• '•jrj •. ,, . . • R. ~

-- ~ ·o<.) ~--!! G ) ;, .1 h!; t t: , .. ~ ., ... ..., ACAlJil;l.; 1 G m::rAHTI!Lif.l' '!7IF; lr.~;.,:TRY SGH •OJJ

Fort l:!f\nni~ . G or~ti.A

'l'H.ll: O.PEEJI.'J.'!VNS UF :L'H.E :t'L'li AfUriOFJJD lJIVI SION .o\T THE LUD.h:NlXlRF BRIDGl!:H:EAJJ, lU}IA(}.EN, tllDRMAUY

; '144\\nc;.: _ :; ?:~ .. R~~ 1 s~u ( HHINELA.ND OAHPAIGN)

Ct-ersona:i. .1!1xperience o:r tile .Lil vl a ion '.!'rRff1c Con tro 1 Officer)

Type of operation described: BRID~EHEAD OPA~TION

Lt. John F. Hyde, I~fantry ADVAJJTCED !.NF!NTEY UFF!CEP.S CLASS !-10 Il

..... _ ..... - ::Ao· ~ ....... __ ., __ . ...,._._..,., ........ ~,. ..... - .... - ............. .,.,!""< .. • ~-....... :::..c... - ............ .

- .

......

T nil•" to •• ~ ....... . 41 , ....... ~ .., '~~ , ... , • ,._ • • t f' .. 11 • .. r "

•••<s•••··,~·· .. •t••·····~~··· ......... '1t;u~ 1.11")11 ...... .., ... ,., .. , ................. , ...... .

. .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ' ' . ~ .... . ..... . Loqnouo •••.•.••

• • ' • ' . . . .. ....................... f .. 4 .._ ••••••••• 84

Ma.p 1l Troon11 DtspoP.it1.on Jor.R thn lthJM cn1 ? ~:twcb 194!~

The 9tl Armored Dlvieion Zon ol' Acti n ? ll.erc.h 194:)

-

... ,__ ..

1

r:i(:;~'-"~ .. ~· ~ .. 1! 1 ~ ~t.:J! \.'C?:..: c .. ~ ;~p (:,. ;~ ,; { fl:l·t; ~ l bri1rf} x~,-~1('0" "'

A-:2 ~1,e 1th~.ne Cron:in:g 4_~t,~ ,iu'$ ~l".,)\lp ·.tJ.t;i.flt't:! .,. _:1.-.,.'!"1'J ~ iP~li1 ;o- *-•-~ tt""~· 11.-....,~T>i.\1 P. H. 'rh>ntly {':IS 1.1h.,.~:rv)

._ l<H'C! l 0\..;1 :u~. :>.U I.:J':f .ut J.I;H.I)U.

... , ...... nu~~~ -:t1 - :""r:.-~ ~T.lS i...tl,, .. t-J. rv )

;. _ -n ..... .- --• ........ ~-w.. ... ._ .... ~-.-.-~ t··---"'_ .. __ :<:' .... ~.,.. r~"''""""~ W'l.c:...-c ~ ...... -t g.(' ... • ._ ..: ...,....._ • .J.yo.;..; •• ·w v~ - -... ,.w -~ ....... ~.-..- -\,<o~<t.tlto----• .. ,. -~- _.,._ ,..,_..., ___ --. ... - ...... 1'o __

St.~ . .ff ~~ ~rti:tfi ~!-.:t~: ;. !:: !::~:.r- ~'~]:·1:1 'J.f :!;.;:~ _..1\ll :!~~~l ~,:;.~~.:~ittt1rfr.t F.::rcv 6 J".ll'le to May .!. 9'4'5~ page 91 ( T 1. S 1 i bra l"Y)

.,_G Re~ r t uf Rhine Ri¥~A Cro~sing !;ir~t U. - . 1-.~:t; .... 1· 46~-!. (fhc ~t'+51ll'-':~r '...:"~ktor Library. Fort :S~1. -oir~ Virginic.)

:&-F Fir . t U. s. A.,..m;Y, Report of Operations G3 FebrUQry - · 3M~ 1945 f4Z60 ~~·~ ~t~i:L:r.~a.T ~~nt~r- ~!·""r~~~-, ~c;-t ~:'..-;--c:!.~. Vi~;!~~:i)

~ ·~1? 1).~.... ...... ::=~::, .'lc m"",.,.. ~-,, .... _ ..... A. - ./J ~"""- .... ...:..~ . ...,. ~,..4 ,.;1 ... - Jl..11.,ao .. -1 --- --i,.. j:o~ .... . ... -~, .. - .... - - -:- - -.~- .... --l"' ~.- -- -·--""!.0""* "' ......,. .. ~-~ ...... "' __ .... -{:11h.e Engineer- Center Library, Fort Belvolr, Virginia)

A..;.;Q T>;:.- W r {S! tt Y<:;.;,"r) b3· Sdge ·· Pd::n.ir; ?ages lZo - lSl (TIS Library I

1-- 1 ..-. On-war~ F.rcm ~.~ J3y. J.lajor General H. Rowan Robinson Pages 25 - Z6 (TlS· Library)

~11 A Record o£ The War, Twenty Second Quarter By Philip Grav-es .PEif!,t>'i) Z4 - 30 {~IS ·-.:i"bt'.

