BATTLE OF AACHEN OVERLAYS, OWNED BY GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER

BATTLE OF AACHEN OVERLAYS, OWNED BY GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER
FROM THE ESTATE OF GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER, COMMANDER OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE FIRST WAVE AT OMAHA BEACH Historic set of fourteen overlays, each approx. 24 x 17.75 in., showing the advance of American troops, the retreat of German troops, and the skirmishes between the two groups, before and during the Battle of Aachen. These plans were uniquely owned by Gen. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888-1972), the American general who commanded the 1st Infantry Division during and after the D-Day landings, and whose forces took the city on Oct. 21, 1944 after 19 days of desperate fighting. These plans, while clearly reprints from the originals and likely not battle-used, are marked by date and number at the top-left, showing the variation of the both armies' movements from the following days: Sept. 12, 1944; Sept. 13-14, 1944; Sept. 15, 1944; Sept. 16-21, 1944; Sept. 22-24, 1944; Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 1944; Oct. 3-8, 1944; Oct. 9-10, 1944; Oct. 11-12, 1944; Oct. 13-15, 1944; Oct. 16, 1944; Oct. 17-18, 1944; and Oct. 19-20, 1944. The final overlay shows an incredibly detailed depiction of the city and its surrounding areas, including various landmarks, roadways, railroad tracks, districts, etc., potentially conducted after the division's capture of the city in Oct. 21, 1944. These reprints were created after the original plans were laid end-to-end and then scanned, and various straight black lines have been inked onto these reprints to mark the edges of the originals. Huebner's purpose for reprinting these plans is unknown, perhaps to use as a training tool for subordinate soldiers or merely to add to his expansive military collection. Curled, as is usually the case with such plans. Some marginal tears, some lightly faded, else very good condition overall. Aachen's capture was of immense psychological value, as the city was an important symbol to both the Nazi regime and the German people; not only was it the first German city to be captured by Allied forces in World War II, it was also the historic capital of Charlemagne, founder of the 'First Reich'. Shortly after its capture, the First Division experienced heavy fighting once again in the Huertgen Forest and later returned to counter the German offensive at the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944. In January, 1945, Huebner was named commander of the V Corps, which he commanded in its advance to the Elbe river, where elements of the corps made the first contact with the Soviet Red Army. By war's end, the division had advanced into Czechoslovakia. Following the German surrender, Huebner served as the Chief of Staff for all American forces in Europe, and in 1949 was named the final military governor of the American occupation zone in Germany. This lot originates from a direct linear descendant, and will be accompanied by our letter of provenance.