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The First Battle for Kesternich: Hürtgen Forest―The Ardennes―Roer/Urft Dams, December 1944
“Here’s a tactical battle done right and done well.” – Historical Miniatures Gaming Society
In mid-December 1944, as the U.S. Army jumped-off towards the Roer-Urft dams—gateway to Germany—parts of three divisions moved to the attack. Most accounts focus on the 2nd and 99th Divisions’ push towards Wahlerscheid, neglecting the critical battle fought by the 78th Infantry Division for the village of Kesternich; key to the Monschau Corridor, which itself was the key to the Roer Dams. As the Americans advanced, they collided with 272 and 326 Volksgrenadier Divisions, which were racing to stabilize the North Shoulder of what would soon erupt as the Ardennes Offensive. Contrary to conventional accounts, the fight for Kesternich was no isolated skirmish but part of a broader clash that threatened to unravel the German winter counteroffensive before it began.
Drawing on both American and German archival sources-including untranslated German Foreign Military Studies and firsthand oral histories-the author re-examines the complexity and strategic implications of this little-known battle. Through a tapestry of combat reports, personal recollections, and previously inaccessible documentation, this book restores Kesternich to its rightful place in the narrative of the European Theater. It reveals not only a forgotten battle but also the evolving nature of mid-war tactics, training, and organization on both sides of the front.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Prelude to Battle
2. Day One—Jump-off
3. The Big Picture—The Western Front in Mid-December
4. Day Two—Advance
5. Order of Battle
6. Day Three—Into Kesternich
7. Day Three—Counterattack
8. Aftermath
Epilogue
In mid-December 1944, as the U.S. Army jumped-off towards the Roer-Urft dams—gateway to Germany—parts of three divisions moved to the attack. Most accounts focus on the 2nd and 99th Divisions’ push towards Wahlerscheid, neglecting the critical battle fought by the 78th Infantry Division for the village of Kesternich; key to the Monschau Corridor, which itself was the key to the Roer Dams. As the Americans advanced, they collided with 272 and 326 Volksgrenadier Divisions, which were racing to stabilize the North Shoulder of what would soon erupt as the Ardennes Offensive. Contrary to conventional accounts, the fight for Kesternich was no isolated skirmish but part of a broader clash that threatened to unravel the German winter counteroffensive before it began.
Drawing on both American and German archival sources-including untranslated German Foreign Military Studies and firsthand oral histories-the author re-examines the complexity and strategic implications of this little-known battle. Through a tapestry of combat reports, personal recollections, and previously inaccessible documentation, this book restores Kesternich to its rightful place in the narrative of the European Theater. It reveals not only a forgotten battle but also the evolving nature of mid-war tactics, training, and organization on both sides of the front.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Prelude to Battle
2. Day One—Jump-off
3. The Big Picture—The Western Front in Mid-December
4. Day Two—Advance
5. Order of Battle
6. Day Three—Into Kesternich
7. Day Three—Counterattack
8. Aftermath
Epilogue
352 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2026
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May 10, 2026
I really enjoyed the book, it covered an area of the war that is many times overlooked. It is also a book that covers the division (78th) my dad was in before being sent overseas as a replacement to the 45th ID in January 1944. Who knows what would have happened if he had stayed the 78th. There is plenty of detail and many first person accounts from both sides. One fault is the maps while they are good overall, it would have been nice to have more detailed if possible such as just Easy Companies defensive position or any of the other companies. Do not get me wrong Mr. McKnight has produced a very good book and name me a reader of military history that does not want more maps. I am now reading "The Last Hill" about the 2nd Rangers on Hill 400, which is talked about in the book and I believe it would a good companion book.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review