12. VGD "Battle of the Bulge" Soldbuch

[InfanterieSammler]

This is a very special Soldbuch for a decorated soldier who fought in many of the Wehrmacht’s most famous campaigns and battles. Because of its strong 16 December content, I thought it would of interest to post today on the 72<SUP>nd</SUP> anniversary of “The Battle of the Bulge."<O</O

</O

[InfanterieSammler]

Andreas Huber was born on 29.7.1914 in Hamborn, Germany, approximately 126 Kilometers north of Aachen – a city that he would later fight to defend. Huber spent the entire war fighting with one unit, Artillery Regiment 12 of the 12. Infanterie Division. He fought in Poland in 1939 and France in 1940. He spent several years in action on the dreaded “Russian Front”, most significantly surviving the “Demjansk Pocket” and the destruction of the 12. Infanterie Division during Operation Bagration in 1944.

<O</O

[InfanterieSammler]

First entry is for his Richtabzeichen für “Richtkanonier”(13.3.41)

Next his awards from the Russian Front - Iron Cross 2nd Class, Russian Front Medal, Demjansk Shield, and Iron Cross First Class.

[InfanterieSammler]

After years at war, Huber had seen enough action to last any soldier a lifetime. However, he was not done.

On September 1944, the reconstituted 12. Infanterie Division was ordered to defend the Stolberg corridor east of Aachen. On 13 September, Huber was issued a K-98.
This situation was so serious, the division was committed to battle piecemeal as it detrained. Between 16-23 September the 12<SUP>th</SUP> Infanterie would lose half its combat strength.<O</O

[InfanterieSammler]

On 9 October the 12. Infanterie Division was redesignated the 12. Volksgrenadier Division, now being committed in the northern sector of the battle for the Hürtgen Forest. On 7 November, Huber received the General Assault Badge from a Regimental Order (“Gemäß Regiments Befehl Nr.20”)

<OThe 12. VGD, scheduled to take part in the upcoming Ardennes Offensive, was to be relieved on 16 November, but was still heavily involved in combat and was not able to fully extricate itself until 3 December. By this point the division was described by its commander, Generalmajor Gerhard Engel, as “completely exhausted.” After the war, General Collins (US VII Corps) in his autobiography, said “The-Aachen-Stolberg-Hürtgen campaign (was) the toughest, most costly of VII Corps operations in Europe.”<O</O
</O

[InfanterieSammler]

For the German’s new offensive (codenamed Wacht am Rhein), the Führer designated the area of the 6.Panzerarmee as the focal point of the attack. Only the best divisions were to be used here. Because of its outstanding performance at the Battle of Aachen, the 12.VGD hand been hand-picked by the Hitler to lead the attack to break open the American lines for Kampfgruppe Peiper. The division would also receive one the Skorzeny commando detachments for the offensive.
<O</O
On the morning of 16 December, Peiper was at Generalmajor Engel’s command post when the artillery launched its opening barrage at 05.00. This would have been the batteries of Artillery Regiment 12 – Huber’s unit. By mid-afternoon the infantry was behind schedule and the horse-drawn artillery of the Art.Rgt. 12 was brought up to help. Unfortunately for Peiper, this only added to congestion on the roads and Peiper was forced to direct traffic himself. One wonders if Huber caught a dirty look from Peiper when he passed by that afternoon.

[InfanterieSammler]

In the following days, units of the 12.VGD were also involved in the attack on Rocherath along with the 12.SS Panzer division and at Dom Butgenbach.<O</O

[Lutfen]

Thanks - a nice document to mark the anniversary!

Michael

[ironcross13]

16th.12.1944 the start of the "Battle of the Bulge"

[Simon H]

Thanks for showing, nice Soldbuch from one of the units I have walked in the footsteps of over the years. They had it tough in the Hurtgen forest and as tough in the Butgenbacher Heck in December '44. Great item.

[Floris]

[InfanterieSammler]

I'm glad you guys enjoyed. Simon H, if you have any photos of the 12. VGD battle sites from your trip, please feel free to share in this thread. Best, John

[Brian R]

Wonderful Soldbuch and presentation, John. That book was really "there".

[ironcross13]

Nice for this time of year. Good read.

[starikurac]

Great SB