Slave to the Game

Online Gaming Community

 

 

 

ALL WORLD WARS

 

 

 

THE REMAGEN BRIDGEHEAD, MARCH 7-17, 1945

 

 

Remagen Bridgehead. Photographed March 27, 1948 for the Historical Division SS USA by the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron under the supervision of Major J.C.Hatlem

PREPARED BY RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION
The Armored School

PREFACE

The purpose of this study is to collect all available facts pertinent to the Remagen Bridgehead Operation, to col­late these data in cases of conflicting reports, and to present the processed material in such a form that it may be effi­ciently utilized by an instructor in preparing a period of instruction. The data on which this study is based was obtained from interviews with personnel who took part in the operation and from after action reports listed in the bibliography. This is an Armored School publication and is not the official Department of the Army history of the Remagen Operation. It must be remembered that the Remagen Operation is an example of a rapid and successful exploitation of an unexpected fortune of war. As such, the inevitable confusion of facts and the normal fog of war are more prevalent than usual. The absence of specific, detailed prior plans, the frequent changes of command, and the initial lack of an integrated force all make the details of the operation most difficult to evaluate and the motives of some decisions rather obscure. The operation started as a two-battalion action and grew into a four-division operation within a week. Units were initially employed in the bridge­head, as they became available, where they were most needed: a line of action that frequently broke up regiments. In cases of conflicting accounts of the action, the authors of this study have checked each action and each time of action included in the study and have evaluated the various reports in order to arrive at the most probable conclusions.

FOREWORD

The following comments are included in this study of the operation for the benefit of those who will follow and who may be confronted with the responsibility of making immediate, on-the-spot decisions that are far-reaching in their effect and that involve higher echelons of command.

The details of the operation are valuable and should be studied, as many worthwhile lessons can be learned from them. In this study, which should be critical, the student should approach them by "Working himself into the situation;" that is, by getting a clear mental picture of the situation as it existed at the time it took place.

First and foremost, the operation is an outstanding proof that the American princi­ples of warfare, with emphasis on initiative, resourcefulness, aggressiveness, and will­ingness to assume great risks for great results, are sound. The commander must base his willingness to assume those great risks upon his confidence in his troops.

Commanders of every echelon from the squad up who take unnecessary risks that are rash, ill-conceived, and foolhardy should be removed from command.

Hence the need and value of good training.

In this particular operation the entire chain of command from the individual soldier, squad, platoon, and on up through the highest echelon, SHAEF, saw the opportunity and unhesitatingly drove through to its successful execution.

It is impossible to overemphasize this as an illustration of the American tradition and training.
Military history is replete with incidents where wonderful opportunities were not grasped, with resultant failure.

The fact stands out that positive, energetic actions were pursued to get across. The traffic jams, the weather, the road nets, the change in plans, did not deter anyone from the primary job of getting across the Rhine and exploiting this wonderful opportunity.

The results are history.

One other thought. When a reporter asked Sergeant Drabick, the first soldier across the bridge, "Was the seizing of the bridge planned?" "I don't know about that, all I know is that we took it," was his reply.

This sums it up in a nutshell. So much for the operation.

It might be well for future value to surmise what would have happened if the opera­tion had failed. Assume for this purpose that 24 or 36 hours after the initial troops crossed, the bridge had gone down from delayed time bombs or from air bombing or the direct artillery fire, which was extremely accurate the first few days. It actually did collapse on 17 March.

Those troops already across would have been lost.

Would the commanders who made the decisions have been severely criticized?

My purpose in this question is to create discussion. My hope is that your thinking will result in the answer that they would not.

Commanders must have confidence not only in those under their command but also m those under whom they serve.

In this specific case we had this confidence.

JOHN W. LEONARD

Major General, USA
Formerly Commander, 9th Armd Div

INTRODUCTION: SEIZURE OF THE LUDENDORF BRIDGE

Remagen bridge

At 071256 March 1945, a task force of the United States 9th Armored Division broke out of the woods onto the bluffs overlooking the RHINE RIVER at REMAGEN (F645200)[*], and saw the LUDENDORF BRIDGE stand­ing intact over the RHINE. Lieutenant Colonel Leonard E. Engeman, the task force commander, had under his command: one platoon of the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron, the 14th Tank Battalion (Companies B and C), the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, and one platoon of Company B, 9th Armored Engineer Battalion.[1] Beyond the river lay the heartland of Germany, and presumably the organized defenses of the RHINE. Lieutenant Colonel Engeman's original orders were to capture REMAGEN (F645200) and KRIPP (F670180). However, in a meeting between the Commanding Generals, 9th Armored Divi­sion and Combat Command B of that division, it had been decided that if the LUDENDORF BRIDGE at REMAGEN were passable, Com­bat Command B would "grab it." This infor­mation had been sent to Lieutenant Colonel Engeman.[2]

About 062.300 March the III Corps com­mander, Major General Milliken, had remarked to Major General Leonard over the phone, "You see that black line on the map. If you can seize that your name will go down in history," or words to that effect. This referred to the bridge.

The plan of assault as formulated by the column commander and as subsequently exe­cuted was an attack on REMAGEN (F6420) by one company of dismounted infantry and one platoon of tanks followed by the remain­der of the force in route column and supported by assault guns and mortars from the vicinity of (F633204).[3] This plan obviated the neces­sity of moving any vehicles within the column prior to the time of attack. The plan further provided that the assault tank platoon should move out 30 minutes after the infantry, with the two forces joining at the east edge of town and executing a coordinated attack for the capture of the bridge.[3]

[*]For all map references in tis study see Maps. appendix V.
[1]Statement of Lt. Col. Engeman, CO, 14th Tank Battalion.
[2]After Action Report, 14th Tank battalion. march 1945, page 8.
[3]After Action Report, 14thTank Battalion, March 1945, page 12.

As enemy troops and vehicles were still moving east across the bridge at the time (1256), the column com­mander requested time fire on the bridge with the dual purpose of inflicting casualties and of preventing destruction of the structure. This request was refused due to the difficulty of coordinating the infantry and artillery during the assault on the town.[1]

Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battal­ion, moved out at 1350 following the trail which runs from (F629204) to (F635204). At 1420, the 90-mm platoon of Company A, 14th Tank Battalion, left the woods at (F632204) and started down the steep, twisting, tree-lined road that enters REMAGEN at (F639201).[2] The tank platoon arrived at the edge of town before the infantry and, meeting no resistance, continued on into the town. The infantry, upon arriving at the edge of town, was able to see the tanks already moving toward the bridge, so it followed along the main road running southwest through the center of RE­MAGEN.1 The town appeared deserted— the only resistance encountered was a small amount of small-arms fire from within the town2 and sporadic fire from 20-mm flak guns which enfiladed the cross streets from positions along the east bank of the river.[3] The tank platoon reached the west end of the bridge at 15002 followed shortly by the company of in­fantry. By 1512, the tanks were in position at the western end of the bridge and were cover­ing the bridge with fire. At the same time, a charge went off on the causeway near the west end of the bridge, followed shortly by another charge two thirds of the way across. The first charge blew a large hole in the dirt causeway which ran from the road up to the bridge; the second damaged a main member of the bridge and blew a 30-foot hole in the bridge structure. A hole in the bridge floor which the Germans were repairing made the bridge temporarily impassable for vehicles.[4] The assault guns and mortars began firing white phosphorus on the town of ERPEL (F647205) at this time (1515) in an attempt to build up a smoke screen over the bridge. A strong, upstream wind prevented complete success, but partial concealment of the as­saulting force was accomplished.[5] The use of burning white phosphorus demoralized the defenders and drove them to cover. The re­mainder of Company A, 14th Tank Battalion, arrived at the bridge and went into firing po­sition downstream from the bridge. The 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, less Company A, dismounted in the town and prepared to as­sault the bridge.[1]

At 1520, a captured German soldier re­ported that the bridge was to be blown at 1600 that day. This information, which appears to have been widely known, was substantiated by several citizens of REMAGEN (F6420).