A-12 The Fi eld ArtilletY Jour,nal May 1945 Pcriwotcrc in Paragr~phs by Colonel ConT~d . H. tan~a :?~as Z69 .. 270 :• ( 'l'I~ J.Jibrary)

.A-l3 'rili1e a~ati.,ne •. 19'' March 1945 The "Bridge , · ·; . PaeliJ ~5 (TIs Lfbr~rY)

-:"1' .;~

'""'-~~ .......... v ·-~ '•'~t:14~~·i1h~t'M~ail.~ e'. ---,t'~~ti" "'S'Zttl''•'· ..... --~ .......... ..., ... ,_ .... ..,w." ;,-' 4'

Ten Mtnutes to Make Good l?~~s ">5 - 2? (T~S Library)

}.~15

_!,,

-·

. '-'l"UI< < H,

~'q - ~<\{) - :."\ 1 ( , 1 l. I" "toT•• !"',,. ~

~<,.1,'( h•t Nnw Ynpk 1l1!mr.!1, J() H;uch JiJt'; Pag··~ 1 - ;; ~ t~ ( ·nx l:i ld bt'o:t·Y")

- - -- -· - - -

'II!"' ' .. -- i+ .. " . j N'ffiODUCT IOJ!

IJI ~ • C' ~ ,!;:"''t'r,T cr. ,~;..-.: "·il!< • t

9 ~ ~ . '

r ·l' " ,.,. . ·~ ~~ . " !I .... !"("~-1.,4

"- - "f.:i' " # .. w .. ..... .......,..~ .. t - ...... _... ... •••'-'

in

locl!tad on the Gorrrum, S\;iss F1•o nt · r 1 for a. roximetel· 100

(rmning o. ·"' nrt di t n~e e et vf the German. ~'rench .tront1er)

and fine.lly 1 t ' empt1e~ into the l'Yorth Sea. (1 ) Se~ Mpp .A

Along tt,e :?20 mU no-r-thward cour~e of the Rhh'" t.~$"

nor~A.l width; of the river varies from 700 feet to abOut 1200

~eet and in aome pl ce~ 1t is as ~ide s 2000 feet. (2j At .. no place along the northward cour~e c~~ it be for~ed at any

time ,. even in the low water seaeon. It t->'i;Hh. its s~iit

current arid it high . st~ep bank~ make it asy to defend, but

extremely diff'icul t to eross against resit- anc~ . (3)

. In th.e1 Pfl~t the Rhine River has helped ~;, di'!e¢~ ~tie '

Milit~ri Engineer& have worked cc

n 1 1~ N oleon mt d n cro 91n~ 1 n hi

94; + .. , \1- ....... ~ :r :.. ....

1-h · , c..oree~ O.:l he off~n i-ve. Tbe;r 'Aere sd:v ... "'ir.g very rnpidly

• . 1 ~ :.ttto S.~:1,~ ~ tt.s seat tered onpod tion.

' ~"be e:::temy- did not appear to "oe co.mmH ting any new d1 vi 'Sions

;;E~!.. I~l t::.~ :;rl'!i!l.-t , '> ~1 ;.,.!;'. ~ :r.d: c?.t ~ '":~ t~~t ~"' 'nt.~rrde~ n w-ithrtr~H"

' ~o t~ t~i~~ gro~d on the east of the river. It ~~ expected he

.Y.:oul" destroy all bridges in his wake and. take full advantage of I

th-e :~ayural 'ba.rrter "'hich the >. Rhine offered. It wai9 further

T"~e Gerw.ns had been falling ba.ck ., rapidly and re~reatj.ng I

acroa-s: the Rh'ine, taking with them all they could barry. H0 w.ever,

the

abar.hon lerg~ amounts of supplies and I I .·.. . -f { '

{!'he e.ne.nzy wtts making an all-out

vehicles. (5)

attempt to withdraw all i

! "~J<, .... :-;

-o--f h.i~~ troops to ut1l1£e in vhe ci.eftan~:~iw ~·orkt;l uri tht' ~a.steru I .

banl!l . 1 ~,he M.gh. staep .banks on the eastern 1)Jid~ afforded

..... ,·

t .• Ut

' fl'i ~N'lt>~t..~:,;. ~- p\t·:~.;tJ.ftop •\ci..•.Pt tJ, .. i~f'li. :i•· .. n(.t'liY.'·J.'4~"'' 'fr: !'::{ ....

' s-~ ~-'i~\ ';(~ ~ tt•. '"~

y

A ·ln.rgo umber of l!ruall naval ~rn ft Md n va, Rt wnount of

br1dg1 ~& ' qu1pment and 'inf, teri 1 hfid 'be :g brought into the.

river, l riav,ing the Allii::l_d Forces :free to work , on bridging

operatio!l1! 'Without danger- of' a. noa~i'ble . nttack f om either

fl..ank or t}le rear.

(8) (Se~ ~~p B) .

Tbs 9th Armored Dfvtsiou, tnen_ aaaigned1

to the III Cor:pe

was employed on this mi s.sion covering the center of the II I

Col:P~ 'a'l'er.l~=--·-The .. '1 ar Inf~ntr'y"Di vi si;;~;;d the 9th-·l;·i~;try

]).ivi11ion were on the left flank . and the 78th Infantry Division

.was on th,e 1right fle.nk. (-See Map C,) ,. ~ I . .

Th.e l!st Infantry l)hidon was adv;aueing'.on the city .of . '. ~ . ·.

a.nd_ ~ur~. whil~ the 78th Divigion wa& a.Jvanci~ on Arh~eil r.

