Into the Death Factory of the Hürtgen Forest | History Traveler Episode 326

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5 ай бұрын

Soldiers called it things like "The Death Factory" and "Green Hell". We all know it as the Hürtgen Forest. We're taking a few episodes to explore this dense, rugged forest that was the scene of some of the worst fighting that the Americans saw in WWII. Starting with the 9th Infantry Division, the Hürtgen Forest would be a place that would grind up and test the limits of several units in what would become the longest battle for the U.S. in WWII.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Map animations courtesy of @SandervkHistory with inspiration from the king himself, @TheOperationsRoom (who gave his blessing on this prior to the upload :) )
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
Set yourself up with a 10% DISCOUNT on all Origin gear and nutritional products by entering the code "history10" at www.originusacom and jockofuel.com!!!
Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- Back to the Hürtgen Forest with FOUR WWII Veterans! | History Traveler Episode 325: • Back to the Hürtgen Fo...
- The Rifle: Stories From the Last WWII Veterans | History Traveler Episode 324: • The Rifle: Stories Fro...
- At the Eagle's Nest with Easy Company (w/ Matt Leitch of Band of Brothers) History Traveler 322: • At the Eagle's Nest wi...
- Into the Tunnels Beneath Hitler's Mountain | History Traveler Episode 321: • Into the Tunnels Benea...
- The Dead of Verdun at the Douaumont Ossuary | History Traveler Episode 317: • The Dead of Verdun at ...

Пікірлер: 816

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

⭐️ If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com.

@Loiyaboy 5 ай бұрын

Done long ago!

@sandradresher4316 5 ай бұрын

If you watch the Movie When Trumpets Fade, you will know why they never spoke about that battle!

@slomotion5165 4 ай бұрын

Great content, subscribed 👍

@nexusgroupnxt 2 ай бұрын

You forgot to mention operation north wind

@yicub4347 Ай бұрын

Wow, new subscriber. I love war stories and our veterans' history. Just reading comments led to checking out your channel awesome thanks

@jeffreydickson8888 4 ай бұрын

My Dad was one of those veterans who fought there. He was a part of the 4th Infantry Division. He came back with several honors but the one of which he was most proud was the Combat Infantry Badge - awarded at that time for 30 days in direct contact with the enemy. He was recognized for 199 consecutive days. That is a damn long time.

@dtaylor10chuckufarle 2 ай бұрын

May God Bless your dad. Part of the Greatest Generation - we stand on the shoulders of giants.

@kateapple1 Ай бұрын

What does this have to do with the video? 😅

@jeffreydickson8888 Ай бұрын

@@kateapple1 My Dad was one of the survivors of the Battle of the Huertgen Forest - it has everything to do with the video.

@bruce-xi4xc Ай бұрын

@@kateapple1 Slow?

@celtic2405 5 ай бұрын

I live not far from the Hürtgen Forest and hike there very often. Your documentation is one of the best I've seen to capture the context. A big compliment for that. Let us remember the fallen on both sides. When I hike there, I always think how well the boys on both sides could have gotten along in peace.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Wow! Thank you. That means a lot especially from someone who live there.

@celtic2405 5 ай бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground You're welcome. Excellent documentation and I look forward to the upcoming report on the Kall Trail. Where did you stay there? Have you also eaten deer or wild boar? If not, then you would have missed something.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

@@celtic2405 - I stayed in Simmerath. I've had plenty of deer and boar here in the U.S. but didn't have any while I was there. Wouldn't mind coming back and doing some hunting at some point.

@frontenac5083 5 ай бұрын

A little disturbing to hear you repeat "both sides" so much. One of these two sides were Nazi scum; you should not forget that.

@Chiller11 5 ай бұрын

Yes this battle was not a picnic for the German forces. I’ve seen different figures but the Americans suffered 34,000 to 38,000 killed and wounded but the Germans took around 28,000 casualties. It’s not like the Germans’ losses were insignificant and the dark foreboding atmosphere was the same for all the young men thrown into this campaign.

@pegzoconnor7205 4 ай бұрын

My father fought first division 16th infantry antitank start to finish World War III. Tunisia , North Africa, Sicily, Omaha Beach where he received the silver star, to the bulge. He must've been in this forest from hell. He passed away when I was only 15. He was in his 30s during the war. An immigrant from Northern Ireland. Enlisted before war started knowing it was coming. he never talked about it except to say the real heroes never came back. The more I learn about what he saw the more my heart breaks for him and also swells with pride. God bless them all our brave soldiers who gave their all ❤️ 🇺🇸 🙏

@earthwormjim91 4 ай бұрын

Wow ww3!

@thehaymaker8101 4 ай бұрын

My maternal grandfather was in the Hürtgen forest. He told of his time there only once, for a school project in put together during my senior year in high school. I had never seen him cry and it is not something that I will ever forget. His memories were so vivid, he told me he could still hear the explosions and smell the powder. I’m not sure that the young man that went over there ever came home.

@nom12345ify Ай бұрын

Unfortunately sounds like a lot of people had PTSD coming back & it was not something that was talked about and treated until very recently. I can’t imagine living with that trauma.

@johnsmith-ug5tp Ай бұрын

He didn't.

@thedetectorist 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for reporting on the Hürtgen forest. I live in Holland and i visit the forest often. You can walk for hours and just feel the spirits of all the good men who fought and died there. I install signs in the forest to honor the soldiers who didn’t survive. I noticed you captured a close-up of one (40-45, we will not forget). Appreciate it.