In order to evaluate properly the initial de­cision to establish a bridgehead over the RHINE and the subsequent decisions of higher commanders to exploit the operation, it is necessary to understand the plan of operation at the time. The mission of the 9th Armored Division was to go east to the RHINE and then cut south and establish bridgeheads over the AHR RIVER preparatory to continuing south for a linkup with the Third Army. Com­bat Command B, 9th Armored Division, was on the north and east flank of the division, charged with accomplishing the division mis­sion within the zone of the combat command. The task force commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Engeman was, of course, one of the striking forces of the combat command. No specific orders had been issued to anyone to seize a RHINE bridge and attack to the east. The decision to cross the bridge and to build up the bridgehead required a command de­cision at each echelon—a decision which was not as obvious as it appears at first glance.

[I]Statement of Lt Col Engeman, CO, 14th Tank Battalion.
[2]After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945, page 12.
[3]Statement of Maj Cecil E. Roberts, S-3, 14th Tank Battalion.
[4]Statement of Lt John Grimball, 1st Platoon, Company A, 14th Tank Battalion.
[5]After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945, page 13.

It is probable that very few places along the whole stretch of the RHINE were less suited for a large-scale river crossing. From a tactical standpoint, the REMAGEN BRIDGE was on the north shoulder of a shallow salient into the enemy side of the river. The ground on the east bank rose precipitously from the river and continued rising through rough wooded hills for 5000 meters inland. The primary road net consisted of a river road and two mountain roads, any of which could be easily blocked. From a supply and reinforcement viewpoint, the bridge site was near the southern, army boundary. Only one primary road ran into REMAGEN from the west, and that road did not run along the normal axis of supply. Fur­thermore, there had been no build-up of sup­plies at the crossing site in anticipation of a crossing at that point. As previously stated, therefore, the decision was not so obvious as it first appears. The possibility of putting a force across the river only to have the bridge fall and the force annihilated approached the probable. A negative decision which would have ignored the possibility of seizing the bridge while insuring the accomplishment of the assigned mission would have been easy. Probably the most important observation noted on the whole operation is that each echelon of command did something positive, thereby demonstrating not only a high degree of initia­tive but also the flexibility of mind in com­manders toward which all armies strive but which they too rarely attain.

At 1550, Company A, 27th Armored Infan­try Battalion, reached the east bank of the river, closely followed by Companies B and C.[1][2] The crossings were made under spo­radic fire from 20-mm flak guns and uncoor­dinated small-arms fire from both sides of the river.[2] The guns of Company A, 14th Tank Battalion, drove the German defenders from the bridge road surface and from the stone piers of the bridge. In addition, the tanks en­gaged the flak guns on the east bank which were opposing the crossing.[3] On gaining the far shore, Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, turned downstream and began sweeping ERPEL (F647207). Company B scaled the cliffs immediately north of the bridge and seized HILL 191 (F645208) while Company C attacked toward ORSBERG (F652216).[4] Troops from Company B, 9th Ar­mored Engineer Battalion, moved onto the bridge with the assault infantry. These engi­neers, moving rapidly across the bridge, cut every wire in sight and threw the explosives into the river.4 No effective repairs of the bridge could be accomplished until dark, how­ever, due to extremely accurate and heavy fire from the snipers stationed on both banks of the river.[5]

As the leading elements reached the far shore, CCB received an order by radio that missions to the east were to be abandoned: "Proceed south along the west bank of the RHINE." At 1615 the Commanding General, Combat Command B, received an order issued to his liaison officer by the division G-3 at 071050 March, ordering Combat Command B to "seize or, if necessary, construct at least one bridge over the AHR RIVER in the Combat Command B zone and continue to advance approximately five kilometers south of the AHR; halt there and wait for further orders." Upon receiving this order, General Hoge decided to continue exploitation of the bridge­head until he could confer with the Com­manding General, 9th Armored Division. By 071650 March, the division and Combat Command B commanders had conferred at BIRRESDORF (F580217), and the division

[1]After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945, page 13.
[2]After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[3]Statement of Lt John Grimball, 1st Platoon, Company A, 14th Tank Battalion.
[4]Alter Action Report, CCB, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, page 9.
[5]Statement of Maj Cecil E. Roberts, S-3, 14th Tank Battalion.

commander directed Combat Command B to secure and expand the bridgehead.[1] Task Force Prince at SINZIG to be relieved by Combat Command A and Task Force Robin­son on the north to be covered by one troop, 89th Reconnaissance Squadron; division re­sponsible to the west end of the bridge.[2] This released for the bridgehead forces the follow­ing units:

Company C, 656th Tank Destroyer Bat­talion.
Troop C, 89th Reconnaissance Squadron.
52d Armored Infantry Battalion.
1st Battalion, 310th Infantry.
1 platoon, Company B, 9th Armored En­gineer Battalion.

Provisions were made to guide these units to their areas, and a time schedule of crossing was drawn up.[3]

The command post of the bridgehead force was set up in REMAGEN 200 yards west of the bridge at 1605. Combat Command B command post was established at BIRRESDORF (F580217) at 1200.
At 1855, the bridgehead commander re­ceived orders from Combat Command B to secure the high ground around the bridgehead and to mine securely all roads leading into the bridgehead from the east. In addition, he was informed that the necessary troops required to perform this mission were on the way and that the division would protect the rear of the task force.[4]

A dismounted platoon from Company D, 14th Tank Battalion, swept the area between the railroad and the woods on the high ground west and south of REMAGEN. This job, which was completed at 2040, silenced the flak guns and drove out the snipers who had been harassing the engineers working on the bridge.[3]

Late in the evening American Air inter­cepted a German order directing a heavy bombing attack on the bridge to be made at 080100 March. However, the bad weather prevented the German planes from getting off the ground.[2]

During the night, the two roads leading into REMAGEN from BIRRESDORF on the west and SINZIG (657164) on the south, as well as the streets of the town, became clogged with traffic; first by units of the combat command being hurriedly assembled, and later by re­inforcements being rushed up by III Corps. The night was rainy and very dark, which necessitated great efforts from all concerned to keep traffic moving at all. The bridge re­pairs, completed by midnight, permitted one ­way vehicular, traffic. Company A of the 14th Tank Battalion, less its 90-mm platoon, crossed successfully; and Company C, 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion, followed. The leading tank destroyer slipped off the temporary run­way on the bridge in the darkness and became wedged between two cross members of the structure, thereby halting all vehicular traffic for a period of three hours. By 080530 March, when the tank destroyer was finally towed off the bridge, the traffic jam was impeding movement as far back as BIRRESDORF (580217).[5]

During the next 24 hours, the following-designated units crossed the bridge:

080015 March

Company A, 14th Tank Battalion, less one platoon, crossed and set up a road block at (F642211) and one at (F656203).

[1]After Action Report, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, pages 19, 20.
[2]Statement of Major General Leonard.
[3]After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945, page 14.
[4]After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945, page 13.
[5]After Action Report, CCB, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, page 10.