(S3e Map !C))

(7} I

(e, -i-6, A-3, . .-16 ·; P· l ,, I J

I ;~

~ ~ I • •.- a,.,..., hl. ,.\. " .

t

l' Ri e-r in t..h vicinity of Sintig, Germany,

-""'- ... -- .. ~--~~.:...·'"'-·-· ~·, -- _,_, ..... u

e~l~~ a~var.ci~ on its objectiveR against light resistunee.

IJ_e.~ ?!'~~ "''!lrq ere taken. It ... a.s the division nolicy to ! C<

1nterroga e ' a.nd roces·~ nrisoners of wa.r at Combat Command.

Lerel. Interrogation of a prisoner at Combat ·Corw11an.d :B 1 a

~ri·oner f wa enclosure revealed at 1515 hours on? March

Briga~ier General Jfilliam Ro1~a, the Commanding General of I

I

Combat Command~. immediately upon receiving this information

o_:rdered Lt. Colonel Leonard Enga.man, commanditJ6 the 14th Tank

or~dge and the eastern approach to the bridge. In addition

. ~, .. , .... ____ ...

thi~ S:reai wa.s cov'e~ed wtth machine gun and t~ cannon f:l.r.e. (u)

~emolitiob wires, fu ~sand e~lo~iveA ~era to be neutralized

The Engineer e

(9~ J.O. lhii.Jt-5, l'· 1..

I j

l 7 f'

I

r

t

t ----

, . n ~h i<L '~ t•tn1J.i 1tdl1 tt;

th . btldg

ed lllBn$ d-e.uo 1i t ion chafgas pia cod >on f;

"! ::l'p1)rt. nt. !'1hn~ct \U' . . ·-·:.::

f.

on ~he f'~r jMbre itt, .an at-temp · "tQ concea.t _the operation a on 1;he.

"t:d..d,ge . hu;.• ~r. a -etrong \':ind educed its effectiveness • . ( 12) '· ..• -"" t.. . ' . ~- ,. ..

i!.Ue me)l}llell" O:f the_. 27th. Armor~p. JnfJ:ln t;oy 'llatte.pcr: VUt~bed

~ut ,.;o eJt't-elnd: "th.~ b~idge:.hell.d ~td t>ilgo.\ge· ti-.e en~roy troopt~- \>hich

i'h;e ~neers rene.ired on the )>:-i(igt'J to complete the cJJ.tt-iPe;

oi d.emoiit~z:il : .1res'·. an-a. removal of mines, and atarted to repai;

"/. J'

t"hat it eould' be rua.Re serviceable for traffic within "'a few hOlirs'. ~ 'f

Th~ apan w~s r· ra.n_;qa.d bridge of steel const-ru.ctio~ ·and al1;hough ,. . . I i .. '"•

the Gerfl]B.ns b.a.d partially decked it -· over, it still required some I•

· a.dd..~tional 'ft Jm}:lers to be placed on its !loor. :By 2400 hours

. i l ' " . .. tc£ •. ;;..! ••. :l~~t,. t} e. ';}~:::~ ... B···llp&Ir~~o .. some Hgnii'- ti-atl:~l~~ and: ny

0400 ho~·a J vrl .tha . . !

. I .,. v9 ·hold 'iT$nka ·and · tank deatro;r~;;-~ . '(13)

I ! ,. 1

(U!) }-5. Jl .. 1: (13) Pe~~e::tal. . :!r::.o\:otl.:;,d_o

,)''

' '~-~-'~

""-:<

'r. . ' ,, '

n.. lbr, ~ ~t' <tf',!notl ·~ '

~t1tt\tu A ~~) tntt~nrw.

~ ;,. ek~ ne:r~s;t h" b1·fd n.1

'' pp~~i rn h ;_l.Y 190-m ~ r ~ .

' '

" -- ~t~h ri ~ thttt t lumel <:~cld ~~ve d.<mied ow• \!rlJatthtg o:f t.hll'_ ia;;fng~;.

'',

~apa lu l)f ho.ndling tbH 'trai'fi.c; no\iever, it soon b.;r.:e.me "Vary

evid&nt t!lnt one-'4-y traffic eireuJ.ation :plat\~ '."'uJ:,d have tc 'b!.l ,. .y; t ' .- ' . . - ~~ ;- -

t'l\0-l.&n,e improve'd ~:llvel .roM which~ it was .felt, ahould be- . imllle­

nh.t~ly m:aa--e: into a: o-ne-W'ay east boi,Uld ro~d; Two-way ·traffic lo•fls

' to btl petmltted on 'ix>th the _nor~h a!ld .aC?_,~~J:l .,hig R:ta. .... ~ ..... ··-:-e~ ,. ;...... -~---~ -.....:: - ' ,..... .. ~

,...~. ,. ,. ..,_, "_.,. ............... .- -1" ~ ,., / .,

bo'~e: ~~tc i:a11. than :pC\lo~~d "-c fvllows: Soutl'l 1:Q ~in~~g e.M ~ . ~

·' ea~ th;rQugh ~ Ne®nahr, Gel sdorf to Stadt 11ecke!\hdzu. ~o ...

I . • ~ • '

·a~ tlr.alf:tlc -~t --r &Ulll5d again wes1; of, Stadt ~ eokerlh&im. {19}

' ' IV thia 'U.taa .a.ll 1'1)ttd.$- in-to Becwgen were rapidly e-ip,g

.- ' . . ' ....

.. ··

' .

-.'

