We took a day trip over to the Hurtgen Forest.  Dad was not involved in this battle.  This battle took place south of Aachen for three months of the winter of 1944.  It had many casualties - on both sides - with American casualties estimated from 33,000 to 55,000.  This battle was brutal, as the forest was dense and it involved close fighting, sometimes hand to hand.  Armor was fairly ineffective, so many infantry to infantry battles occurred. Tree bursts from artillery shells caused many injuries and death.  The fight ended in mostly a stalemate, with the Germans holding off the American offensive.  A great movie that tells part of the story of the Hurtgen Forest is When Trumpets Fade.  This battle is not as famous as the Battle of the Bulge or D-Day.  It should get more recognition, as it was one of the more difficult battles of the war, with many casualties. 

Mark worked with a venture capitalist from New York several years ago, Matt Harris.  Matt's wife did a documentary on the reunion of American and German soldiers that fought against each other in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest - On Common Ground.  I recommend it highly.  It is in my video collection.