@MB-vu3ow 4 ай бұрын

My dad was in the 104th Inf. Div. (Timberwolves). I know he fought in France and Holland. ❤

@johnsmith-ug5tp Ай бұрын

That is sweet that you do that. TY

@yicub4347 Ай бұрын

So true, never forget our veterans ❤

@alexvangen745 5 ай бұрын

My grandfather was in the death factory in the 28th infantry division and then got transferred to the 76th infantry division after the battle of Hurtgen Forest. He served in nine combat campaigns during his 25 year career in both WW2 and the Korean War. Multiple silver stars multiple Purple Hearts. My grandfather literally had a chest of medals and I am proud I got to know him for 15 years of my life. He was my best friend. I will never have a friend like my grandfather. His passing left a void in my heart that hasn’t completely healed. I am better off mentally now than I was years ago. God bless Colonel Terry Anthony Vangen 1917 December 13th 2013 December 31st. God bless him and may god bless THE GREATEST Country on EARTH! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️

@WITHTEETH1 4 ай бұрын

Did he ever explain why they wouldn't send fighter bomber Thunderbolts or? To take out the howitzers instead of losing waves of infantry? God bless.

@alexvangen745 4 ай бұрын

@@WITHTEETH1 no my grandfather never mentioned anything about that. My grandfather retired as a full colonel. He always said to me “Alex there are some things I can’t tell you because I’d have to kill you” my grandfather served in military intelligence after WW2. He was awarded other medals too like defense distinguished service medal, Expert Pistol Badge Expert Rifleman badge, United Nations Medals etc. he was a part of JFK’s Executive Committee that dealt with govt response to Cuban missile crisis and he at the time worked at the Pentagon. A Joint Chiefs of Staff was at my grandfather funeral to give their condolences.

@brianwilson3133 4 ай бұрын

Wow, that man was a natural born warrior

@alexvangen745 4 ай бұрын

@@brianwilson3133 thanks! Yes he definitely was a soldier’s soldier. In fact he always let from the front lines as a captain. For example when he went out on combat patrols he led from the front of the patrol

@majorp7967 4 ай бұрын

My deepest respect!!@@alexvangen745

@jbrhel 5 ай бұрын

My Dad was in the Hurtgen Forest. He wouldn't talk about it. Ever.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Awful place.

@keithsifford5326 5 ай бұрын

Ditto. My dad was there also. Didn’t find out until the early 2000’s that he was there. He had passed away many years ago. 😢

@SunnyIlha 5 ай бұрын

It is actually a gigantic Graveyard.

@GhostofSicklesleg 5 ай бұрын

Horrible place, just seems like death hangs heavy there.

@MR.GetOVERiT13 5 ай бұрын

THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DOCTORS FAILED HIM HUH?

@dmperry1974 5 ай бұрын

I've visited Hürtgen Forest when stationed in Germany in the 90s right before I got out of the military. Felt very heavy. For every step you've taken, it seems someone is always watching.

@normalwhiteguy1555 Ай бұрын

Rip to those lost in combat, the forest is absolutely terrifying and beautiful at the same time

@thomashyler6174 5 ай бұрын

I remember a book called "The Battle of the Huertgen Forest" that I read back in the 70's. My Grandfather fought in WW2. He never talked about it. Thanks for the memories.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Awful place. Thanks for watching.

@eman2498 4 ай бұрын

I grew up near hürtgen. As I got older, I heard from a girlfriend’s father how this area was heavily fought over. As soon as I had my motorcycle license, I would visit the cemetery there and walk the woods often. Incredible place. Highly underrated area. Thanks for covering this.

@Elias-xu7uw 4 ай бұрын

Sad that they are putting windmills in places like this..

@chrisi7127 4 ай бұрын

@@Elias-xu7uw No, windmills are way better than coal mines

@Elias-xu7uw 4 ай бұрын

@@chrisi7127 coal isnt the only option. Windmills is one of the stupidest choices ever.. to power usa with windmills you would have to cover an area twice the size of california. Do you realise how crazy that is

@jerrybartlett273 4 ай бұрын

A very beautiful forest. I would love to explore the creeks and waterways going through there

@Bamaboy352 5 ай бұрын

"When Trumpets Fade" was a great movie about the Hurtgen Forest. It came out right before Saving Private Ryan and was one of my favorite movies when I was younger. I had never heard of that battle until that movie. Great video as usual 👍

@Loiyaboy 5 ай бұрын

I just commented on that as well. I'm glad someone else remembers that movie.

@Bamaboy352 5 ай бұрын

@@Loiyaboy Definitely underrated movie for it's time. Your post was spot on!! Movie did a great job at showing how they were just trying to survive....

@RDobbs-uv4xc 5 ай бұрын

It seemed like a low rent student film to me. But I'll watch anything WW2 so it has that going for it. Lol .

@chizorama 4 ай бұрын

It's in my collection, hidden gem.

@Mattsta2010 4 ай бұрын

@@RDobbs-uv4xc Made by HBO - in 1998, so 3 years before Band of Brothers. directed by John Irvin, the director of Hamburger Hill - That guy knows war movies!

@silverdecree885 5 ай бұрын

My grandfather was in the German army and never said anything but when someone asked you just saw him break down and cry

@IrishTechnicalThinker 5 ай бұрын

That opening shot is so haunting and eerie, it's a terrible beauty.

