Special Exhibit: The Battle of Hurtgen Forest & The Battle of the Bulge

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting a special exhibit in the month of January. The focus of the exhibit will be on the Battle of Hürtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge from the 4th Infantry Division perspective.  This exhibit will open Tuesday, January 2 and be on display until Saturday, January 27.  The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and there is no charge for admission.

The longest continuous battle ever fought by American forces lasted from September 19 to December 16, 1944 over control of the Hürtgen Forest, essential to the German plans for their upcoming Ardennes Offensive (which would be known to the Allies as the “Battle of the Bulge”). This small patch of land, 54 square miles located three miles east of the Germany / Belgium Border, would end up being extremely costly to the Allies despite a five to one advantage. This battle was somewhat forgotten because of the more famous Battle of the Bulge but it was a bloody and memorable experience for those that fought there.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum will present these two campaigns from the perspective of the 4th Infantry Division, also known as the Ivy Division, which received their amphibious training at Camp Gordon Johnston and landed on D Day at Utah Beach. The Museum has received both financial and historical assistance from the National 4th Infantry Division Association and Division Past President and Historian Bob Babcock. Photos and personal memoirs of soldiers who participated in these two battles will be featured.