I . ) 1, ~0

<

co:n· o"' .... .s,, t~~ r:twn- acbu.n®n.e~d tho~r vehi~le~. Wh.. rt the · ·r;;amr 0

1•oo.nn :1 and ·

COil16

(21)

; At one po ~nt a · diregt hit- l-Ias aeored c n an ammuni tton

.... ~: l""hl'i1 " 'l:fo' ' · '~22) ... ~- · h~'.t'*;~~ &M .u.:--'f'e~;;-;-1~!~ -"'''>- ., .. ---~., .. ....... .., ... ~h< ..

I ,;_;r ./,'_

~

·wa$ hit on t~ne ~ste~n ;or1~ge apprc.e.oh and woul_d have denied . .

use o£ :the bri~f ft;-r neverar hoUr~ except fol' quick ' action, by_'· ; :. 4

' th'e engineero . in.,pushiDg it _off tij.e road .w~_th a bulldo-zer.

' ' l ., . . . - '

A~ addit:i~nal_ mot9r1zed i~f,.ant;ry be_g~n ar:r1.vi~, a det.rucking_

. .; - L.. .;... ··-" .•.• .;_ .. ;..__....... ,.., ""r..... . ..... ,. ·······.· :~---···"~· , ... -- paint· ·was set ~,t ~t _the- - i~te:.•eecil "' o_n: wliore iohe- th1"Qe :r()ads ' ·

t2o. 21) . :P~~r,o4el Knowledget;f (22) .A;;:S.

J l

J Z<

;j '~'

' tn tit .-1 • r-t~.ff e

" _ ttC,rfJ~· ~ t!!.~ b.~id~e !.&;!?i:t «:Jith ~"'.'!'hi~~. !:~ ~=~e:- ~~ ~.~~= '!..~.:~ ., " ;.

ir.itOrlf.ad,ion com.t!)b.i}dera \i'O\lld h9.V4 to,;-~ bac;k ttppto);;{c:~t~lS, "': ~:;:

,_

ruilon th:ro~ tll.11! &l"tilhrry illlJ)act ~~a on foot. ·lo~t colll1l1And rr;

chanfl to r nmtn en th ~~~tern o~nk: nnti -- t.he-i£- try,-.pc had to .., (il_

·-

,~'1u 'fid " l t' fi• t lleir de~i~n t d Tt;'"nc~rv-u. t r- C'T:IF ~ t~--~7 %;~ .c-e .

To El-X}!edite tho, trdop movement mis5ton,_ Gener~l Koge asdgne-9. - hl~ ' /-;;

'" ' ,•

. )llx:oauth~ O:ff.ic-<-u.·~ -· Colonel liamil ton. -. . ' "(24)

..., _ __ ... _

of Stn£! of the 9th Armored ·Uivision}, to set up in ~em~geri ,

1'\nd. ta "ltP rvhe t.p.~· ino\"ement of troops ,to tb.~ br1dg~h ad a~ ·(25 ) » * .

f• • l)Jt:viai~n :aea4qu'a::o.•ter .end. Gc10kt., Co~d .!. l!n$-dq~rt~r:; _ . l - .. ,

' .

move~ tp .:Sad N&uenah.r ~here ''th.e ' i < '/

"' ;.> ,,

awatt further de~elope~ents • .... ~ .... --~- . ..... ( .i ¥ l '~~~ .. . ;..... -~--- i:~.!!'~- .. ~~ .• , . .,...,.. ... ~ ... .. '·• "":ori"'"'"' ... ,..... · •Mo.).- -~ .,._- --""' ~ --- '

. •Un 9 . roh a lllS.r~ht\l.:li:.g yard

w•s tl'Vf\ nata / nnd ~h: e.xa.ct f ~ ~

' . ,( ·'t-' > t ~

en'' scort was .flU'fihhe.d. ft>r th ~~ vohlot ' ' .

t'~sffi c ccntfol pcWia()t\n$1. IJ.Ihia aided m"·d;t~~,._1n 1!' ~.n ~t.::.t !t

prohibi.hdt , cllri\-en of ~hagglet · v~.hicbs . fro1Il ~•nvl~ri. g . 1mlc . ;:.y ' . '--~ ' ... ' ,:;- . -:~_;- ~ -.. . _':~' . . ;;-.

up-'·anci aown . the highway_. blocking traf;fi c when thn,Y attempt d ~9·

sectr e tn:ro:rme tion ~s to . tho looe.t1.on of the! r ote;l•n! ~e.t:trHtn. . ·' 9.. • + •;/· ~ r '? __

!l.lbe .Wel:l_ther gexun"'~J.lr .fa:vor$d t}1o opQrh.Hon Hv lt"d 1'. ~n~ A ,. .. /-~--; ' ..... ,

b.~idge~ wcuid be neAaed, as trnffic we~ ! J'ne </.f. "'~ -.ao,~-llt.l""'" ...,,._ ,. I f• .. H "'"' ~~ .,.$..:,;.,_,..,.. • ...._ " '"'""' .............. { .... ., ........... ~\· .. !~.. -·~ ' ~ ;1 '

o!l ,a11· r~&..ds " le~·~ung t!/ ;;~he bri<lgph~ll,d to at~/encrot wh~,- · .- ~/ -~ ' . . . . .;

were line( ~P;:bWltpt)r ·tO: bumper tor fllU.V,Y Ueil , nd thovgh v h.icloa y •••

. · .

were 'f.lO\lr~'litt in on throe roadta, -t}l,~y ha.d to 00 , in J~~~: J.," , ;};' '. -r

on one i-o~o. J leE\dil'lS aol"Qsa the b~id{('fl.- · In a'dclHio~. '~.blel

weT cominglup in cloae column ani en r .