@cicikierstin4982 2 ай бұрын

My great grandfather was a medic in the 39th regiment of the 9th division. I never got much of a chance to talk to him because he passed when I was young. I’ve recently taken a great interest into the history of that time and my families involvement. His unit was the first to enter the hurtgen. Hearing the stories is truly horrifying. Much respect.

@jackiemontogmery125 2 ай бұрын

I just wonder if their was any family of the soldier who was found 50yrs after the war to be notified? This is one of the saddest places you've taken us to J.D. So many young men on both sides never got a chance to live their lives. Heartbreaking. Thanks for going there and telling the story. I was born in 1949, I've learned so much from your channel about US history . Also traveled to these places with you. My husband was a walking history buff. I miss being able to ask him questions. He passed away 10 yrs ago. He would have loved your channel. Grammy from Texas

@nathanbrocato8868 Ай бұрын

My Grandfathers brother Pvt. Sam Brocato died in Germeter, Kreis Düren, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest on December 11th 1944. He was apart of the 121st Infantry Regiment who were thrown into this meat grinder of a forest. Thank you for shining more light on this overlooked tragedy.

@sonofhawaii4227 5 ай бұрын

Those bomb craters are insane! I try to picture what it might have looked like when the bombs were dropped. It must’ve been absolutely terrifying.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Crazy.

@chrisphillips408 4 ай бұрын

My dad was in the 20th Combat Engineers regiment, attached to the 28th Infantry Regiment. He also was hesitant to want to talk of that period but I would persist and he answered a lot of my questions, especially after he had had a stroke. He was wounded on November 4, 1944 by artillery shrapnel at the base of his throat. He said the doctor at the aid station made him spit to see if there was any blood in it. They were trying to widen the Kall Tail so tanks could get up to Schmidt, I think it was. I sort of interviewed him back in the camcorder days and just recently got all my old vhs tapes transferred over to digital. I recommend anyone that has videos of loved ones that are on tape to get them on digital before those tapes deteriorate to far. I got a vcr that I verified was in good working order and bought video capture device. Was easy peasy. Great video! Thanks for traveling there and making the video!

@blindmelonstubbly 4 ай бұрын

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@griftinggamer 4 ай бұрын

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@markhewitt4307 5 ай бұрын

My grandfather was 28th Infantry Division. He never really talked about the war but did say he stood up from a foxhole and a German stood up from one. They were staring at each other pointing their weapons. When asked what happened, my grandfather said "I'm here and he's not." Then he said he thinks he's done talking about it. Makes me wonder if that took place in that forest.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Dang. Covering the 28th in the next video.

@markhewitt4307 5 ай бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground Awesome! It's so hard trying to find videos on them

@geraldsmith3215 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the great vid JD. My uncle fought with the 121st Infantry regiment in the Hurtgen. He took a large piece of shrapnel in his back that lodged against his heart. How he was evacuated from the front line to an aid station and then a hospital where they performed delicate surgery was quite a miracle. After a couple of months recuperating in England he made it home. Many of his buddies did not. He passed in 1990 and rarely spoke about the war.

@ralphgreenjr.2466 5 ай бұрын

I was a Major in 1984 in West Germany, working with the Bundeswehr on wartime planning for NATO. I had been working with the German Pioneer (engineer) command and become friends with all the Germans on the team, on a personal level (I have language capability). They knew I was a history buff and they would schedule field trips that just happened to be points of interest to a WWII buff. They took me to the Hurtgen Forest and discussed the battle from the German perspective. What impressed me the most was the number of mine warning signs. In 1984 there were still mines and booby traps in the forest from WWII. I imagine the clearing for the windmills was quite hazardous.

@cmc1024 5 ай бұрын

My grandfather fought with the 47th and I’m pretty sure the bulk of his PTSD came from this place. It’s where he got his Purple Heart, he of course was put back into service and made it across the Remagen bridge. Fascinating to see it. Would really like to see it one day.

@pegzoconnor7205 4 ай бұрын

My father born 1912 believe was there with first division anti-tank. fought start to finish World War II. Definitely suffered PTSD. When sister got collection his medals from VA was told today's army would never allow any soldier to fight every campaign like my father did. And like your grandfather, be put back into action after getting purple Heart. God bless them both and all who served. Truly the greatest generation. ❤️🙏❤️

@MrBradleyDavid 5 ай бұрын

A good friend of mine father fought there with the 28th Division. When I met him, I could tell he was still haunted by his experience there. He was with the division when it was activated and he was a National Guardsman. I recall seeing the casualties for many of the divisions were at this part of the war. Some had 250% or more casualties. I was at the US Mortuary Affairs in Frankfort escorting a deceased soldier back from Egypt in 1993, and saw all the photo albums they kept of the MIAs they had recovered since the wars end. It's not unheard to have a relic hunter to find someone missing after searching for equipment buried in the ground.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Got some 28th Division content coming up soon.

@MrBradleyDavid 5 ай бұрын

Thanks, I'll make sure my friend sees it.@@TheHistoryUnderground

@lightningrider2508 5 ай бұрын

Thank you. My dad was in the 78th and never talked of the battle or actually much about the war. It's nice to hear about the other divisions and units that fought, including his. Hats off to the 101'st but they didn't do it alone.

