a platoon of medium tanks in support. "E" Company was again deployed along the left flank and rear with a platoon of machine guns in support. "F" Company defended the right flank with a platoon of machine guns in support. The tank destroyers and anti-tank guns were placed to secure both flanks and rear of the battalion. 37
At about 1700 hours on 14 December the enemy counterattacked with tanks and infantry coming up the main road from Duren. This attack was quickly repelled by "G" Company. The enemy lost one tank and about 20 of his infantry, and abandoned the thought of further engaging the 2d Battalion that night. 38