080200 March

52d Armored Infantry Battalion, dismounted, started across the bridge. The battalion established its command post at ERPEL (F647207) at 0630 and took over the north half of the perimeter from UNKEL (F634224) to (F652227).[1]

080700 March

1st Battalion, 310th Infantry, crossed and oc­cupied the high ground south of the bridge around OCKENFELS (F673200) in order to deny the enemy use of the locality for observation on the bridge.

080715 March

14th Tank Battalion, less Company A, crossed and went into mobile reserve.2 During the remainder of the day of 8 March, the 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Di­vision, crossed and took up defensive positions to the east and northeast of the 27th and 52d Armored Infantry Battalions. By this time, the bridgehead was about one mile deep and two miles wide.

Following the 47th Infantry, the 311th In­fantry, 78th Division, crossed the river and went into an assembly area at (F647213).[3][4]

During the night of 8-9 March, traffic con­gestion in REMAGEN became so bad that only one battalion of the 60th Infantry was able to cross the river. One cause of the in­creased traffic difficulty was the almost con­tinuous artillery fire falling on the bridge and bridgehead, and the air strikes in the area.[5][6]

The command of the bridgehead changed twice in 26 hours. At 080001 March, the Com­manding General, Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division (General Hoge), assumed command of the forces east of the RHINE. During the night of 7-8 March, he moved to the east bank all command posts of units having troops across the river, so that a coordi­nated fight could continue even if the bridge were blown. At 090235 March, the Command­ing General, 9th Infantry Division (General Craig), assumed command of the bridgehead forces, and directed the operation until the breakout on 22 March.[7]

[1]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, page 3.
[2]After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945, page 15.
[3]After Action Report, CCB, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, page 9.
[4]After Action Report, CCB, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, page 10.
[5]After Action Report, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, page 20.
[6]Statement of Lt John Grimball, Company A, 14th Tank Battalion: "...the first round of German artillery fired at the bridge came in on the morning of March 8 at about 1030 or 1100 o'clock. I remember this very clearly . .
[7]After Action Report, CCB, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, pages 10, 11.

NARRATIVE: Build-up and Conduct of the Bridgehead

By the time the 9th Infantry Division as­sumed command of the bridgehead, it had become a major effort. The activities which then dominated the scene were threefold: (1) the close-in protection of the bridge and the building of additional crossings; (2) the enlarg­ing of the bridgehead; and (3) the reinforcing of the troops east of the RHINE. In order to understand correctly these problems and their solution, it is necessary to hark back several days and study the progressive situation.

6 March 1945

In the 9th Infantry Division zone the 47th Infantry Regiment drove approximately three miles past HEIMERZHEIM (F4135), a gain of five miles. The 60th Infantry attacked through the 39th Infantry Regiment and also advanced approximately five miles to BUSCH=HOVEN (F4631), which was captured.
Both Combat Command A and Combat Command B of the 9th Armored Division at­tacked to the southeast early in the morning, and continued the attack through the day and night to advance nine or ten miles. Although Combat Command A was held up for a number of hours at the city of RHEINBACH (F4425), it captured that place during the late morning and by midnight had taken VETTELHOVEN (F5219) and BOLINGEN (F5319). Combat Command B captured MIEL (F4230) and MORENHOVEN (F4430), and by 1530 had entered STADT MECKENHEIM (F4925).

The 78th Infantry Division's 311th Infantry, which had crossed the corps southern bound­ary into the V Corps zone in order to perform reconnaissance and protect the corps south flank, was relieved early by elements of the V Corps and attacked to the east. The regi­ment advanced up to five miles to MERZ-BACH (F4322), QUECKENBERG (F4022) LOCH (F4022), and EICHEN (F4216).

As a result of the changes of corps bound­aries that had been directed by First US Army during the night 5-6 March, the direction of attack was changed to the southeast, with consequent changes in division boundaries and objectives. The 1st Infantry Division's southern boundary was moved south so that the city of BONN (F5437) fell within the di­vision zone, and the division was directed to seize BONN and cut by fire the RHINE RIVER bridge at that place. The southern boundary of the 9th Infantry Division was also turned southeast so that the cities of BAD GODESBURG (F.5932) and LANNESDORF (F6129) became its objectives, and the 9th Armored Division was directed to seize REMAGEN (F6420) and crossings over the AHR RIVER in the vicinity of SINZIG (F6516), HEIMERSHEIM (F6016), and BAD NEUENAHR (F5716). The 78th Infantry Division was directed to seize crossings over the AHR RIVER at AHRWEILER (F5416) and places to the west of AHRWEILER (F5416), and was instructed to continue to protect the III Corps right flank. All divisions were directed to clear the enemy from the west bank of the RHINE RIVER in their respective zones, and all ar­tillery was directed that pozit or time fuses only would be used when firing on RHINE RIVER bridges.

During the night of 6-7 March, 9th Armored Division was directed to make its main effort toward the towns of REMAGEN and BAD NEUENAHR, and was informed that closing to the RHINE RIVER at MEHLEM (F6129) was of secondary importance.

By 1900, First US Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Courtney H. Hodges, re­quested the Air Force not to bomb either BONN or BAD GODESBURG. It was also requested that all the RHINE RIVER bridges in III Corps zone be excluded from bombing, although no objection was made to attacking ferry sites, pontoon bridges, boats, or barges being used to ferry men and equipment across the RHINE RIVER.
The III Corps command post opened at ZULPICH (F2333) at 1200.

7 March 1945

Corps continued its rapid advance of the preceding day and drove from five to 12 miles along its entire front to seize the railroad bridge across the RHINE RIVER at RE­MAGEN (F6420), as well as a number of cros­sings over the AHR RIVER in the vicinity of SINZIC (F6516), BAD NEUENAHR (F5716), HEIMERSHEIM (F6016), and AHRWEILER (F5416). On this day, enemy resistance ap­peared to collapse, and opposition was scattered with no apparent organized lines of defense. The little resistance encountered was confined to towns, where small groups de­fended with small-arms fire, although at HEIMERSHEIM and BAD NEUENAHR the enemy defended stubbornly.

At 1400, III Corps was assigned a new mission when Major General W. B. Kean, Chief of Staff, First US Army, visited the corps command post at ZULPICH with in­structions directing the corps to advance south along the west bank of the RHINE RIVER and effect a junction with the Third US Army, which was driving north toward the RHINE at a point only a few miles south of the III Corps right flank. A message cancelling this mission was received at III Corps headquar­ters at approximately 1845 when Brigadier General T. C. Thorsen, G-3, First US Army, in a telephone message, directed that "Corps seize crossings on the AHR RIVER, but do not move south of the road, KESSELING (F4909)-STAFFEL (F5109)-RAMERSBACH (F5410)-KONIGSFELD (F6011), except on First US Army order." A second telephone call from First US Army at approximately 2015 informed HI Corps that it had been relieved of its mis­sion to the south, but that the III Corps was to secure its bridges over the AHR RIVER, where lt would be relieved as soon as possible by elements of the 2d Infantrv Division (V Corps).

In the zone of the 9th Infantry Division, the 60th Infantry Regiment attacked in the di­rection of BONN, while the 39th Infantry Regiment continued to attack toward BAD GODESBERG (F5932). By midnight, after advances of several miles, elements were in position to attack BAD GODESBERG and objectives to the south along the RHINE.

To the south, in the zone of the 79th Infan­try Division, the 309th Infantry Regiment at­tacked through the 311th Infantry Regiment, and advanced from eight to ten miles against light resistance and seized crossings over the AHR RIVER.