@cyndiebill6631 5 ай бұрын

My first thought before you even said it was those woods are eerie. The more I watched the more creepy it felt. The fox holes and the trenches made it even more so. Knowing soldiers from both sides laid and died in some of them even made it more so. This is going to be an interesting but very sad set of videos to watch. Thank you for telling the stories of these Heroes too.😔

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Heck of a place.

@pegzoconnor7205 4 ай бұрын

posted before my father fought big red one. 16 infantry start to finish World War Ididn't talk much about it & passed when I was young, but remember story everyone of his friends in foxhole blown to bits except him. He had angels watching him for sure. lost so many friends I wonder if it was in this forest from hell. Awarded silver star for Omaha Beach also Bronze Star believe taking out pillboxes, combat infantry patch and more. people call him a hero replied "no, the real heroes didn't came back." He was a heck of a man wish had had him around longer. Born in 1912 knew hunger and oppression leaving Derry Northern Ireland age of 18 for the freedom of America. enlisted before war knowing was coming. Only time ever back to Northern Ireland was right before D-Day. God bless him and all those brave men and women who truly saved the world. I can't imagine what they would think of it today. The mess we are in.

@cyndiebill6631 4 ай бұрын

@@pegzoconnor7205 ♥️😔

@randystolz 5 ай бұрын

I'm so glad you're covering Hurtgen Forest. Too many people today seem to think that we landed in Normandy, slogged through the Bocage for a month, broke out with Operation Cobra, then Patton hauled a$$ for 6 months across France, pausing to "rescue" the 101st at Bastogne, before hauling a$$ to the Eagle's Nest... The End. Months long Infantry slogs like Hurtgen aren't as cinematic, so are forgotten because no one's made a movie. Ty JD for making an effort to rectify that.🤓🤓

@twanklerks2462 5 ай бұрын

There actually is a movie about this battle: "When trumpets fade" (1998) Directed by John Irvin

@qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm3937 5 ай бұрын

That’s it. Seems as though there was the battle of the bulge and then the wars end in ETO, no in between. People forget about tbis and Operation Varsity, the fighting in and around Hagenau aswell

@Tobi-ln9xr 4 ай бұрын

No, nobody thinks that. The American and British landing was just a diversion to ease pressure on the Soviet troops in the east. The US and Britain played a minor role in ww2 in Europe. They were fighting against the stationary forces of Germany in the west because Germany’s main force was in the east and were even struggling against them.

@randystolz 4 ай бұрын

@Tobi-ln9xr The Russians took millions of casualties using the LendLease stuff American taxpayers bought and built and delivered to them. Allies MIGHT not have won without them. But your thesis that the Western war was merely a diversion is miopic and demonstrably false. It was a truly GLOBAL war.

@disobeytoday4685 4 ай бұрын

"The US and Europe played a minor role" So did the Germans

@janetcarey6954 5 ай бұрын

A new "never forget" piece of history. Well done.

@daleupthegrove6396 4 ай бұрын

The Hurtgen Forest and Operation Varsity are two campaigns that absolutely deserve more attention and investigation by historians.

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

100%

@lyndoncmp5751 2 ай бұрын

I wouldn't just stop at Varsity. The wider operation Veritable/Blockbuster/Grenade is fascinating. Getting through the Reichswald and Hochwald to the Rhine.

@tanker335 5 ай бұрын

I've watched this twice now. It's heart wrenching to know there are more soldiers, German and American, still unaccounted for from this battle. God bless all of them.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Awful place.

@tanker335 5 ай бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground Thank you for your time and effort. You make for a proud Missourian.

@tanker335 5 ай бұрын

Not to change the subject but have you made any videos on the gangsters from the 20's and 30's?

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

@@tanker335 not yet

@sandramosley2801 5 ай бұрын

“Places that hold the weight of memory”; that’s it in a few powerful words.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

@raven556 Ай бұрын

That is exactly how to describe areas that have been formed by war or tragedy. One place is the A dome in Hiroshima.

@markdaubenspeck4324 5 ай бұрын

Great video JD. My uncle Charles was with the 28th and was wounded there. He only spoke of it to me one time, when he said he avoided a large pine grove on the ridge above the family dairy farm because it reminded him too much of the Hurtgen forest.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Wow. We'll be showing stuff from his area in the next episode.

@markdaubenspeck4324 5 ай бұрын

@TheHistoryUnderground will be watching. Have read a lot of accounts from this battle. With the family connection, it hits close to home

@FishnMusic 5 ай бұрын

Just here to tell you history underground.... that I stopped watching t.v about 10 years ago. I live on KZfaq istead😂. Out of the thousands of channels, History Underground is unmatched. One of absolute favorite personal times is watching these videos. Very well done and thank you for investing time into this. We appreciate you.

@dachluhr 5 ай бұрын

Your process and structure of telling the stories is first class. Always feel moved after watching episodes.

@timwirasnik5878 5 ай бұрын

The first few shots of the Men walking through the woods in WW2 reminded me of The Ardenns Forest

@tanker335 5 ай бұрын

You knocked it out of the park as usual. Great job, young man! This battle deserves all the light you can shine on it. It was terrible.

@24kachina 5 ай бұрын

The Pacific theater best equivalent may be Peliliu, although there were hellish battles on every island we took including Okinawa at the end. But veterans' accounts of Pelilu are similar to Hurtgen - haunting, grueling, terrifying and brutal. And most didn't want to think or talk about it ever again.

