Keith Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 As the one time capital of the Holy Roman Empire and as the first city in Germany threatened with capture, the city of Aachen was an important symbol of National Socialism. For these reasons Hitler ordered a fanatical house-by-house "last stand". The city's defense rested in the hands of Col. Gerhard Wilck. The German high command told Wilck that he was to hold the city "to the last man,and if necessary allow himself to be buried under its ruins". The American First Army plan was to encircle Aachen and maintain a strong shield against German relief attempts while the city was being reduced. As part of the operation to encircle Aachen, the veteran American 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division was tasked to attack northward and capture Crucifix Hill (Hill 239), a crucial objective that was bristling with a maze of pillboxes and was crowned by a giant crucifix atop the hill. To assault Crucifix Hill and the surrounding ridges, Col. Smith, the 18th Infantry commander, organized special pillbox assault teams equipped with flame-throwers, Bangalore torpedoes, and demolition charges. In addition, a battery of tank destroyers and self-propelled guns were prepared to spew direct fire against the pillboxes. Captain Bobby Brown's Company "C" received orders for the attack on Crucifix Hill and its bunker complex. As the leading rifle platoon assaulted the first of many pillboxes studding the rising ground, heavy fire from a flanking emplacement raked it. An intense artillery barrage fell on the American troops that were pinned down in an exposed position. Captain Brown, a boxing champion who had earned a battlefield commission in Normandy, grabbed a pole charge, crawled and then sprinted toward the pillbox with bullets whipping around him. Capt. Brown rammed the demolition charge down the aperture of the pillbox, blowing it up. Next, Capt. Brown proceeded to knock out two more pillboxes, including the largest and most heavily armed fortification on the hill, which contained a turret mounted-88-mm gun. Once Crucifix Hill was secured Capt.Brown enabled his company to throw back two powerful German counterattacks with heavy losses. By his indomitable courage, fearless leadership, and outstanding skill as a soldier, Capt. Brown contributed in great measure to the taking of Crucifix Hill. For these actions Capt. Brown received the Congressional Medal of Honor. http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted January 11, 2002 Author Share Posted January 11, 2002 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Sniper Posted January 12, 2002 Share Posted January 12, 2002 were can I get it?? SS Peiper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panther G Posted January 12, 2002 Share Posted January 12, 2002 Get it at the CM Scenario Depot. Regards, Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted January 22, 2002 Author Share Posted January 22, 2002 Bada-bing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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