. . 'l.

lllf. n.:t;b r .l O..Nni th~ Ger~ .Lt~'t &'!'f i'iM l '

· ~' b ml: • ' intQ.' What t~rn d 01lt to 'be:'

~vi~i~'l rm~r, ln -_ntt~.unp11~ to kn~ck <H.tt th" "tu:id,ge • . A. f.e~ of r ;.<_ • •I

' vl.vfii r/:. :.. ..,,.,'. ~;1:-::,e. tit ·::' ~ ,., ~h" · 'l:) .. i n_g~, d rl)~in~ ue of itf for-

. i', >41-t~d. .,ht'J , ~(~"· ' Oomptf_n:r C of tb:e :oi'll'i~iQn Enein~.aor .:B~ttAlion. / '! ',;

und r .. tb ~omrnan<f o.t On:ptll_i%} iilh Ft~e, wu.re Abl

_, r ,t,P 1 }:t tn eJ)Jl.bl e t\"a.ffic , to continu.«' 1ts flow ,_wl.'i.h .a minimum . '

·"' ., ~ -·'!-·"t

• rr i_;.,

••• • .... N •• • :.~;,";.,. . :'~!!flll~.~t~.~ .l1t'~J'i:, t~~ .• ~::~.~~ ... !~~ . d~~-., ~~! •.. ~.;~.1:.~!\- ~:.~~.~-~:._ .. ,. ~ · ... "- , - - ·} ·/;. . •" c-~,

nee as~ry ttj drti.W radio et).~ipped 'VehiJnea .from ."the 9th Arlior d '· ~

~i~i~1Qu 1 ~ 89th Ar~r~d Reeonnn11uanqe SqUA~ron, to wo~k· 1a ~-.;_=: ' ~- . . .:_

. . ' ' ;' .· .~: . . -. . . ' h . - 'f

eoqJ~ctton "' tit 'the tru.ffie eontrol'\:i sect~on. The SOli 535 t<adio -~ . ~: ' .,-$.. ' - . J ... • •

ha.~d t~et :which the tl'e.f:fic:.~ control a ction attempted to u.s• for ' .f '. ,.

,, .... ,,w_,. f!.Q,Vj!J} .~~~ .. ~-.~9.~. :~.t~V.!e , ~~!t~~~:.~o ~.t.~-, ~.~e . .:~~~:e r; 'Iii th the mnount

· o~ lt~i:feren:e ~used by-· ;Xtr~ J.y '14-rgE.< nu;:tb~J · ehiC.'tea t ~- ~

j I " r '"" r

• 'f'· ,. !.' .

--.:

?e becsa~ a;;"J.te in ~ .. orid.Gol:i-sad area.

:r- tt..e ~1~ ~!!.~t :..-!' ~u~ operation engineering. ;·

,::;.nd hJ"i~~~ t;at~:rict!l .. _. r ~t(,·.-· i, ,.

ilitar,r Police 1-!otbrl.seti. ?'etrol a ~guld- s·creen the r ·, ~ ..-" ) ,.,... - ~ _.

;;. fr.:r ve!ncXes ~l'Z>Y'ing tbe eng.ii:aer ~qui~me;ft .;o•; )<

i.he col~ ~ii brought the t%1gi,nee'r equ,ipmer.t to <' trhe . a.rt£e n.e<>:!e~ • ..

~lllE" ·pX~iorh~ ~!> ~ioa'i',e~d fro~ t. ·~e to time., ~hi:fting from engi-

- . e-cr ~Ate!en.. ~

:;;:.·

An. · ar~ bridge unit arrived. i"D. Remagen on 8 March ;to ste.rt - - • ' .S;

r ... i$U:~ ru.etilon~ on the. ·add:i ti~nai ~~bridge whiCh had bee-~ r-ask.ed :for. ·

1- "/! ' - ·"".,. : - t v ·- • ;.· ,., ;/. )' II, • ·;~

A. bri~ "sit;S was !-e.lecte.C. $:J.>J)rox~tely 5.00 _yard-s ni~~~..;,e.!...~ .. :. ~ ....... ·'1'r - ~( oR. • ,.~ ... ;. ... __ .;.,.- .,._ ...... -_.......... .... ~· ~"' ,..,., ... _.,. • . _J ~- . . . _.··'

·- - . ;· ... ~.. ,.,.... ... ~...,~- ~- - .;; .... ,;JA_ .. ,.o .. _........,.. __ ..... ~'i'T'

· -~1iA~ ... .!"1i.u.r~., "tr-i.~e , ml~ . ..,~rk was atart.ad. in tte . face of_ s~rong · i 1~ ~ ~ :,.: ;;

~· ~. tit: - ,, ' r )';-: ;.., ..

2?, ·:·$/f . .Pe;.~ne.l- ~;::.;:1~~-.· ,· ~ . . "' ;:;

. .,._

;_

1 ~<+":tt~-~c.,

Section 'fo_r -1{) ta:~:Ph 194 1 b .. '-::;.. ::.!

d\l.e

" 1 ....,_'"' • -~"' ~· ·~ .. .. ' ' .,_. ' ' ""··-"'' ·" ..... ""li'· ........ '"'~on r1 ... ,. · u.- c)'......,_...., ~"'CJ b~:~fl;.tL~ Y't'f;:.t ,......"U"'~~ .. , -"""1o.f&.•..., N ~ \1:'* - . · ~ "•,

Great cd-a.l of s-i~ b1,1rst n:rtill!>f'tf 11h~ -t1r. utdr.e H;m) . ,"'! '

App'· ·re~ to .' oe _direct fir-e 'With clout in u'b !.~rvt,.ii.ou .

