Battle for Aachen During World War 2

Aachen, the city that was notoriously known for being turned into a fortress by the Germans during World War II due to the rich, sentimental value Hitler saw in it; it is heavily guarded and protected by its vast array of barbed wiring, pillboxes, anti-tank obstacles, and other barriers, was penetrated by American forces. Also remembered for being the longest city fight of the war for the United States, the Battle of Aachen was an urban battle that lasted for nineteen days until American troops successfully occupied the city and its premises. Despite the Battle of Aachen being a significant victory for the United States during World War II. Several details and chunks of information given by the media coverage. And the press at the time were mildly exaggerated. And skewed when compared to the details and information given by historians today. Reasons for these slight exaggerations at the time could possibly be due to there being a high tendency for showing bias and nationalism from journalists that were from the United States, in general. During World War II and the Battle of Aachen in particular. Besides the slight exaggerations made by American journalists. A majority of the information that was published at the time seemed extremely clear and reasonable, since the information and events from the Battle of Aachen have been justified and elaborated upon by historians throughout the years.

Prior to reaching the German border on September of 1944. The fatigued American troops that were accompanied by British and Canadian troops had just concluded their long. Bloody battle that liberated Paris. Successfully removing the Germans from the northwestern region of France. As the allied powers was proclaimed victorious in the Battle of Normandy. Hence, the route to break through the Siegfried Line— Germany’s system of pillboxes and defense built along Germany’s border— has ignited. Despite having little effect at first, the attacks that occurred on October 2, 1944, began with heavy bombardment and bombing on the city’s defenses which sparked the Battle of Aachen (“What Was the Significance of the Battle of Aachen?”). Conforming towards the evidence that has been justified by historians over the years, described as a “definite break-through” of the Siegfried Line, the New York Times published its newspaper on October 3, 1944, titled “Exploiting of New Breach Watched Now as the Test” referred to the premature stages that led to the deterioration of the city of Aachen as it was being stormed with American troops, and in the same article, it states that “the pace of the fighting was slower than yesterday’s, yet more was accomplished”, implying that the Americans accomplished far more at the Battle of Aachen on October 3, on the second day of the battle rather than the first day, conforming with what has been historically justified (“Exploiting of New Breach Watched Now as the Test”).

On October 10, 1944, it has been reported by the New York Times. That the Germans “threw seven violent counter-attacks” to slow down the American forces. That made their way through the city based off the newspaper headline titled “German Assaults Reveal Mobility” (“German Assaults Reveal Mobility”). Historically, it has been justified that the five days that occurred after the American breach. Of the Siegfried Line was the toughest period of time for the Americans in order for them to advance deeper into the city of Aachen, which resulted in the failure of the army to link up in the center of the city (“What Was the Significance of the Battle of Aachen?”). The reports from the newspaper article that was published on October 10, 1944, under the headline “Americans Pinned Down”, managed to elaborately encapsulate the results that occurred after the start of the American breach of the Siegfried Line. As mentioned throughout the article, the counter-attacks by the Germans not only managed to slow down the advancement of American troops as they entered into the city of Aachen, but drastically raised the amount of casualties the Americans accumulated (“What Was the Significance of the Battle of Aachen?”).

As the last of the German counter-attacks started diminishing. It has been reported that on October 12, 1944, under the headline “Doom for Aachen”. The Americans unleashed their artillery of the heaviest calibers. As bombs were pouring in on the city from all sides, and advancing their infantry deeper into the city of Aachen (“Doom for Aachen”). The depiction of the current scene implied that Germany was eventually gaining weaker and weaker as they gain more casualties (“Doom for Aachen”). As reported under the same headline. The surrender ultimatum was proposed by the Americans prior to them unleashing their artillery of the heaviest calibers on all sides of the city (“Doom for Aachen”). It was also reported under the same headline that the German commander of Aachen was responsible for rejecting the American ultimatum for surrender, fueling the enraged Americans to unleash their artillery along with pushing their infantry deeper into German territory (“Doom for Aachen”). Unfortunately, majority of the information that was depicted under the headline “Doom for Aachen” was not extremely fabricated, but misinformative; the German commander of Aachen was not responsible for rejecting the American’s surrender ultimatum that was proposed, the rejection was based on Hitler’s orders (“The Influence of the Enlightenment on the Revolution”). The brief information that is stated under this headline, in contrast with other newspaper articles that were published in accordance with the Battle of Aachen manages to display a very high sense of patriotism and nationalism when describing and illustrating the events that occurred on the days prior it was published; the author expresses the German’s answer to not surrendering to the ultimatum as an “apparent symptom of what we [Americans] must expect on German soil”, which implies that the Germans, despite being put in such a difficult situation, desperately manage to not surrender, or give up, but instead to rush up heavy reinforcements (“Doom for Aachen”). Subjectively, the author concludes the headline with the quote “they wanted war, they shall have it”, which delivers the “final touches” of the nonneutral, nationalistic report.

Pillbox after pillbox were seized and taken down by the Americans. As they stormed through the outlying town of Übach. Engaging in violent flamethrower, bangalore torpedo, and hand-grenade battles. After the Americans drew first blood over the Germans. The new German 81st Corps commander. General Kochling, expected for the arrival of the reinforcements he was promised (“The Influence of the Enlightenment on the Revolution”). Despite the fact that Kochling’s reinforcements were dispatched earlier. Allied air attacks managed to heavily delay Kochling’s promised reinforcements. By managing to hit the German’s rail lines; diminishing German supplies (“The Influence of the Enlightenment on the Revolution”). On October 15, 1944, a few days after the Americans confidently. Marched their way through Übach. Under the New York Times headline titled “Germans Halt Aid”. Accurate depictions can be made towards the Germans. That they were having a tough time trying to handle the American encirclement that has occurred. As the Americans managed to surround Aachen’s perimeter. As allied air attacks managed to attack against the rail center of Cologne. As planned, and the river port of Duisburg which lied east and northeast of the Aachen area (“Germans Halt Aid.”). What was reported on that day. Specifically the impact that the air attacks and the heavy artillery had on the Germans as they “received a rough handling”. Conforms with what has been historically proven and is historically accurate. Little than a week later. The Germans finally surrendered. Losing over 5000 casualties (“What Was the Significance of the Battle of Aachen?”).

Overall, it is evident the Americans had both ups. And downs as they encircled the city of Aachen, storming through the city. And piercing the Siegfried Line. The Battle of Aachen is definitely associated. With one of the most significant battles that the Americans fought in throughout World War II. Giving what an American reader wanted at the time. Which was accurate and detailed information on what was occurring in the eastern part. Of the world, the news reports managed to fulfill just that. Informing the general public on the Battle of Aachen. Conforming with what has been historically justified over time.

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