Allies (United States)Objective
The Allied objective was to clear the forest, protect the flank of the advance, and reach the Roer River dams before Germany could use them defensively.
Hurtgen ForestAlliesTanks
The Battle of Hurtgen Forest was a long, attritional campaign fought along the German border from September to December 1944.
Axis (German Army)Objective
The Axis objective was to exploit the terrain, fortifications, mines, and artillery to slow the Americans and preserve the western defense line.
The battle became one of the U.S. Army's costliest European campaigns and delayed the push toward the Rhine.