The 9th Armored Division, having been given the mission of seizing REMAGEN and crossings over the AHR, moved out in the morning with Combat Command A on the right and Combat Command B on the left. The mission of Combat Command A was to seize crossings at BAD NEUENAHR and HEIMERSHEIM, while Combat Command B was to take REMAGEN and KRIPP (F6718) and seize crossings over the AHR at SINZIG and BODENDORF (F63I7). Combat Com­mand B consequently attacked in two columns, one in the direction of each of its objectives, with 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry, and a tank destroyer company covering the left flank. Although Combat Command A met stiff oppo­sition at BAD NEUENAHR, Combat Com­mand B met practically none and captured SINZIG and BODENDORF (F6317) by noon with bridges intact, and by 1530 had captured REMAGEN, against light opposition. Upon finding the bridge at REMAGEN intact, Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Engeman, com­manding the north column of Combat Com­mand B, seized the bridge.

First news of the seizure of the bridge ar­rived at the III Corps command post at ap­proximately 1700 when Colonel James H. Phillips, Chief of Staff, received a telephone call from Colonel Harry Johnson, Chief of Staff, 9th Armored Division. Colonel Phillips was informed that the bridge was taken intact, and was asked for instructions. At this time, the corps commander was at the command post of the 78th Infantry Division, and al­though First US Army had given no instruc­tions regarding the capture of the bridge, Colonel Phillips gave instructions for the 9th Armored Division (less CCA) to exploit the bridgehead as far as possible, but to hold SINZIG. Colonel Phillips then relayed the information to Major General Milliken, who confirmed these instructions and immediately made plans to motorize the 47th Infantry Regiment (9th Infantry Division) and dispatch it to REMAGEN. The 311th Infantry Regi­ment of the 78th Infantry Division was alerted for movement to the bridgehead.
Ill Corps was presented with the problem of making troops available for immediate em­ployment in the bridgehead. The greater parts of all three divisions were engaged. As an expedient, units had to be moved to the bridgehead in the order in which they could be made available. In order to achieve effec­tive control and unity of command, it was decided to attach all units initially, as they crossed the river, to Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, for securing the initial bridgehead.
As a result, the 47th Infantry Regiment, having been motorized, became attached to Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, at 2100; and the 78th Infantry Division was instructed to have the Commanding Officer, 311th Infantry Regiment, with necessary staff officers, report to the Commanding General, 9th Armored Division. The 78th Infantry Di­vision was told that III Corps would furnish trucks to the regiment at 080100 March, and that movement would be upon call of the Commanding General, 9th Armored Division. First US Army, on being notified of the day's developments, confirmed the decision to exploit the bridgehead. A telephone call to III Corps from First Army at 2015 included the information that the 7th Armored Divi­sion was attached to III Corps immediately, for use in relieving the 9th Infantry Division; that elements of the 2d Infantry Division (V Corps) would relieve the 78th Infantry Divi­sion and CCA of the Eth Armored Division as soon as possible; that a new V-III Corps boundary was placed in effect immediately; and that First Army was sending a 90-mm antiaircraft battalion, a treadway bridge com­pany, and a DUKW company to III Corps.

Major General Robert W. Hasbrouck, Com­manding General, 7th Armored Division, was instructed to immediately move one combat command, reinforced by one battalion of infantry, to an area MIEL (F4230)-MOREN-HOVEN (F4430)-BUSCHHOVEN (F4631)-DUNSTEKOVEN (F4333), where it would become attached temporarily to the 9th In­fantry Division. In turn, the 9th Infantry Di­vision was informed of these arrangements, and was directed that the 60th Infantry Regi­ment, after relief by Combat Command A, 7th Armored Division, would become attached to the 9th Armored Division.

Other considerations were the need for artillery support, the protection of the bridge against enemy air action and sabotage, the construction of additional bridges, and the problems of signal communication. The signal plan had been built around an axis of advance to the south and did not envisage a need for extensive communications in the REMAGEN area.

Artillery plans also needed quick revision. By 2230, one 4.5-inch gun battalion, one 155-mm gun battalion, and one S-inch how­itzer battalion were in position, ready to deli­ver fire. Heavy interdiction fires around the bridgehead were planned.

By 080300 March the 482d Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion had established defense of the bridge. Assurance was given by First Army that air cover would be provided from any base on the continent or in the United Kingdom from which planes were able to leave the ground.
Visibility during the day was fair, with low clouds and scattered rains throughout. Heavy rains fell during the night.

8 March 1945

Activity on 8 March was concerned pri­marily with reinforcing the troops across the river as rapidly as possible, expanding the bridgehead, and clearing the enemy from the west bank of the RHINE.

East of the RHINE the enemy took no concerted action. No counterattacks were launched and no organized defenses were encountered. KASBACH (F6620) and UNKEL (F6322) were captured, and at the day's end, the 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, was fighting in LINZ (F6718). The 47th In­fantry Regiment crossed the river in the after­noon and went into positions northeast of the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion.

The 78th Infantry Division was directed at 0200 to cancel all attacks which had been scheduled for this day, and to hold the AHR RIVER bridgehead until relief had been effected by the 2d Infantry Division. Major General Walter M. Robertson, Commanding General, 2d Infantry Division, had visited the 78th Infantry Division command post, and had stated that the relief could be completed no earlier than 0815 of that day.

At this time the 309th Infantry Regiment was the only regiment under control of the 78th Infantry Division which was actually engaged. The 310th Infantry Regiment had previously been attached to the 9th Armored Division, with which it was currently operat­ing, and the 311th Infantry Regiment, having been alerted for movement on the preceding night, had been assembled and was prepared to move by 0500. Movement of the 311th Infantry Regiment began during the morning and by late afternoon the regiment closed in the bridgehead area, where it became at­tached to the 9th Armored Division.

At 0945, the 309th Infantry Regiment was alerted for movement to the bridgehead, when
instructions were issued to Major General Edwin P. Parker, Commanding General, 78th Infantry Division, directing that the 309th Infantry Regiment, upon relief by the 2d Infantry Division, be assembled and marched on secondary roads to an area designated by Major General Leonard, Commanding Gen­eral, 9th Armored Division. Major General Parker, Commanding General, 78th Infantry Division, was instructed that control of his regiments would be returned to him as soon as he was prepared to assume command of his zone of action in the bridgehead area. At 1755, the relief of the 309th Infantry Regiment was completed, and at that time, control of the zone of the 78th Infantry Division passed to the Commanding General, 2d Infantry Di­vision. At 1815, two battalions of the 309th Infantry Regiment were ordered to move within seven hours, and the regiment began crossing during the night, closing in the bridgehead area on the following day.

Movement of the 7th Armored Division into the zone of the 9th Infantry Division contin­ued throughout the day; and at 1235, Combat Command A had closed in the area and be­came attached to the 9th Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry, had been assembled by afternoon and had crossed the river by early morning of 9 March. Combat Command B, 7th Armored Division, became attached to the 9th Infantry Division at 1100, and was directed to move during the after­noon to relieve the 39th Infantry Regiment. At 1715, the Commanding General, 7th Ar­mored Division, assumed command of the zone, and all 7th Armored Division elements, plus those units of the 9th Infantry Division remaining in the zone, passed to his control.

