This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2012) |
Battle of Crucifix Hill | |||||||
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Part of World War II | |||||||
German soldiers on the hill. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Germany | United States | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Gerhard Wilck | Henry G. Leonard, Jr. |
The Battle of Crucifix Hill was a World War II battle that took place on 8 October 1944, on Crucifix Hill (Haarberg, Hill 239), next to the village of Haaren in Germany and was a part of the U.S. 1st Division's campaign to seize Aachen, Germany. The Battle of Aachen was part of the Drive to the Siegfried Line. The hill was named after a large crucifix mounted on the top of the hill. The objective of the battle was to gain control of the hill, which was laced with a maze of pillboxes and bunkers, so that the main objective of encircling Aachen could be completed. The hill was held by units of the German 246. Volksgrenadierdivision.