Cue ~ompre.ssor ~nd t,wo ~ cre.n' ~ knockod. out; ;m flofditl

col'tlpl.;<tely ~t~s~m'j;!lea.. with trMd Att~.ch~d. 10 re il~t.

'!1.b.1clt roqu:tred that they be romo-vod _hum ~hu -wr t; .:r. ~- ~ ~ ~~ ~

dhali~embled and -patched. · (l.!Jhh m Zlntr tht-;~.t 3l.~ .f ct ~::--

a. deJ.ay in the prograM- o£ the 'b:t'i~e o:f ~bou,t ti hou.ra) .

--~ 115"6305:1 oi~6~:ten0~1Y'~~~-£:riery coit1:hu~ $"" .in,t~rd i_c 't~ ( -.~

0 .

·-;; i~ railway bridge with obcerve~ ttrt1lleey :t'1re ttp__pro»-

_ 1mat~ly one ·rmlid every '30<.8econd~ on WfJRt abu:t;lll\\llt -:_... - ' - . ,. ~ -

I . , .

· laree n\lJll'ber of ~cp.s'.mlties.

;;.1~~295-WoJ:'k' uto;ped by ene1117 otsa.~v~d a~til1er:y ... - ... ;;,·. ,. ' . - f :~ ' - . ~ r •

f1:re. ,,( l!a.ilway- bi'i~~ and \oleet t,,_. r conci e .t->111 llt :. ~- - --:'- ,;.> ,,

~li ~;P-?~~~, oo tch:i~ h: l 'l, On-e

•Z-r • • .,

-1:~ )

- "' ~>No-·o.<·J.- ... , ....

'·

b31 th{C .AI t 1 ll r

r~va:l ~ b -:n-,4.-~t~!.~tt~ _;:~"lot "' -;.

.';> -.

i.erl&l

101600-Po_ntoon "bridge start d. , . '

····~

lOl'i'lO- Tteadwuy bridge :rencbed .faa: shore. Total ......... -~.,,-... ,..... .............. ., . ..........,.... .......... ~ ........... .,._ ............. ,.. ....... ~-... ,..~ ...... ...,. ..... - .... ..__ .- ,...... ..

'S air comp:rea~ors.

a~ -pontoon b~idge site. Continuous 1melling of fest

bridge app.roabh." (31) ' . The next p-r~ble~ ~hlch~ ~r~ ~e;-· ~:i , i tse; ~ io¢.S effe;,.~rd!._:;'"""~

!

t~.. In

Uttt of' thS. ~ ~bdt_ 96 were de$ h•oy~t\ i.nd ~c1 'D~dly dtlllltl¢Nt (3:,;)

--~' of the & divE> combe-rs went into their di~e onlt to :rneot a

$trhlg.~t ~ntc the rive~. 0:1 bn.r~ly mhRcd ~ho 1Jridfle -b.Y ~ f~l\1

ya:rd.s . ( 3) Se apparently wR.s attempting to;; c:racil into H :r:ftGr

;.. w ·~

!~ ~;;:_~.;.._ ~ta.~1~al~~ ~yir-tt ~t~£.L6 - :'rut..:;c~t..Lre --£VJ/ .et}l

ope:1 fire on all low fly~~g ai1•craft in the nren~ The;• eroplo;ted

This was effective even ' tho"Ugh a ve:ry larg~ M~:oun~ of runmuniho.n ·a

"'as we!3t~d..'t "Y'=r:Y few s}rc·raft \'l~re .. e. ole t~ ccmplct·~ ~ "oc;':nbit.g j> - ... __ - ;,;

1'he main drawback to thi's type of firi~

\,•a. s that -a number of o·u:r o\1/ll . tl'oop-a weT>e hit by wilcl shot~ ::~t.'o-.: .... : ·"t- ~ .. ·-. J~ ;~ ...... ~/ ,.

___ .... ,~....,f··r f.O- • ,.. ,;..:~~'"

e:itd falling' anti.-aircr8-fct flak.

' The e:n.;!ll."' ~no employed V-2 :rOckets in ,f'n ttompt ~o

kn9ck o-ut t~~ - ·o_l:'iclgE!. ~i;lh 'Was th~ -drat till\e- _the ?cruH,,~-e ,.,._

tad u~d- th~ ., 'lf-2 _ R_ock:et ~om'ba ngatnct a tacti~l pin -point. f ·•. ! ' . . ,.

t rgo~. (3J!) , ~Icy' l$n¢ed in the Vicinity- of' tlle bridgo "but I •' '" • -"';4 ,,.. • .,. ~ , ..... • ; ... •

for~t.tnO-tell~~ne htt " tli~1r · objeoti~e. ,·--~:· .ft-'\"_-~ ,:'"''.' .

I .

l-l,-1 J11 (~3)-.P~;Jn!>M.l irtt.1'lbd~: '' : ?2 • ..) .;,..r: P• 2:,5

/

I.