The anticipated attachment of the 99th Infantry Division made it doubly important that some agency be given the responsibility of staging and moving troops west of the RHINE. Consequently, the Commanding General, 9th Armored Division, was directed to continue to perform this function. The Commanding Generals, 9th Infantry and 9th Armored Di­visions, operated as a team, one furnishing troops to the other as called for. HI Corps set up the priority for the movements of troops available west of the RHINE as rapidly as they could be disengaged, and established a tactical command post at REMAGEN to (1) expedite information to corps, (2) give advice for solution of rising problems, (3) closely su­pervise engineer operations, and (4) supervise traffic and control roads. A traffic circulation plan was placed in effect in which eastbound traffic moved on northerly roads, which were not under enemy observation, and westbound traffic moved on southerly routes. Thus, loaded vehicles ran less risk of receiving ar­tillery fire. In order that bridge traffic would not be interrupted by westbound ambulance traffic, it was decided that casualties would be returned by LCVPs, DUKWs, and ferries, which were soon placed in operation.

Because of poor weather conditions—the day was cold with rain and low overcast— fighter-bombers were grounded and were unable to furnish cover protection for the bridge. However, the enemy attempted ten raids over the bridge with ten aircraft, eight of which were Stukas. By afternoon, however, the 482d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion had three batteries at the bridge site with three platoons on the east and three platoons on the west bank of the river, while the 413th Anti­aircraft Artillery Battalion (90-mm) went into positions on the west bank; and of the ten attacking aircraft, eight were shot down.

Because of the air attacks and the artillery fire, the engineers at the bridge site requested that smoke be employed, and requests were again made of First US Army for a smoke generator unit. Because none was available at this time, however, smoke pots were gathered from all available sources. The 9th Armored Group was ordered to furnish CDLs (search lights mounted on tanks) to assist in protecting the bridge against floating mines, swimmers, riverboats, etc., and depth charges were dropped into the river at five-minute intervals during the night to discourage swimmers bent on demolishing the bridge.

By the end of the day, the forces in the bridgehead consisted of the 27th Armored In­fantry Battalion, the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, the 14th Tank Battalion, the 47th Infantry Regiment, the 3Hth Infantry Regi­ment, the 1st Battalion of the 60th Infantry Regiment, the 1st and 2d Battalions of the 310th Infantry Regiment, Company C of the 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Troop C of the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron, one pla­toon of Company B of the 9th Armored Engi­neer Battalion, and one and one half batteries of the 482d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. The 309th Infantry Regiment was en route.

Ill Corps Operations Directive No. 10 was published, which established three objectives, known as lines Red, White, and Blue. The seizure of line Red was to prevent small-arms fire from being delivered on the bridge area; when line White had been reached, observed artillery fire would be eliminated; and the seizure of line Blue would prevent medium artillery fire from being delivered on the bridge sites.

9 March 1945

On the third day of the bridgehead opera­tion, enemy opposition east of the RHINE stiffened considerably, as elements of the 11th Panzer Division were contacted on the front. Enemy troops had been reported moving on the autobahn with lights on during the night. Although the 311th Infantry Regiment made good progress to the north, where it made gains of from 2000 to 3000 yards, strong re­sistance was met in the south and center of the bridgehead, and the enemy attacked with in­fantry, tanks, and aircraft. Fire of all types was received, and heavy artillery fire landed in the vicinity of the bridge. During the early afternoon, a direct hit on an ammunition truck which was crossing the bridge caused considerable damage, placing the bridge out of operation for several hours. n
On the west of the RHINE, all organized resistance ceased; and at 1125, the 7th Ar­mored Division was able to report that its zone had been cleared of the enemy from boundary to boundary and to the river. Relief of the 60th Infantry Regiment was completed early in the afternoon, and at 1300, that regi­ment was relieved of attachment to the 7th Armored Division. The regiment, the 1st Bat­talion of which had crossed to the east of the RHINE the preceding day, closed in the bridgehead during the early morning hours of the 10th. The 39th Infantry Regiment, having captured BAD GODESBERG (F5832), was relieved by elements of the 7th Armored Di­vision by 1800, and prepared to move into the bridgehead on the following day. The 7th Armored Division was directed to outpost islands in the RHINE RIVER at (F627270) and (F632270), opposite HONNEF, and to prevent movement of enemy upstream toward the bridge sites.

Of the 78th Infantry Division, all but the 309th Infantry Regiment and elements of the 310th Infantry Regiment, attached to Combat Command A, 9th Armored Division, had crossed the RHINE on 7 and 8 March. The 309th Infantry Regiment, having begun its movement across the river on 8 March, closed in the bridgehead late in the afternoon of 9 March, and at 0930, elements of the 2d In­fantry Division were moving into position to relieve the 310th Infantry Regiment(-) in the AHR RIVER bridgeheads. That relief was completed at approximately 1600. By 100400 March, the 310th Infantry Regiment had crossed completely, and the only elements of the 78th Infantry Division remaining west of the RHINE at that time were the division artillery and spare parts.

During the morning the command post, 9th Infantry Division, opened at ERPEL (F647205). The Commanding General, 9th Infantry^Division, was directed that elements or the 78th Infantry Division currently at­tached to the 9th Infantry Division would revert to control of the Commanding General, 78th Infantry Division, at a time and place agreed upon by the two division commanders, and that the Commanding General, 78th In­fantry Division, would assume control of the north sector of the bridgehead. The Com­manding General, 9th Infantry Division, was instructed early in the morning to continue the attack and to seize line White.

At 1015, the 99th Infantry Division, com­manded by Major General Walter E. Lauer became attached to III Corps, and during the late afternoon the division began to move into an assembly area in the vicinity of STADT MECKENHEIM (F4925). By midnight, the 393d and 394th Infantry Regiments had closed in the area, and the 395th Infantry Regiment was en route.

Instructions were issued directing: (1) that the 99th Infantry Division (artillery), with the 535th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, the 629th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the 786th Tank Battalion attached, would cross the RHINE, commencing at 102030 March; (2) that the division would pass through elements of Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, and attack to the south; and (3) that one in­fantry regiment (minus one battalion) was not to be committed except on III Corps orders. This regiment, the 395th, was to move to an assembly area within one hour's marching distance of the bridge site, and was to close there by the evening of 11 March.

Elements of the 9th Armored Division, which were holding its bridgehead across the AHR RIVER, were directed: (1) to be pre­pared to move east of the RHINE on III Corps orders; (2) to continue to protect bridges over the AHR RIVER; and (3) to maintain contact with the 2d Infantry Division (V Corps) on the corps south flank.

The III Corps Engineer was directed to as­sume control of all engineer activity at the bridge site, thus relieving 9th Armored Di­vision engineers of that responsibility. At the
time, two ferries were already in operation, and a third was nearing completion. Con­struction had been started at 091030 March on a treadway bridge at (F648202), and it was planned that a heavy pontoon bridge would be built upstream at (F674186) (KRIPP). A con­tact boom, a log boom, and a net boom, de­signed to protect the bridge from water-borne objects, were under construction upstream from the bridge.

Early in the day. the 16th Antiaircraft Ar­tillery Group was directed to employ all anti­aircraft artillery units for the protection of the bridge, and consequently the antiaircraft de­fense of the bridge site was strengthened by the arrival of two additional battalions. The 109th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion be­came operational on the west bank of the RHINE, and the 634th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion crossed and went into position on the east bank.
The corps command post opened at RHEIN-BACH (F4425) at 1220.

At the close of the day, the forces in the bridgehead had been strengthened by the arrival of the 309th Infantry Regiment, the remainder of the 310th Infantry Regiment, the 60th Infantry Regiment, and additional antiaircraft protection. The antitank defense of the bridgehead had been bolstered by the tank destroyers accompanying the regimental combat teams.

Although no artillery—or at best an occa­sional battery—had as yet moved east of the RHINE, the artillery of the divisions, as well as corps artillery, supported the operation from positions on the west side.

