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The Battle of Bitche was a part of the Vosges Mountains campaign during World War II. The battle took place in the northeastern region of France at the town of Bitche and the surrounding area on the Maginot Line. Wehrmacht troops defended Bitche and the surrounding Maginot Line fortresses from invading American and French forces.

Fort Simershof (Ouvrage Simserhof) and Fort Schiesseck (Ouvrage Schiesseck) were two major fortification that the Wehrmacht defended from the invading Seventh United States Army commanded by (Major General Haislip) check this. The 100th Infantry Division (United States) of the XV Corps (United States) was tasked with capturing Fort Schiesseck along with other minor fortifications and casemates in the surrounding region, while on their flank further west the 44th Infantry Division (United States) would capture Fort Simershof and nearby minor fortifications and casemates in their assigned region.

On December 14, 1944, the 71st and 324th infantry regiments of the 44th infantry division attacked Fort Simserhof and the area to the north at Hottviller respectively. The 398th, 399th and 397th infantry regiments of the 100th infantry division attacked Fort Freundenburg, a wooded area near Reyersville and Camp de Bitche respectively. heavy fighting for fort freundenburg lasted from december 14-17, but finally the 389th regiment captured fort freundenburg.

counterattack: Operation Nordwind

On 14 December 1944, regiments from the 100th Infantry Division began their assault on Fort Schiesseck and other nearby forts on the Maginot line in the area of Bitche, france.

On 14 December 1944, the 71st regiment of the 44th Infantry division began their assault on Fort Simershof and nearby casemates on the Maginot line. The fortress was captured after six days of fighting and its guns destroyed on 20 December.