~W l!Ul!8;tlt Ull · rel'!l l!'L on ,,til~ g~f qo t<lhe~.'l~ t h. f WI ro ~tpO ttatt by

· t_hu ob:.Od&c~.U.a'Jr• post • n.d takun Wid r fire. Of th · -nov n awilnm l"s

,. ltn¢wn~ t·; l:itive e.ttenrptG.d thh ·ta.ulc ,n.v.ne 'wer&·· suoce'$at\ll in- th . ~--. ~ . . r.- . . ;...;

a.ccompUslin!en~ of thei:r lilhdon and w0re ith r killed or ............. ~ .. -"_.... __ "'.tj;_-.;. .... ~-.... -"" . . ....... .., ... . ··~ , ..... 1 •• ~-~ .... ~._ ... ~~-~~ ."• •• ~ • ..,. •• ..., , ~ ............. ~<o .. ...,....,.~ .... - ""'~.-................ · ·-~~~-··-~-... ~ .... . ~14::"' .• '-~ - .. -~~" ....... ... ,._ ...... _.:i ...... .

capt?-:r6d. e.x,otyp1f· one "'1,lo 1-1 ll abl.e to m~ke M etl'pa~e. (38)

A.J.J. G0r;-::e,n d.vilians were evacl.'nted from the arel\ of r .•

operatbn 1£.o:; .ft;rthet-; :::ee~it;r me~aurts • • ~ . '•.A

ple.ce~ - in o-pe'tB.t 4 on &!ld all · ;?,_ -:

~ .. --;;.~1 ~( ,. •. ,.: .. , ·?:..'

M>rO t)· "th • rh.,r .i.n order to pre'V'ent. any adQ.i tional.<d!!"''"•ge 10 ,:;, •"'(: .

--~ ....

,. ) I d ; hiele raffic v ~ diverted to

~ b ing e~i:ui d. and eXploi tad by , r-

r CCt \dth th., Allittd

n nd at ri ' across the I!hine · ...

i'i h en.em.: CQ nvoys were aaid -

1~: lights. {41;)

arg increa;e: in. the twoun t of OJl&my armor 'll.•e.s M ticed..

·-

~uti \. t• 11'\.t W l1>\ hn I i~J.l•lill;Y-,.,.

ti!U (H'I.ttt ,,r (

.i '( t,( t~.i:; tou •l \( 1•1 1:;,

t;li.:h' t hi t ' P p ~ (<t I

Of t rSi!1...andou's 'W:l hiB. i'hay hutl bo.lll bell _l"f~ll ~tw, rl t

hieh-"'ars- ~n(i Ye!';y' . e-ffq~tj'! '/'4'11_1 ~~ j tl~O. !i~, th t

the b, ,ttl~ field.

The uerma.na h d aut:f1c1oDt ;ncttcal ·cuurvo to d t'und t h 1-

position; however* they conc€!nlirat d fa:rth r to t.ho north tr> -~

his ha'bili ty to get au.f!ieient foroo·· to tho ·polnto h~l'e thO¥

w~re ~·gently neeaed.

After ~:l.!'.g ~ st\ldy of thi,e opE'~~t!;Q.n t h ·till! o.~ :tu~a~;'

t);ul.t 01l;r J.aok Of read¥ tneti~al reeerve ' 'Wt:U~ one of i;}'JR ~at.;:

est d!l'a\'l'backs to . the operation. Al.t.ho~ the cept'Urft of th~

L~nliorf inteot was !llo;r.te than \<:e had. hop~d fo~.. the !~ct 1 ;, ~ ;~ . .

&tilll~ rEtmail;l.e thltt the bridge ~ar1 kuown to be a~n .... n and t . • · .

I . r.:· -_\·. . '~.h· I • ~ •'t if:"j)' :~.;·. _.,

1rL ·U.fbl- Qond.it:l.on tb.e d~ ~:tol."t tts ~t>. V\tt'e. · '·lhll ·1li- · -.

::; • J l I • '_.~- i': ~;:v,'. ~ ~· •

. / (11,~) t Ji.-.:5 • . P• lL\4 ,.

~tfl i! <'lh;.

~- :' 1.!.1 ':.

r ~10 t. . "'" ....

' i ro:t t\f"t\ -£ +; tl'. ~l tM.• t 0 the t' r.n. ior.

tn· :fi t'"'()'\; ~ ) 1:;_,.

~~ ir. llll(ilr 0!' ~r.: ! ~1' I'

ho fa~t that our reinfQrcement

d 'f ici OJI co•.l.l.(l POt - be hop~d. 'for.

ft'[has -~a:···;atimc.ted- ~:1-t-... t~ ... cap t ur ·;.,;_

• ...... #" -.<:...' .. . , _ _..,.,_,..._.i·;,;o;- ..;_~ . .... ..-- c. ... .;,,._,

· ~ j;rl~J · ~'lrt: ne~ the ~r tt: .-ur~p~ and. rsd..u"'·ea I

f

toll. I ~ v· at sa~ing in materiel and · equipment ~a~ reali z d a,r

;

\enrn l"t; that the r .. v.dMlt\Or:t' 1\r d/{£1

-il.d ad ~naee." a.r:rr(HH' the bri_~() no

In th early at ges of tho operation n~ny

r-e;q:.lt~· ri_,_ . tli:s '1:4':':1;-k v!la ~own water bo:rne a ttftCk we-t trokon ~Jp,

sc~ething to _protect tne~selves.

use •.· o;':· ~di"Wil an;d __ 1~aV7 COl".P.S art Ubq:·: to aid ti;le

:.=~-t. ir..,g the · bat+: -~ field. -J?!'OVAd to be a. valUable ........ With \h ir ~biU.tiGt> of tlldr wet!l.pons •.

