Bridge at Remagen in World War II

Bridge at Remagen in World War II The capture of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen occurred on March 7-8, 1945, during the closing stages of World War II  (1939-1945). In early 1945, American forces pressed towards the west bank of the Rhine River during Operation Lumberjack. In response, German forces were ordered to destroy the bridges over the river. As the lead elements of the US 9th Armored Division approached Remagen, they found that the Ludendorff Bridge over the river was still standing. In a sharp fight, American forces succeeded in securing the span. The capture of the bridge gave the Allies a foothold on the eastern bank of the river and opened Germany to invasion. Fast Facts: Bridge at Remagen Conflict: World War II  (1939-1945)Dates: March 7-8, 1945Armies Commanders:AlliesLieutenant General Courtney HodgesMajor General John W. LeonardBrigadier General William M. HogeCombat Command B, 9th Armored DivisionGermansGeneral Edwin Graf von Rothkirch und TrachGeneral Otto HitzfeldLXVII Corps A Surprise Find In March 1945, with the bulge caused by the German Ardennes offensive effectively reduced, the US 1st Army launched Operation Lumberjack. Designed to reach the west bank of the Rhine, US troops quickly advanced on the cities of Cologne, Bonn, and Remagen. Unable to halt the Allied offensive, German troops began falling back as the fortifications in the region were penetrated. Though a withdrawal over the Rhine would have been prudent to allow German forces to regroup, Hitler demanded that every foot of territory be contested and that counterattacks be launched to regain what had been lost. This demand led to confusion along the front which was worsened by a series of changes in command an unit areas of responsibility. Aware that the Rhine posed the last major geographic obstacle to Allied troops as fighting moved east, Hitler ordered the bridges over the river destroyed (Map). On the morning of March 7, lead elements of the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, Combat Command B, US 9th Armored Division reached the heights overlooking the town of Remagen. Looking down at the Rhine, they were stunned to find that the Ludendorff Bridge was still standing. Built during World War I, the railroad bridge remained intact with German forces retreating across its span. Initially, officers in the 27th began calling for artillery to drop the bridge and trap German forces on the west bank. Unable to secure artillery support, the 27th continued to observe the bridge. When word of the bridges status reached Brigadier General William Hoge, commanding Combat Command B, he issued orders for the 27th to advance into Remagen with support from the 14th Tank Battalion. Racing to the River As American troops entered into the town, they found little meaningful resistance as German doctrine called for rear areas to be defended by Volkssturm militia. Moving ahead, they found no major obstacles other than a machine gun nest overlooking the town square.  Quickly eliminating this with fire from M26 Pershing tanks, American forces raced forward as they expected the bridge to be blown by the Germans before it could be captured. These thoughts were reinforced when prisoners indicated that it was scheduled to be demolished at 4:00 PM. Already 3:15 PM, the 27th charged ahead to secure the bridge. As elements of Company A, led by Lieutenant Karl Timmermann, moved onto the bridges approaches, the Germans, led by Captain Willi Bratge, blew a 30-foot crater in the roadway with the goal of slowing the American advance. Reacting swiftly, engineers using tank dozers began filling the hole. Possessing around 500 poorly-trained and equipped men and 500  Volkssturm, Bratge had desired to blow the bridge earlier but had been unable to secure permission. With the Americans approaching, the majority of his  Volkssturm melted away leaving his remaining men largely clustered on the east bank of the river. Ludendorff Bridge and Erpeler Ley tunnel at Erpel (eastern side of the Rhine) – First U.S. Army men and equipment pour across the Remagen Bridge; two knocked out jeeps in foreground. Germany, March 11, 1945.   National Archives and Records Administration Storming the Bridge As Timmerman and his men began pressing forward, Bratge attempted to destroy the bridge. A massive explosion rocked the span, lifting it from its foundations. When the smoke settled, the bridge remained standing, though it had suffered some damage. Though many of the charges had detonated, others had not due to the actions of two Polish conscripts who had tampered with the fuses. As Timmermans men charged onto the span, Lieutenant Hugh Mott and Sergeants Eugene Dorland and John Reynolds climbed under the bridge to begin cutting the wires leading to the remaining German demolition charges. Reaching the bridge towers on the west bank, platoons stormed inside overwhelming the defenders. Having taken these vantage points, they provided covering fire for Timmerman and his men as they fought across the span. The first American to reach the east bank was Sergeant Alexander A. Drabik. As more men arrived, they moved to clear the tunnel and cliffs near the bridges eastern approaches. Securing a perimeter, they were reinforced during the evening. Pushing men and tanks across the Rhine, Hoge was able to secure the bridgehead giving the Allies a foothold on the east bank. The Ludendorff Bridge on March 17, 1945, approximately four hours before its collapse. National Archives and Records Administration Aftermath Dubbed the Miracle of Remagen, the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge opened the way for Allied troops to drive into the heart of Germany. Over 8,000 men crossed the bridge in the first twenty-four hours after its capture as engineers frantically worked to repair the span. Infuriated by its capture, Hitler swiftly ordered the trial and execution of the five officers assigned to its defense and destruction. Only Bratge survived as he had been captured by American forces before he could be arrested. Desperate to destroy the bridge, the Germans conducted air raids, V-2 rocket attacks, and frogman assaults against it. In addition, German forces launched a massive counterattack against the bridgehead with no success. As the Germans were attempting to strike the bridge, the 51st and 291st Engineer Battalions built pontoon and treadway bridges adjacent to the span. On March 17th, the bridge suddenly collapsed killing 28 and wounding 93 American engineers. Though it was lost, a substantial bridgehead had been built up which was supported by the pontoon bridges. The capture of the Ludendorff Bridge, along with Operation Varsity later that month, removed the Rhine as an obstacle to the Allied advance.

