Episode 580-Battle of Hill 609

The History of WWII Podcast

Ray Harris Jr

Society & Culture, Education, History

4.5 • 4.5K Ratings

🗓️ 7 November 2025

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The 2nd US Corps had its own large assignment, to drive east just under the northern coast. But Hill 609 dominates the area and German guns at its summit are targeting everything in reach, including Gen. Allen’s Big Red One. Alternate title, American Honor Is Restored. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast.
0:14.1	Episode 580, The Battle of Hill 609 or American Honor is restored. Last time, the Allies launched Operation Vulcan,
0:25.5	the battle that would hopefully end the Axis presence in North Africa. As we saw, the British
0:31.6	9th Corps was able to make some headway, as was the French 19th Corps below them. Then in the area of Fifth Corps,
0:39.6	the Battle of Longstup Hill was launched. It took five days, but the road further east to
0:45.7	Teboa was now open again. A good start. The left flank of the Fifth Corps had done its job.
0:53.0	Now it was the turn of the Fifth Corps' right flank made up of the 5th Corps had done its job. Now it was the turn of the 5th Corps's right flank
0:55.9	made up of the inexperienced first and fourth British infantry divisions to get stuck in.
1:03.0	Factoring in the division's lack of experience, it was decided to stagger the launching of
1:08.3	their individual attacks. Perhaps this would catch the enemy unawares.
1:13.5	The first division moved out on April 23rd, the fourth division on the 24th, respectively.
1:20.6	Due east of the Longstab Hill, hence the fifth course right flank, was the ridge of Jabel-Bow--Auls. This, the first division headed for,
1:30.3	but had to fight for days to get to the base and then reached the summit, only on the 27th.
1:37.0	But the Germans counterattacked intensely, driving the British back down the hill.
1:42.7	Attacking just south of the first division, the Fourth Division was trying to cover
1:47.6	the First's right flank, but they didn't get very far, as von Armin was already having reserves
1:54.1	moved to counter the First British Division, so had others to collide with the Fourth Division.
2:00.1	These were both, locally speaking,
2:02.7	German victories. But in his effort to stop General Crocker earlier and now, General Alphre's
2:08.9	5th Corps, von Armin, was using up his reserves and his best field commander, Colonel Erkins,
2:16.1	was now committed. Meanwhile, the Americans, under General
2:21.0	Omar Bradley, were themselves getting a taste of German preparedness and determination. The second
	...

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