The day was cold, with visibility restricted by a low overcast which continued through­out the day. No fighter-bombers flew in sup­port of the bridgehead, but medium bombers flew several missions.

10 March 1945

The expansion of the bridgehead continued against stiffening resistance. Very heavy resistance was encountered in the area north­east of BRUCHHAUSEN (F6522), and strong points which delayed the advance were en­countered in the entire zone. Fire from small arms, self-propelled weapons, mortars, and artillery was received.

In the north, the 311th Infantry Regiment attacked HONNEF (F6427). The 309th In­fantry Regiment, in the northeast portion of the corps zone, advanced some 2000 yards to the east after repulsing one counterattack, and in the center sector the 47th Infantry Regi­ment received sharp counterattacks which forced a slight withdrawal. The regiment, assisted by the 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, repulsed these counterattacks, how­ever, and during the afternoon the 3d Bat­talion, 310th Infantry Regiment, followed by the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion (attached to the 310th Infantry Regiment), attacked through the 47th Infantry Regiment and ad­vanced up to 1000 yards. The 60th Infantry Regiment, in the southeast, attacked and gained about 1500 yards. Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division (1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, and 27th Armored Infan­try Battalion), plus elements of the 60th In­fantry Regiment, attacked south and reached a point about 700 yards south of LINZ (F6718), capturing DATTENBERG (F6817) en route.

The movement of the 9th Infantry Division across the RHINE was completed at 1825, when the 39th Infantry Regiment closed in the bridgehead, in an assembly area in the vicinity of BRUCHHAUSEN (F6522). The Command­ing General, 9th Infantry Division, requested that he be relieved of responsibility for the security of the railroad bridge and bridging operations at REMAGEN, and consequently the 14th Cavalry Group was directed to as­sume that responsibility. Instructions were issued directing the group to move to an assembly area in the vicinity of STADT MECKENHEIM
(F4925)-ARZDORF (F5423)-RINGEN (F5419)-GELSDORF (F5021) on 11 March.

The 99th Infantry Division closed in its as­sembly area west of the RHINE early in the morning and at 1530 one regimental combat team was directed by the corps to move into the bridgehead. The 394th Infantry Regiment began to cross the RHINE during the night, and at 2100 the corps directed that the re­maining two infantry regiments plan to arrive at the bridge on the following morning. Ill Corps directed that the 99th Infantry Division plan to take over in the southern sector of the bridgehead.
III Corps Artillery, reinforced by V and VII Corps Artillery, fired heavy interdiction and counterbattery missions during the day.

11 March 1945

The attack to enlarge the bridgehead pro­gressed slowly against continuous stubborn resistance. Few gains were made in the north and central sectors. The 394th Infantry Regi­ment, which had completed crossing early in the morning, attacked to the south through Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, and gained up to 3000 yards, capturing LUEBSDORF (F6816) and ARIENDORF (F6814). Elsewhere in the bridgehead, some local objectives were taken and a number of counterattacks, supported by tanks, were re­pulsed.

The 394th Infantry Regiment, the first of the 99th Infantry Division units to move into the bridgehead, completed its crossing early in the morning and became attached to the 9th Infantry Division at 0730. At 0830, the As­sistant Division Commander, 99th Infantry Division, opened an advanced command post with the command post, 9th Infantry Division. By noontime, the 393d Infantry Regiment had closed east of the RHINE. The 395th Infan­try Regiment moved out during the early morning hours to an assembly area in the vicinity of BODENDORF (F6317), and at ap­proximately 1230 its 1st Battalion had crossed the RHINE, to be followed during the day by the 2d and 3d Battalions. The division com­mand post opened at L1NZ (F6718), and at 1400 the Commanding General, 99th Infantry Division, assumed control of the southern sec­tor, at which time he assumed command of the 393d and 394th Infantry Regiments. As the attack of 'the 393d and 394th Infantry Regiments progressed to the south and south­east, elements of Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, were relieved in the line and began to assemble, preparatory to going into III Corps reserve. The 27th Armored Infantry Battalion assembled in the vicinity of UNKEL (F6322). The 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, was detached from Com­bat Command B, 9th Armored Division, and reverted to control of the 9th Infantry Division at 1200. Company A, 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the 60th Armored Infantry Battalion were attached to Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division. The 395th Infantry Regiment was attached to the 9th Infantry Division effective at 1200 and designated as bridgehead reserve.

The Commanding General, 78th Infantry Division, assumed control of the northern por­tion of the bridgehead at 0900, and at the same time assumed command of the 309th and 311th Infantry Regiments, both of which were attacking. The 310th Infantry Regiment, however, remained attached to the 9th In­fantry Division, in whose zone it was heavily engaged. The 39th Infantry Regiment, which was operating in the zone of the 78th Infantry Division, became attached to that division. Effective at 1100, Company C, 90th Chemical Battalion, was attached to the 39th Infantry Regiment. Ill Corps directed the 78th Infan­try Division units currently operating in the zone of the 9th Infantry Division, and 9th Infantry Division elements operating in the zone of the 78th, to be relieved and returned to their respective divisions as soon as opera­tional conditions permitted. It was directed that details of relief would be agreed upon by the division commanders concerned.
The 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, which had been attached to Combat Command B, 13, 9th Armored Division, remained on a two-hour alert on the west bank of the RHINE.

The 9th Infantry Division, having turned over control of the greater portion of the bridgehead to the commanding generals of the 78th and 99th Infantry Divisions by 1400, continued its operations with the 47th and 60th Infantry Regiments plus the 310th In­fantry Regiment of the 78th Infantry Division. Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, and the 395th Infantry Regiment remained attached to the 9th Infantry Division.

The artillery of both the 9th and 7th Ar­mored Divisions fired in support of the bridge­head, and the 7th Armored Division occupied the island in the RHINE at (F62S270). On the east side, the 78th Infantry Division discov­ered a highway bridge leading to the island at (F632270) and sent patrols to that island, whereupon the 7th Armored Division was relieved of that mission.

In the vicinity of the bridge sites, the enemy made desperate attempts to knock out the railroad bridge and prevent operation of the treadway. The treadway was opened to traffic at 0700, but because of several damaged pon­toons, was able to handle only light traffic initially. Artillery fire was heavy throughout the night of 10-11 March and the morning of 11 March. At approximately 0515, the rail­road bridge was placed in operation again after having been temporarily closed be­cause of damage from artillery fire. Although it remained in operation throughout the day, the movement of traffic was hazardous be­cause of heavy interdiction fires. During the night of 11 March, an enemy noncommissioned officer with radio was captured near the bridge.

The heavy pontoon bridge at (F673186) (KRIPP) was ready for operation at 1700, but was damaged by an LCVP, and it was 2400 before the bridge was reopened. It was planned to divert traffic to the bridge begin­ning at 120500 March. The DUKW company and three ferry sites continued to be employed.
The antiaircraft defenses of the bridges were strengthened during the day. The 1:34th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion became operational on the west bank of the river. Three batteries of the 376th Antiaircraft Ar­tillery Automatic Weapons Battalion went into position on the west side of the river and one on the east. Heavy concentrations were in­strumental in breaking up several German counterattacks.

The day was cool with intermittent rain.

12 March 1945

All three divisions attacked to expand the bridgehead in the face of very aggressive and determined enemy resistance. Opposition was encountered from tanks, infantry, self-pro­pelled guns, and fire of all types. A number of counterattacks were repulsed. In the north, the 309th Infantry Regiment was forced to de­fend in position, and the 311th Infantry Regi­ment received two counterattacks. At 1200, the 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, was detached from the 9th Infantry Division and reverted to control of the 78th Infantry Division. The battalion was then attached to the 311th Infantry Regiment. At 2300 the 60th Armored Infantry Battalion was also attached to the 311th Infantry because of the strong enemy pressure in the regimental zone. The 39th Infantry Regiment (attached to the 78th Infantry Division) attacked, but made little progress.