.!"N - ":,..·... ~·~ -,, ••· •t·-·· -~ <1

·-

n 1.~ t<ttJ ' IJ:ii<ftt 1.oH ~·116, t ,Q' tJAY.tl t.IP !ll1J)_"\it;N· }•!(''-' l.:t'1f'( " \l~ •ti 'hr1Jf' \

f h

·.a ' - t ,,

• A UrJA <1(':1fnt~nlln. Lf~

it & w ~L1 () ttb l ttJb;. J.hl r.U tfi•;<~ rig :t.

nu ,f!ID; · tl6d. H1 · ~tW it:;~~nt n.urnb<Ja q i

~. (Lib eff ot· of ?be r11e:d. ntlmy r1rt.lll 1·y on -11.11 t t !Ck 1:

wa. ~ vor;r ?_6~(!n~l.Y ~l>~d · 11 t lltJJill'it~tu · wlu n tb.(l! t ttersJ;Y l t d t}~"t ~d v11

4~ ·,~ t.fo ~ne-u..r4 cO!fioiont .c0o-pu~at1.on. ,CoJIU!I~:tHUD.J ,Otftc r&

'" ,,'sho\lld -ea o:r'iented Ill/ to tb•' x:iflting Jlit'tmt:lon whoti: poodl>:i

beiore boing sent into a bridgehead rea.

o .. , :"irbe.ri n di tjhc:t~-d. l'.1VUr._ li:ne hi: n ;tie n bre_ ohell. $'dd1ti-Qnp.l 1' ~· -

o:rigi .r.Ll 'bri'" · ·~ 'littf, ' when J'>Oildble • • :<' ~-

tl • . , ,~he- Me(\ !6'/ tr~inetl -~f£ident tt-U££.1~ ocu!ltr-ol Of'eb-nne ,··Y ' ,'

Readq\2-th:~~rs wet1~ ~e.nt · to liemafie~ to - - . ·-•·>; < ~ ' ••

,{ ~~..._, . · .. 'AHhou,¢h f~~- -~ it~dJ.vt4~ - ia w.,sf~~ $1ncei- 4nd

. l ,, .

ov.t t l!lk~ · \lf>:l.a~•d th . , their l ok Qf' i!:3.1lfl hr.~ .

~::a. .-

l t 'I

' .

............ ~ ..... .................. _ If r' ·-~~ ..... --

v

_;._~Or-b e~

~~ ... ;.n" '!1" shG>i.:l<i. -~e . .,~vsicalb: ,-J·;.~·.

' ' ;.,..rP 1-·t o~ . rui:iien~

~~/- plac-e. ..... ~~ ......... .. .........

T' ..~--·-

'r /•

.+,

.. _-; .. '

• • ·-- f(•

opt>~ It fon wtlctl W9 l.t , 1!})1'~ 11Bbfl 1 t<h ,.

'/(' - ;

~l"~d JJ1 1ft to)' ~l.ud.fi6 tb.e p )t•iod wh~ l tb.., hddt';~

-~ ,.rl:><u :nke:- Jt> !t.el:lr tho st.c ey' v 1' 'l:h• Crout ti~ ot · the lih uw

-v the l'I)Ugh &lli rel'ld.y aol~iat<R, of the f»Jil~u A:rmor 4 NiMf • ! •• • ,-.:_~·

s ~t.s l,&d~ first se.\> the basttons of the griJn and broo4.1ng hUn

All tb~ az-mie · vere regro\ll)in,g · tuld the war \-1nn !lll but won.

--E\1~ ,the ~il9-ly r~i~ \1ei4""mac;:ht turned it~ tig~_<;: o11 ' B;:;.,f."t:V"'

n-;/ the cleated boot fell hardest whei'e old lUNl!l stood a..lJ alone.

Foi i;he 1!-sdd€:ned ~mot-! told mutely of th~i"' :prea~nce on the line i •J-

In. "-;o tmef.y di(fera'nt ' places that they called the itP.tw.ttto~ N1.ne 11 ,

l 'l'hey thr;ew all their hoard~d pOl<J&r at each ·li.ll'.h tl;.- holo l"i"Jd.b11l;t

And_ cut the lUnth to ribbons. _but they coUldn 1 t d~ive- them ou.t. ,._..,. -._._ ..., -~ ;::~ ...... ,.+-• ~f.:~·~·~ .~r ">' ~''f' ~-~· "<of.t~~ .... ,., .. '·'"''-"' .... ,~If-,., -;.~,11·11--""'J',' '"">y«'"' """"'.._ !,._"':·•' ·';:~Jo'-/ •~;~'-"1¥'"""'~ ... 11'>,' ,·,,.,,.,_.. ,.''~'1H<t~"l<''~"l" t'-""'i!_........~ .....

· When "OI·d Blood and · ~ts" came North'itlard to engage .the Run.sterlt i'lank,r:; ,,

-· And; reli'eve ·tne Armored. ~oldieril with'' their bra1te bu.t thinni~g roanktq

~- .... .·;.·

t9 end t~1eir 111ission, an<"i. tne. static .Als.aoe" Plain

Was the 1$eune for their refitting to rejoin the £ight again-.

..

t .-

blob;

We t c1d ltllfE r1 ~.1'1 dliM nr.d. its Jl l c 1n fnm n k• s

!'hen lli e 1 urel r,es tiug lightl~ ~on the t:roops that c:re..-:k.;-u. ~he lttL1ln7.

tou ,cam tsll i;be o arwo1·ed. c;J. ,lieJ:· b~ ~119 look that • M :li! t1l h ay.;i

' · 11 :t know Yi.i.J. be tno

,{. 1-1 '

· ' I"J)oVC.~ · · .,; ~- ~ c•J,··.

:' ._i •JJ{ ~)

i . . . .~ ... ~