@wendylcam 5 ай бұрын

You know how you look something up on the internet and one site leads to another, to another? Well your YT videos came up and so glad they did! I can’t get enough! Thank you! The 4 Vets returning to Hurtgen was wonderful! What hero’s! We owe them so much.

@skimmer8774 5 ай бұрын

Just being there in person must seem so profound. To realize you are standing in the same spots where men fought for their lives and victory against nazis. Thanks for this video.

@sd5241 4 ай бұрын

*Germans, dont use “Nazi”. Their leaders were, not those who fought.

@condabogoff973 5 ай бұрын

I just finished reading The Rifle and Rifle 2..thank you for recommending those books..I cried most way through it...your videos and these books surely did bring history of this war to a new understanding..my family members who were in this war rarely ever talked about it. .until they were very old. THANK YOU for all you do . God bless you and your family.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! I appreciate that!

@uffu2490 5 ай бұрын

I studied in Germany for about a year and it’s incredibly eerie seeing WW2 sites. My dorm (fun fact, that same dorm was where SS men slept) was near the Black Forest and, when I always took a walk in that forest, there were abandoned buildings with bullet holes, German watch towers and signs indicating mines. Additionally, my classrooms were in original Nazi administration buildings where they authorized forced sterilization. It was, to say the least, shocking. But I’m so glad they don’t destroy their history or forget their worst moments.

@terryeustice5399 5 ай бұрын

The Hurtgen Forest was a horrible fight.Absolutely the longest battle of WW2 . The Germans were so dug in it made it very difficult. This is a moving video JD . Thank you for honoring the US Army soldiers that gave their lives in this Forest. At the Zig Free line. Totally amazing. Thank you for sharing such a touching video! 💯👊👍

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! More on the way.

@SunnyIlha 5 ай бұрын

It's hard to try feel having to *go* *uphill* against the adversary shooting down into you as ground foot riflemen trying to move upwards. 17:57 It appears The Forest is now dotted everywhere with memorials after having *found* their *skeletons* . Here, American and German soldiers are memorialized together, where they all died together in the *same* *spot* . *Eight* of them killed right there.

@gunsandcommissions 5 ай бұрын

I agree. Thank you for not sensationalizing it. Your tone is appropriate.

@drop9482 4 ай бұрын

“Zigfree” line??? 🤦‍♂️ Can’t be more American than that

@davidbrian2570 5 ай бұрын

The battle often forgotten if you're not a WW2 buff/historian. This battle wasted more men, lack of general leadership and was a loss for the US Army! It was a meat-grinder and just was a terrible battle...I'm looking forward to the show!

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Awful. Hoping that these videos shine a bit more of a light on what these guys did.

@davidbrian2570 5 ай бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground I heard there is still thousands of land mines still there but in restricted areas, roped-off left from that battle?

@dbach1025 5 ай бұрын

You never cease to amaze, JD. Great job with this content, as usual.

@alexvangen745 5 ай бұрын

Read the book A dark and bloody ground by Edward G Miller. My grandfather met him and Edward G Miller signed my grandfather copy. I still have it btw

@31terikennedy 5 ай бұрын

Nonsense the Allies were advancing on Broad Front and the whole fight was a meat grinder. Look at the Ardennes Offensive.

@robertclifton9999 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for all you do. My dad Robert Clifton landed at Utah with the 238 Engineering Company B. Fought at Battle of the Bulge. I have several maps, ~German pistol and such. Just read About Bedford Boys and 238th. Band of brothers is next. Dad had all these books I have discovered. He passed Dec. 9,2009.

@stephenarno2032 5 ай бұрын

My dad was a combat engineer too in France Belgium Luxembourg then Germany he passed in 2017.

@twanklerks2462 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for creating this video. I've been there some years a go during a fieldtrip. When i arrived at the village Vossenack and looked into the direction of the village Schmidt i couldn't understand why it took that long for the Americans to get of the fields. Schmidt is clearly visible and it looked like there is just some open terrain with a small strip of forrest between both towns. But when i followed the trail into the forrest all came into perspective. There is a steep valley hidden in the woods. A densely wooded canyon. And it was filled with heavely armed Germans whom, at that time, were fully packed and equiped. And just a craggy narrow trail through it. (I assume that trail will appear in the next video's) I could only imagine what happend there, and that wouldn't even be close to reality. This place was hell. Great respect for those who went in and sacrificed themselves to free Europe from evil.

@24kachina 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic piece of documenting an often overlooked part of the American advance into Germany. My son is now 19, about the age of many of the boys / young men on both sides who followed orders and fought and died valiantly there. Such a horrible waste. And now Russia and Ukraine are repeating the same insane slaughter. When will the world learn from history that unjust wars of aggression ultimately never succeed.

@1psychofan 5 ай бұрын

I can tell I will be watching this several times! Very cool!

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Glad that you liked it!

@dtaylor10chuckufarle 4 ай бұрын

"Never fight the Nazis in the forest." - My dad, WW2 vet.