In the central sector, the 9th Infantry Di­vision made slow progress, although the 60th Infantry Regiment attacked to the outskirts of HARGARTEN (F7120), where heavy fighting took place. The 310th Infantry Regiment (-1st Battalion), after reaching its objective, the high ground in the vicinity of (F690240), received a counterattack and was forced to withdraw.

In the south, however, the 99th Infantry Division met lighter opposition initially. The 393d Infantry Regiment advanced up to 3000 yards to capture GINSTERHAHN (F7219)
and ROTHEKREUZ (F7218). On the high ground north of HONNINGEN strong re­sistance consisting primarily of self-propelled weapons and small-arms fire was encountered. The 395th Infantry Regiment remained in assembly areas under operational control of the 9th Infantry Division until 1SO0, at which time it came under III Corps control as corps reserve. The 39th Infantry Regiment attacked toward KALENBORN (F7024). The rugged terrain and determined defense prevented the regiment from reaching its objective.

At 1S00, Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, was detached from the 9th Infantry Division and came under III Corps control. The 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, upon closing in the bridgehead area at 2300, was attached to the 78th Infantry Division, where it became attached to the 311th Infantry Regiment.

The 7th Armored Division Artillery, rein­forced by fires from the division tanks and attached tank destroyers, fired in support of the 78th Infantry Division, while the 9th Ar­mored Division Artillery supported the opera­tions of the 99th Infantry Division. Up to this point in the operations, the artillery had been able to support the division operations from west of the river with excellent results, and by remaining west of the river had eased the resupply problem. On this day, four field artil­lery battalions, two belonging to the 9th In­fantry Division and one each to the 78th and the 99th Infantry Divisions, crossed the river; and a schedule which contemplated the cross­ing of six additional artillery battalions was set up for 13 March.

A marked decrease in enemy artillery ac­tivity was noted during the night of 11-12 March and during the following day.

During the period 120600 to 130600 March, Uie enemy increased his efforts to destroy the bridges by aerial assault. A total of 58 raids were made by 91 planes, 26 of which were shot down and eight of which were damaged

The 14th Cavalry Group assumed the re­sponsibility of guarding the bridge and con­trolling traffic in the bridging area. The 16th Battalion Fusiliers (Belgian), scheduled to ar­rive in the III Corps area on 13 March, was attached to the 8th Tank Destroyer Group, which had been charged with the responsi­bility of guarding rear areas.

At 1315, the III Corps command post moved from RHEINBACH (F4425) to BAD NEUEN-AHR (F5716).

13 March 1945

Expansion of the bridgehead continued to be slow because of extremely difficult terrain and stubborn and aggressive enemy resistance, which included several infantry counterattacks supported by armor. In the south-central sec­tor the enemy employed an estimated 15 tanks, and in the northern area approximately 2100 artillery rounds were received. The terrain in this area consisted of steep slopes, heavily forested areas, and a limited road net, which restricted gains to approximately two kilo­meters.

The 78th Infantry Division's 311th Infantry Regiment made the day's greatest gains-approximately two kilometers—after repulsing a counterattack of battalion strength. The 309th and 39th Infantry Regiments made some progress, and by dusk the 39th Infantry Regi­ment had secured observation of the town of KALENBORN (F7024). In the center of the III Corps zone, the 9th Infantry Division attacked along its entire front and made small advances. The 60th Infantry Regiment cleared HARGARTEN (F713206) and con­tinued to advance toward ST KATHERINEN (F7221), but the 310th Infantry Regiment (-1st Battalion), with the 52d Armored In­fantry Battalion attached, met heavy resist­ance from tanks, mortars, and artillery and was unable to take its objective.

The 99th Infantry Division moved out early in the morning, with the 393d Infantry Regi­ment attacking to the east. At 1300, the 2d Battalion, 395th Infantry Regiment, was re­leased from III Corps reserve and reverted to division control. At 1715, III Corps was notified that the 393d Infantry Regiment was being held back because of the fear of overextending its lines. Ill Corps directed that the attack be pushed to secure the objective. The division was informed that an advance on the part of the 393d Infantry Regiment would assist the advance of the 60th Infantry Regiment (on its left) and that should the need arise, the remainder of the 395th Infantry Regi­ment would be released from corps reserve and returned to the division. This was done at 1800, although it was directed that one battalion be held in regimental reserve and not be committed except by authority of the corps commander.

During the morning, prior to the release of the 395th Infantry Regiment from corps re­serve, both the 395th Infantry Regiment and Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, were directed to prepare counterattack plans for employment in any portion of the corps zone. Routes and assembly areas were to be reconnoitered, and Combat Command B was further ordered to be prepared for attachment to any infantry division through which it might pass.

In an effort to further protect the bridge against enemy waterborne attack, V corps, commanded by Major General Clarence R. Huebner, was informed at 1700 that it was vital to use the utmost vigilance along the river to prevent enemy swimmers, mines, boats, or midget submarines from moving downstream. Ill Corps dispatched technical experts to the zone of the 7th Armored Divi­sion, where construction of a cable across the river was under way to assist in converting that cable into torpedo boom. One platoon (four CDLs) from Company C, 738th Tank Battalion, was attached to the 7th Armored Division, and the division was instructed to maintain observation and protection on the river and boom 24 hours per day.

The two military bridges remained in opera­tion throughout the day, but the railroad bridge was closed in order to make permanent repairs necessitated by the damage caused by the initial attempt to blow the bridge, and subsequent damage caused by enemy artillery fire and heavy traffic. The ferry sites, DUKWs and LCVPs remained in operation, but three heavy pontoon battalions were relieved of attachment to III Corps over the objection of the corps engineer, who requested that the corps be permitted to retain at least one.

At 2300, the 9th Infantry Division requested "artificial moonlight" for its operations on the night of 14-15 March, and III Corps arranged to have four lights released to the control of the 9th Infantry Division on the following morning.

The enemy again made a desperate bid to knock out the bridges. Ninety planes made 47 raids between 130600 and 140600 March. Twenty-six planes were destroyed and nine damaged. Enemy artillery activity continued light, but III Corps Artillery, assisted by V and VII Corps Artillery, fired heavy counter-battery programs.

The 400th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and the 667th Field Artillery Battalion were relieved of attachment to the 9th Armored Division and were attached to the 9th and 99th Infantry Divisions respectively. The 9th Armored Division was directed to reinforce the fires of the 99th Infantry Division. The 7th Armored Division was directed to reinforce the fires of the 78th Infantry Division.

The day was cool and clear with good visibility. Six missions were flown in close support of corps, and P-38s flew continuous cover over the bridge sites.

14 March 1945

The attack to expand the bridgehead con­tinued, but progress was again slow because of stubborn enemy resistance and rugged terrain. Although there was no appreciable lessening of resistance, counterattacks were 6 fewer in number and smaller in size than during the past several days; and while re­sistance in the north was generally light during the first part of the day, opposition became increasingly heavier during the afternoon. The central sector showed a marked decline in small-arms fire, although artillery and mortar fire was particularly heavy. In the south, progress was slowed by what was described as moderate to heavy artillery fire. One coun­terattack by 40 to 50 dismounted enemy was broken up by friendly artillery fire.

