Battle of Hill 609

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Battle of Hill 609
Part of the Tunisia Campaign of World War II
Tunisia Campaign operations 20 April to 13 May 1943.
Date 27 April - 1 May 1943 Location 36°54′8″N 9°29′40″E Djebel Tahent, Tunisia Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Nazi Germany
Commanders and leaders
Omar Bradley (II Corps) Charles W. Ryder (34th Infantry Division)	Hans-Jürgen von Arnim
Strength
II Corps	Elements from the Afrika Korps
Casualties and losses
2,453	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. The battle proved a formative experience for the American forces and has been called "the American Army's coming-of-age".

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. 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. After heavy fighting and high casualties, the 34th Division managed to take the hill by April 30 and the following day repelled several German counterattacks.

See also

• North African Campaign
• Tunisia Campaign