@ritamedina-molina8550 10 күн бұрын

Not all soldiers were nazis..please

@three6ohchris 5 ай бұрын

I'm ashamed to admit that I knew very little about the Battle of Hurtgen, as you mentioned that a lot of people are in the same boat as me. However, thanks to you I'm learning more about it now, which makes me immensely grateful for you hard work and dedication in bringing stories and information like this to the masses. I just wanted to say thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for everything that you're doing and keeping the memory alive of the brave men and women who fought in this war and others. I can't imagine the time, money, and energy it must take to do what you're doing but I just hope that you know what it means to people like me that you're doing this. It's a big deal and you deserve the recognition. Thanks again, JD. I very much look forward to future videos from you. I hope you have a blessed and Happy New Year with your family. God Bless. 🙏

@SandervkHistory 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic episode! You are outdoing yourself with each new video 👍

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

The map animations are the game changer :)

@ponderingthepast 5 ай бұрын

Man, I cannot thank you enough for this video. Prior to discovering your channel three years ago, I had no knowledge of WWII except that Pearl Harbor was an aerial invasion in Hawaii, Normandy was an all out assault, and that a flag was raised on Iwo Jima. Maybe I do not remember all the history from your videos, but I certainly appreciate the exposure. I particularly enjoyed the map and context you included at the beginning.

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Appreciate that.

@pbxn-3rdx-85percent 4 ай бұрын

My grandparents hid in the jungles here in the Philippines from the Japanese during World War 2. Most of their age group had stories of Japanese atrocities against civilians and allied soldiers. I remember some of their wartime stories. My grandmother's cousin was a Philippine Scout and was captured and was forced to join the Death March (April 1942) to Camp O'Donnell. He escaped by hiding under the big skirt of one of the lady bystanders who stood beside the road while the Allied prisoners (Filipino and American) were marching. He later joined one of the countless guerilla groups and survived the war. In the 1970s when many of the old folks were still alive, some of them would tell me snippets of their war experience when the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese. I saw their faces lit up when recounting the day the Americans finally came back to retake the Philippines from the Japanese. They only tell their stories once. I was puzzled why they won't talk about it again. To my young mind what they experienced was adventure. Later I realized they also remembered the pain of witnessing the deaths of many friends or neighbors or relatives when recounting their stories. The unprovoked barbarity of the Japanese was just imprinted in their minds, some of them would have moist eyes after telling me their stories. Remember that those old people still had Victorian era mindsets, customs and social etiquette adopted from the Spanish. So it was quite a shock to them how the Japanese would commit so hellish crimes.

@scottbivins4758 2 ай бұрын

I'm pretty sure they raised more than just an American flag to. Yall already know the south brought her flag there too😂😂🇺🇸 talking about in the Pacific battle fronts. Hell our boys raised ole glory an Dixie. I I s*** you not I have literally seen a picture of I reckon Southern US soldiers raising the Rebel flag on one of the island we had took back from the Japanese.

@chizorama 4 ай бұрын

WWII struck an interest for me at an early age, but I didn't hear, or know, about this battle for many years. Thank you for shedding some light on it & showing it to us.

@debrasams2362 5 ай бұрын

It seems that there is still so many unknowns from the war. It is terribly sad that bodies have been so long before being found. I cannot imagine the sadness and wondering their families endured. Thanks for sharing. This area is an unknown for me. It is fascinating.

@brutter602 5 ай бұрын

The Pak36 was know as the door knocker. Because it was inadequate in combat, all it did was alert the enemy to the location of the troops operating it. “We’re over here “

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Ha!

@natbarron 7 күн бұрын

Been a minute since I’ve watched your films (just going through my own battles I guess - that of which don’t compare to our brothers and sisters on the battlefield) Thanks for being a constant. Thanks for being a man of faith. You’re an inspiration, brother!

@Bullrider33Outdoors 5 ай бұрын

J.D Is This Our Late Christmas Present From You 😂

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

@vaashark393 26 күн бұрын

My grandfather was in the 78th. Sadly he passed before I ever met him but always happy to learn more about where he was fighting at.

@facubeitches1144 5 ай бұрын

Many years ago, I read a memoir from an infantry officer who was in the Huertgen. In 18 days on the line, his company suffered 270% casualties among the enlisted, and 300% among the officers. He was the only 1 of 15 officers who made it unscathed.

@chrisrutter9375 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic episode JD, looking forward to the rest of the Hurtgen forest episodes! Especially Hill 400!

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm not sure if anyone has done anything on KZfaq that shows Hill 400.

@chrisrutter9375 5 ай бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground I’m not 100% sure tbh but if they have they won’t match yours!

@jonorr7984 5 ай бұрын

That was amazing! People need to know about this place. Horrible battles fought here.

@tinaboissonneau 5 ай бұрын

Wow that was amazing, the bunkers, the fox holes, the bomb craters, there was so much to learn in this video!! To see where our veterans fought for us! Amazing J.D. can't wait for the next episode!

@user-so6gu4xw1w 5 ай бұрын

JD- thx so much for your Hurtgen Forest shows- my father in law was WIA there in Dec '44 as a radio op infantry man for his company CC. My wife and I visited there w/a guide like your Tobias using my father in law's unit history to do our best to determine his location when he was WIA. Thx for the superb briefing on the US's strategy which many historians and military experts (including me as a 41 yr USAF vet) are critical of. We look forward to your Kaal trail video and hopefully your trek X the Kaal "river" up the hill toward Schmidt. I' m sure Tobias will show you the US tank track still on the climb. BTW, Gen Model is buried in a nearby German cemetary. If you'd like to see our pictures from our visit (along w/subscribers), pls advise how I can send them. One again, we are so appreciative of your visit as it honors my father in law along w/everyone who served and fought in the Hurtgen. Blessings!

