Battle of Hill 609

Battle of Hill 609
Part of the Tunisia Campaign of World War II

Tunisia Campaign operations 20 April to 13 May 1943.
Date27 April – 1 May 1943[1]
Location36°54′8″N 9°29′40″E / 36.90222°N 9.49444°ECoordinates: 36°54′8″N 9°29′40″E / 36.90222°N 9.49444°E
Djebel Tahent, Tunisia
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States  Germany
Commanders and leaders

United States Omar Bradley
(II Corps)
United States Charles W. Ryder
(34th Infantry Division) Terry de la Mesa Allen, Sr.

(1st Infantry Division (United States))		 Nazi Germany Hans-Jürgen von Arnim
Strength
II Corps Elements from the Afrika Korps
Casualties and losses
2,453[2] Unknown

The Battle of Hill 609 took place at Djebel Tahent in northwestern Tunisia during the Tunisia Campaign. The battle was for control over the key strategic height Hill 609 and its surrounding area between the American forces of the US II Corps and German units of the Afrika Korps.[3] The battle proved a formative experience for the American forces and has been called "the American Army's coming-of-age".[4]

Battle

In late April 1943, Hill 609 was the key to the German defensive line facing the American II Corps. The German general Von Arnim used the hill for artillery fire and observation. From the hill, the Germans could also prevent movement by both the 1st Division to the south and the 9th Division to the north. Hill 609 was deemed one of the most difficult objectives in Tunisia, not only protected by steep slopes and artillery but also by fire from nearby high grounds, which gave the Germans a cross fire on the slopes leading up to it.[5] After rejecting the proposition of bypassing the mountain, II Corps commander Omar Bradley ordered the 34th Infantry Division commanded by Charles W. Ryder, to take the hill.[6] After heavy fighting and high casualties, the 34th Division managed to take the hill by April 30th and the following day repelled several German counterattacks.[7]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative In the West". Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative In the West". Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative In the West". Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  4. ↑ New York Times: The Wars in North Africa
  5. ↑ Ambrose, Stephen (2001). Supreme Commander: The War Years of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Oxford, United States: Roundhouse Publishing Ltd. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-1-57806-206-5.
  6. ↑ "HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative In the West". Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative In the West". Retrieved 10 October 2014.