The hill that controlled the area north of Verlautenheide had a large crucifix at its summit, so naturally it became known as Crucifix Hill. Back on the 8th the Americans had secured the hill and occupied the entrenchments there. When their Piper Cubs were grounded it provided too good of an observation point for the Germans to allow them to keep it for long.

The Wild Buffaloes had been bled white since their arrival in the Aachen sector, and lacked the strength to attack Crucifix Hill on their own. Therefore, the untried 1st Sturmpioneer Regiment was assigned to spearhead the operation. Despite the grand-sounding title, the latter was just a motorized infantry unit lacking heavy weapons (and apparently even motor vehicles). Nevertheless, the Germans took the hill with what an American reporter called "bitter courage," but all the courage in the world could not stop the Big Red One from reoccupying the hill before sundown.