@fetidcreeper 2 ай бұрын

This is definitely not Pennsylvania or Virginia... Didn't realize this was your channel, I've only seen your civil war content. Keep history alive brother

@rickcook6867 5 ай бұрын

I just wanted to thank you for all the great work you do, I feel like I am there when I watch your episodes, you do a wonderful job. God bless you.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@kevinmathis1278 5 ай бұрын

This looks awesome. I can't wait to watch it after work tonight. Thanks for all the great content you post on KZfaq. Very high quality, always entertaining and informative.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@LiberalinOregon 4 ай бұрын

My dad fought in this forest during WWII. I was under the impression he was in the Arden forest, but his military records show he was sent to this area to fight Nazis, December 44- January 45, until he was injured. He really didn’t talk about his time there, other to say he never wanted to return.

@pimhoff 5 ай бұрын

My mother was born in Stolberg and immigrated in 1933. This summer my wife and I visited Stolberg. Long story short, I contacted the tourist bureau and after a lot of back and forth, realized that the 30 year old running the tourist office’s great grandfather (Camillus) was my grandmothers brother. My mother was named after him. We even found the house my mother lived in 1933 before coming to the states. They told me that Camillus had three different houses leveled by bombing during the war.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Wow!

@bobleicht5295 5 ай бұрын

German forces typically did not have clear fields of fire from the majority of these bunkers; instead they retreated to them for protection from arty, and then came out to fighting positions to repel attacks. Afterwards, Army engineers found the best way to demolish the bunkers was to fill them with water and then use demolitions, which were inadequate by themselves.

@darkstardan3309 5 ай бұрын

In 2010 I was in Austin, TX visiting the State House and all. There were two older men with their families and wearing WWII hats. One was a fighter pilot and I believe he said he flew sorties over this battle forest. He was silly and happy-go-lucky and mentioned he would fly over his buddy's head of whom he was with this day. The other man walked with a limp from a war wound and was a bit more reserved. I asked his experiences and he mentioned he was an infantryman in the Hurtgen Forest battle and said his injury (mortar) saved his life. He absolutely believed he would have died if not injured. Said the German 88s were devastating. I was prying for more and his daughter stopped me as she knew he did not like reliving some of his memories and could sense he was being affected. She said his story is in the National Archives. I have pics of these two men but cannot remember their names. They've both probably passed on by now as they were seniors then, but God bless them all - both sides of the battle lines.

@aegontargaryen9322 2 ай бұрын

I just found your site by accident but I must say it’s very well done and I’ve subscribed. You know your history sir . My full respect to all the American servicemen who served here. I can’t imagine what those guys went through

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Much appreciated.

@MikeKmet 5 ай бұрын

thank you for this. my dad was badly injured there, with the 4th, 22nd. never talked about it ever. my dad went through DDay, Cherbourg, carried a BAR at 18, 19 at the Hurtgen. I wish I asked him about this. he died long ago, the war shortened his life, he had PTSD at least some what. interesting Ernest Hemmingway was attached to that unit, he left, his ex said he was never the same.

@nicktrueman224 5 ай бұрын

Well he didn't fight and suffer in vain. Without him and 100 000s of other allied troops, whole families millions may not have been saved. I know because my family was liberated by US inf.

@pegzoconnor7205 4 ай бұрын

God bless your dad and you. Believe my father was there, also at Omaha, Sicily, Tunisia, North Africa. Believe shortened his life as well. Passed when I was 15. Born 1912. Hospitalized after the war PTSD later married my mother 1950 and actually had 11 children. Me when he was 50, 2 more up to age 55. never heard him curse in my life. A kind loving man. Remember he would answer phone with his Irish accent and say "come in Berlin." I am studying everything about him & war, it's pretty hard to take. Have some photos. Enlistment/discharge papers. Some years ago locals did tribute to him on memorial day. don't think he would've liked that. Because as he said and I never forget "the real heroes didn't come back" God bless them all and God bless us and help us the surviving children Trying to wrap our heads around the horrors our parents suffered ❤️🙏❤️👍🇺🇸💯

@carlamans63 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this history! Been there with our team some time ago. I’m a volunteer for Fields of Honor Foundation, giving faces to their names, US fallen, buried or commemorated at Ardennes, Henri-Chapelle, Lorraine, Epinal, Margraten and Luxembourg.

@BorneoBatman 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for your commitment to accurately preserve history. I was also confused to hear a battlefield was disturbed to cut down trees. Cut down trees that produce oxygen to put in windmills. It all sounds kind of counterproductive.

@Kededian 4 ай бұрын

I live a 40 minutes drive from this place, and never heard of this great battle that took place here. (And im a ww2 geek) Now i have to visit this forest and museum this year. Thnx for the video!

@Eds_PanAm 5 ай бұрын

I don't know too much about this battle. I've only read one book on it, thank you for sharing.!!!! 🤘🏻

@erikguth4830 4 ай бұрын

Best possible walk through time ever traversed.

@guynisot8765 4 ай бұрын

Bravo et merci pour votre très intéressante vidéo retraçant ces événements historiques de la bataille des Ardennes en Belgique avec son prolongement en Allemagne très parlant même autant d'années après ces événements... très bon travail et encore merci pour le partage ! ✌️

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@AnestaKrautz 5 ай бұрын

‘When trumpets fade’ great movie taking place in the Hurtgen Forest.

