Battle for the Hurtgen forest

The Battle for the Hürtgen Forest took place from 19 September to 16 December 1944 along the German-Belgian border. U.S. forces launched the offensive to secure a route into Germany, but faced fierce resistance from entrenched German troops. The battle was marked by brutal forest combat, harsh weather conditions, and high casualties (33,000 to 55,000 U.S. wounded or dead). After losing the battle the United States Army licked their wounds in the Ardennes. Not giving the allied forces any rest the German high command took the initiative and started the Battle of the Bulge on the 16th of December 1945.