@218@BLOODY AACHEN @4@

@218@SUBJ: TACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR @4@21 OCT. 1944

@218@AMERICAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    The battle for Aachen has dragged on for several weeks. The German defenders control the city center, but have been surrounded, and all German attempts to reach the garrison have failed.
    You are in command of an armored battalion sized Task Force ordered to capture the city center and end all German resistance.

@218@AMERICAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the American sector:
 - Task Force Hogan, including elements of CCA/3rd Armored Division and elements of the 30th Infantry Division.

@218@GERMAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    The remnants of the 246th Volksgrenadier Division, reinforced by Kampfgruppe Rink of the 1st SS Panzer Division, are the last organized units holding in Aachen. Attempts to breakthrough the American encircling forces by Ist SS Panzer Korps have failed.
     You are in command of the remaining units in Aachen. You are ordered to hold the city center as long as possible.


@218@GERMAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the German sector:
 - elements of the 246th Volksgrenadier Division, and elements of the Kampfgruppe Rink, 2/1 SS Panzergrenadier Reg/1st SS Panzer Division

@218@WEATHER:@4@ Overcast Skies


@218@AFTER ACTION REPORT @4@
    Aachen was the first major German city to be reached by the advancing American armies and a linch pin of the Westwall. After the successful penetration of the West wall just south of the city, it required two weeks for the city to be surrounded by the 1st and 30th infantry divisions, with heavy armored support, and an additional week to take the city, greatly aided by the commitment of parts of the 3rd Armored division. Despite the heavy resistance of the German garrison, it was forced to surrender on 21 October.