American History Thesis

American History Thesis American History Thesis American History Thesis: Begin With Christopher Columbus. Do you need help in writing American history thesis? You will get it! American history offers countless ideas for writing American history thesis because of its rich history. Before you start writing an American history thesis the first step you are to undertake is to narrow American history down to a certain period, definite geographic area, politics and the arts. While writing American history thesis, take into account these facts. American History Thesis: From the Very Beginning! The discovery of America is an event, which came to be known a new part of the world - America, consisting of two continents. United States is a multinational country, and a dispute concerning the historical significance is not new. As for the personality of Columbus and his role in American history, I think to spoil his reputation in this case would be difficult. Everything is due to loyalty and great love, which is directed to the Christop her Columbus Italian American. If you want to, you may choose the earlier history in writing American history thesis. American History Thesis: General events.Constitution was adopted in 1787 Civil war in USA- the reason caused war was the lopsided development of the country in the first half of the 19th century Great Depression - a continuous economic crisis that swept in the 1930's all the industrialized countries. The United States entered the world war in December 7, 1941, when the military base at Pearl Harbor had been attacked by Japanese planes. 1964-1975 - Vietnam War. These are the main facts in American history. You are to know them; maybe it may come across on the choice of a particular topic in writing American history thesis. American History Thesis: The development of American cinema in the XX century. If you choose such topic as American cinema in history to describe in thesis, you should point out and open up next facts. Developments that gave the cou rse of the history of American cinema linked with the transferring the cinema capital from New York to a small Californian town of Hollywood. A place with unique nature and a favorable climate seems to be created specially for the moviemaking. The film industry concentrated in the hands of a few capitalists after the Great Depression. They were absolutely not interested in solving creative problems, they saw only profits. Since that time Hollywood became the center of commercial moviemaking. If you are going to tell about the tops of American cinema of the early period in your American history thesis, you should first mention Charlie Chaplin. This talented comic actor has begun his career as actor during the silent film and ended in the period of sound color movie. Almost from the origins, American cinema developed a clear system of genres. Each genre has its own laws, similar plot lines, and its audience, which generates income. Also in Hollywood is developing a musical ge nre rapidly. Separate topic in writing cruel angel thesis may be a popular crime drama genre is associated with the work of F.F. Coppola. His well known The Godfather is doubtless Hollywood classics. A significant impulse in the development of American cinema of the second half of the twentieth century was the appearing of European directors. American History Thesis: Sum Up! American history is so eventful; is a very wide field in choosing different themes for writing American history thesis. Pay attention, that the result will be better if you devoted in definite topic. Good luck in writing your American history thesis!