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by Robert W. Baumer.
Softcover (7.4×9.7 inches). 426 pages. 2015.
Subtitle: The US Army’s Battle for Charlemagne’s City in World War II
This recap of the US Army’s WWII drive to Aachen, German counter-attack, and ultimate capture of the city offers an extensive examination of platoon- and company-sized engagements.
Much of the approach meant battling German infantry in pillboxes, which were taken one at a time using flamethrowers, grenades, direct tank fire, and other close actions. While a few held out until all defenders were killed, the majority surrendered after not too much of an attack. Poor morale was one of the reasons.
The German doctrine of counter-attack also meant that sometimes intact pillboxes were lost due to US retreats and had to be taken anew.
The same went for villages defended, captured, lost, and recaptured. There are more than a few tabletop scenarios that can be lifted from the text. As for the city itself, the house-to-house fighting receives ample coverage. Nice terrain descriptions inside the city and out.
The book contains 38 black and white photos and six black and white maps. I’d like to see more maps — six doesn’t do the text justice.
Otherwise, this is a nice, sharp tactical-level examination of a US attack on the first German city of the Western Front.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