@edycrowley2878 4 сағат бұрын

Thank you so much! Your coverage on the subject is so informative and compelling. And thank you for showing the maps. I subscribed...you earned it!

@johnnystephenson5934 4 ай бұрын

I just watched this episode. It hits close to home for me. It's rarely mentioned in Documentaries but the Huertgen forest was first entered by the 110th Infantry 17 September 1944. They met Heavy resistance and withdrew. My uncle was killed in the Huertgen Forest on 17 September 1944. He was at first reported missing action, then his body was recovered in October or November. I don't know how many the 110th left behind, but I know my uncle was one of the very first to fall in the Huertgen Forest. My Father joined the 9th infantry division as a replacement just after the Huertgen Forest.

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Man, those guys in the 110th got hit hard. Awful ordeal.

@donculver153 5 ай бұрын

Thanks JD. Happy Holidays.

@ShaunUnderwoodx 5 ай бұрын

One of, if not the best doc on KZfaq I have watched to-date ,I have not yet had to respect of visit "Hürtgen Forest" but i have driven past this..I always looked while driving past . Its sad why we did not just bypass this but They did things very different to how we operate these days. Heroes, every last guy who fought and died for only feet and yards We shall never forget ..Sadly some nations within the EU behaves these days towards its history they forget who freed them. Thanks for everything JD... your the man ..Happy new year ..wishing you all the best for 2024

@kamikaze2666 5 ай бұрын

Words can’t describe how much I appreciate your content

@user-cq7zm7rg6i 4 ай бұрын

First, I wanted to say how much I love your channel! Second, I was a tank crewman in 4ID. Having said that I am proud of the history and heritage of the 4th ID, especially the battle of Hurtgen Forest. I think its one of the forgotten battles of WWII.

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@LLBP. 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your service Sir! ❤

@christopherjames836 Ай бұрын

When I was stationed in West Germany in the late 1980s, We did a month long ftx which included patrolling thru part of the Hurtgen Wald. I will never forget the shell craters everywhere. D/Co. 3/36 Inf. 3rd. Armored Div. Later re designated D Squadron 5/5 CAV 3rd. Armored Div.

@MrEaglesfan40 5 ай бұрын

Outstanding video JD very well done sir Thank you

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Thank you kindly

@stephenrrose 4 ай бұрын

I can't even imaging the Hell that was unleashed on those soldiers! Your video gives the sense of how serial those woods are now as you walk through. Thank you for conveying that and I could feel it as you told the history! Thank you JD. Thank you for the history, and what all soldiers went through......Humbling.

@Forrixify 4 ай бұрын

it's eerie and chilling when you're born in Stolberg and lived in the village of hürtgen for years. my dad still lives there.

@ProjectPast1565 5 ай бұрын

Seeing those bomb craters was surreal. Thanks for another incredible video.

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

Pretty wild. Thanks!

@hunterprowsemrereviews9141 5 ай бұрын

Boy talk about a haunting area these days to see. The Hürtgen Forest or Der Hürtgenwald was absolutely nuts of a battle. There was basically no cover besides hiding behind a tree. And that cover frequently got blown up from German artillery exploding the trees. Best cover was literally digging a fox hole and get under ground the Wehrmacht already built the best cover there with their bunkers. Except when it came to allied bombing! The Siegfried line is so haunting to see nowadays, there are so many dragon teeth left it’s eerie to see. It will forever remain as an eerie haunting reminder of WWII and the German western boarder. It’s also kinda fascinating to see it too, to think what a task it must’ve been to construct it. Putting all those dragon teeth in place on the entire western German boarder. A boarder that stretches literally at least a thousand miles!

@friskylizard7969 4 ай бұрын

I just happened across your video and man, such in depth history and also getting to see awesome footage of the area. Traveling to these kinds of places is something I will probably never get to do so your video was awesome for someone like me. Automatically got a subscriber, thanks again.

@TheHistoryUnderground 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! I appreciate that. Feel free to share it out with a few others. 🙂

@gizmopower3150 5 ай бұрын

Super video.. So enjoyable watching these.. Great work 👍🏻

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

👊🏻

@luskimo1 5 ай бұрын

honestly..had never heard or read about it until your videos..always learning new things

@YuriBeckers9thID 5 ай бұрын

Great video J.D.! Great footage of the area and thank you for mentioning the often overlooked 9th Infantry Division!

@Chris-Nico 5 ай бұрын

Just excellent JD! Thank you for this history. I’m liking the moving map animations 👍

@frankmarullo228 5 ай бұрын

Another awesome video JD. Thank you. PS. We must never forget ! It was battles like this that must be remembered. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA.....

@keithmitchell6918 5 ай бұрын

Those German fields of fire were sick - Gettysburg-esque but with cover & concealment - and yet nature will reclaim - and loved the "charred something" Recondo

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 ай бұрын

😅

@dannydetiege7530 5 ай бұрын

amazing video, thanks! Huertgenwald is my favorite hiking area, and indeed when you walk there alone you are in awe of what those men must have gone through. Respect!

@Ryan-xe7gv 5 ай бұрын

Been watching your content for a couple of years now. Glad to see you have the followers it so deserves. I can see you’ve come along way even with the detail of the videos in editing and camera views. Keep up the great work.