"General Omar Bradley, a prominent U.S. Army commander during World War II, is known for his grim reflection on the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. He famously remarked about advancing U.S. forces over the bodies of their fallen comrades, highlighting the brutal and costly nature of the battle."
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https://www.airforcetimes.com/veterans/military-history/2025/11/19/how-the-battle-of-hurtgen-forest-became-one-of-the-biggest-us-losses/ General Norman Cota of the 28th Infantry aka The Bloody Bucket lost the reputation he had earned at Omaha Beach on June 6th.
OH what an excellent summary! Thank you.
When I studied this battle at Command and General Staff College, I was appalled. Well it was taught for a reason . . .
It's battles like this that need to be taught in ALL THE SERVICES and to expound on WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM WAS!!!!!!!!!
I also shudder at Hamburger Hill, Pork Chop Hill, so many, too many. Yes, the battles are taught, and those that are not -- well every serious member of the military has read a lot of books! Reflectively read, as in "what would I have done?"
Although my shelves are full, I sold my book about the Battle of Chosin River. I decided I do not need to read that again! I sold my video of Stalingrad, same reason. I GET all that horror, which is in my military mind of lessons learned: not generic horror of war in general, but review of specific horror, from specific military engagements, specific strategy, and tactics. I could not even finish Guy Sajer The Forgotten Soldier.
Hi ArmyLady. The Forgotten Soldier is an excellent book. Another excellent book is "Chicken Hawk". It's about a Vietnam War helicopter pilot flying UH 1 Iroquois. Well worth the read.
Thx! I started reading military bios and history in about 8th grade. One of the first was Rommel.
A fascinating bio study is General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. He was legend.
https://youtu.be/mxoONQPRfds?si=KpjJHlNN48cFm3K_
OH YES! One of the things I liked about the show Blue Bloods was his picture on the wall of the Police Commissioner . . . Tom Selleck.
You are entirely welcome AL.
Never Forget! as we are rightfully celebrating a phenomenal rescue! that not every troop was brought back. Maybe they believed the promise that they would be brought back as they were walking over the pulverized remains of their own; maybe they didn't . . . BUT they went on the FIGHT. God BLESS them all and one!
Good to keep it all in perspective in the midst of successful operations.
Yes this was a magnificent operation! But I am haunted?? by the ones who never came back, at least want to recall them to memory . . .
Absolutely. Our joy always needs to be tempered a little by the memory of those not here to celebrate with us. Their stories also need to be told so their bravery and sacrifice are not forgotten.
Some one in the attack always advances the fight over fallen bodies
these had been run over by vehicles and smashed into the mud