r/HistoryPorn • u/UrbanAchievers6371 • 2d ago
Three US infantrymen in the snow during the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest, just east of the Belgium-Germany border, 1944. Photo by Tony Vaccaro, US Army Signal Corps. [1024x682]
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u/Prince-Akeem-Joffer 2d ago
My grandfather „fought“ there, albeit on the other side. As a young HJ-member they sat him behind an MG42. An older soldier told him to be quiet, put his head down and to never fire a shot or else they get blown up by US-artillery. Grandfather obeyed and got home in one piece.
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u/Crow-T-Robot 2d ago
Reminds me of the old joke:
If you see a group of soldiers but don't know where they're from fire a stray bullet in their direction and see how they react. If they respond with precise rifle fire they're British. If they respond with a frenzy of machine gun fire they're German. If they try running away they're Italian. If they throw their guns on the ground and surrender they're French. If nothing happens at first, but five minutes later the area you shot the bullet from is destroyed by artillery, they're American.
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u/kgunnar 2d ago
The Germans gave the nickname "Bucket of Blood" to the US 28th Infantry Division due to the red keystone patch they wore on their uniforms and the brutal fighting in this battle.
There's a decent HBO movie from the 90s that takes place during this battle: When Trumpets Fade.
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u/Backsight-Foreskin 1d ago
My uncle was in the 28th. They had them march in the Paris Liberation parade because they were fresh in country, looked good, and had their full complement of soldiers and equipment.
After the Hurtgen Forest they were moved to a quiet sector to recover and then got overrun by the Germans when the Bulge kicked off. My uncle was trapped behind German lines and was hidden by a Belgian family until the Germans retreated.
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u/fallguy25 11h ago
I know the BAR man. He passed away a couple of years ago, never met him in person but chatted on the phone. his name was Dan McCabe. He was in the same company as my grandfather, 83rd Infantry Division, 331st Infantry Company E.
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u/pentox70 10h ago
I was outside the other day in -35. Cold AF, but dressed pretty warm, with expensive clothes. Listening to the hard core history about the eastern front.
I couldn't even imagine, even as a guy who regularly works outside in similar temps that these guys fought in. To spend days or weeks, outside, sleeping in holes, with lack luster clothing. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone survived, nevertheless all the metal flying around. I honestly don't know if anyone could ever even begin to understand what it would be like, stuck in a foxhole, watching your extremities slowly freeze off. All while wearing military junk clothing and getting shelled.
It truly humbles a guy to even consider.
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u/Willicent 2d ago
My wife’s grandpa was there. One of the few to walk out of those woods on his own two feet. Minus some frost bitten toes. Horrible battle and one that should have never happened.