In the zone of the 78th Infantry Division, the 39th Infantry Regiment attacked at 0630 with KALENBORN (F7024) as its objective. It was planned that upon seizing this objective, the regiment would return to control of the 9th Infantry Division. The objective was not taken, and the regiment remained attached to the 78th Infantry Division throughout the day. The attack of the 311th and 309th In­fantry Regiments progressed slowly. The 309th Infantry Regiment reached its objectives (1st Battalion, the RJ near HIMBERG (F694281); 2d Battalion, high ground south of AGIDIEN-BERG (F694295); and 3d Battalion, RJ in the vicinity of ROTTBITZE (F700276)). The 3d Battalion was driven off, but resumed the attack to retake its objective after severe hand-to-hand fighting.

In the center, the 9th Infantry Division at­tacked toward NOTSCHEID (F7122), LORSCHEID (F7221), and KALENBORN (F7024). Although LORSCHEID was entered and some ground was gained toward NOT­SCHEID, extremely stiff resistance, which included tanks, rockets, and automatic wea­pons fire, prevented extensive gains. The 52d Armored Infantry Battalion received counter­attacks during the afternoon by infantry sup­ported by approximately ten tanks.

In the south, the 99th Infantry Division attacked with the 393d Infantry Regiment and advanced about 1500 yards. At 1620, III Corps released the 2d Battalion, 395th Infantry Regi­ment, to division control. The 2d Battalion, 395th Infantry Regiment, began the relief of elements of the 393d Infantry Regiment and continued the attack. At 1700, the 2d Battalion, 393d Infantry Regiment, passed to HI Corps reserve. Patrols from the 394th Infantry Regi­ment, which was situated on the high ground north of HONNINGEN (F7012), entered the north edge of that town.

The 7th Armored Division completed con­struction of a double cable across the RHINE. Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, remained in III Corps reserve, and the 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron continued to maintain observation close on the west bank of the RHINE.

At 2200, information was received that First US Army was sending a barrage balloon unit of 25 balloons and 80 men to the bridgehead area to afford further protection against at­tacks by aircraft.
Ill Corps Artillery continued to support the operations, principally by firing counterbat-tery programs, assisted by V and VII Corps Artillery. Three additional field artillery bat­talions of division artillery crossed the river.

During the day, information was received from First Army that the 1st Infantry Division (VII) would cross the river through the III Corps zone commencing on 15 March. It was decided that foot troops would be ferried across the river in LCVPs while other elements of the division would cross on the bridges and ferries. First US Army further directed that at 161200 March, control of the 78th Infantry Division would be assumed by VII Corps, commanded by Major General J. Lawton Collins. At that time the boundary in the bridgehead between III and VII Corps would become effective.
Orders were issued to the 78th Infantry Di­vision directing it to select assembly areas for two combat teams of the 1st Infantry Division, which would be occupied on 15 and 16 March.

15 March 1945

As the attack continued and the 78th and 9th Infantry Divisions neared the autobahn, enemy resistance in the central sector con­tinued to be stubborn, although it decreased somewhat in the north and south. The 78th Infantry Division attacked early, and its 311th Infantry Regiment made advances of up to 2000 yards; while the 39th Infantry Regiment at the close of the day had advanced more than 1000 yards to capture SCHWEIFELD (F7026), where it received several counter­attacks. The 309th Infantry Regiment by the days end had advanced to within one mile of the autobahn, and had observation of that road.

The 9th Infantry Division cleared NOT-SCHEID and LORSCHEID, although the 60th and 47th Infantry Regiments encoun­tered strong opposition throughout the day. The enemy strove bitterly to resist advances to the autobahn, employing tanks, self-pro­pelled weapons, automatic weapons, and small-arms fire. In the zone of the 99th In­fantry Division, however, the enemy showed signs of weakening, as the division made good gains and reached its objectives. HAHNEN (F7318) and HESSELN (F7317) were cleared, and advances of more than 1500 yards were made. At 1200, the 2d Battalion, 393d Infantry Regiment, was released by III Corps to di­vision control, and the 3d Battalion, 395th Infantry Regiment, became corps reserve. Ill Corps directed that the battalion be motorized and moved to a position from which it could be readily employed.

Orders were received from the First US Army that the 7th Armored Division was not to be employed in the bridgehead. Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, remained in corps reserve. The 14th Cavalry Group maintained defenses of the bridges, and con­trolled traffic at the crossing sites.
Both military bridges remained in operation throughout the day, and repair work was con­tinued on the railway bridge. It was determined that a sag of from six inches to one foot had taken place, and that extensive work would have to be done before the bridge would be ready for use. The ferries, DUKWs and LCVPs continued to operate.

Enemy air activity over the bridge de­creased sharply, as only seven raids by 12 aircraft were reported between 150600 and 160600 March. Of the 12 planes, two were destroyed and two damaged. Supporting air­craft flew two missions for III Corps; armed reconnaissance was conducted to the corps front, and P-38's flew continuous over the bridge.

During the day, the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (VII Corps), completed its crossing, closing in the bridgehead at about 1500. The regiment moved north, and it was planned that the 18th Infantry Regiment would cross the river on 16 March.

First US Army issued a Letter of Instruc­tion, dated 15 March, which established a new boundary between III and VII Corps and designated three objectives: the initial objec­tive; initial bridgehead; and final bridgehead. Ill Corps was directed to continue the attack to secure the initial bridgehead, but no ad­vance was to be made past that point except on First US Army order. The boundary be­tween III and VII Corps was to become ef­fective at 161200 March, at which time control of the 78th Infantry Division was to pass to VII Corps.

As a result of these instructions issued by First US Army, III Corps published Opera­tions Directive No. 16, which confirmed frag­mentary orders already issued, announced the new boundaries and objectives, and directed a continuation of the attack to secure the initial objective. It contained these additional in­structions: (1) The 60th Armored Infantry Battalion would be detached from the 78th Infantry Division effective 161800 March and would revert to the control of Combat Com­mand B, 9th Armored Division, in corps reserve; (2) Company B, 90th Chemical Battalion was relieved of attachment to the, 78th Infantry Division; (3) the 170th Field Artillery Battalion (155-mm Howitzer) was attached to the 99th Infantry Division, effective 16 March; and (4) the 7th and 9th Armored Divisions would continue their present missions.

16 March 1945

Although enemy resistance continued stub­born in the central sector, where he resisted bitterly the advance to cut the autobahn, lighter resistance in the south permitted the 99th Infantry Division's 393d Infantry Regi­ment to advance some 4000 yards to the WE1D RIVER. The 394th Infantry Regiment ad­vanced approximately 2000 yards to the south and entered HONNINGEN (F7012), where house-to-house fighting took place during the night. The 395th Infantry Regiment (-3d Bat­talion, which remained in corps reserve) at­tacked to the east to secure the high ground west of the WEID RIVER, capturing three small towns. At the close of the day, the 99th Infantry Division had, on its south, reached the initial objective established by army and at one point had crossed it to secure dominating terrain.

In the zone of the 78th Infantry Division, the advance to cut the autobahn continued. At approximately 0200, the Commanding Gen­eral, 78th Infantry Division, requested the use of two tank platoons to be employed in his attack to the north in the vicinity of ITTENBACH (F668313). The 9th Armored Di­vision consequently was ordered to send two tank platoons to the control of the 78th In­fantry Division. The attack was successful; and at approximately 1415, the 309th Infantry Regiment was astride the autobahn. At 0930, the 39th Infantry Regiment reverted to the control of the 9th Infantry Division, at which time the III and VII Corps boundary became effective. The 60th Armored Infantry Battalion was to have reverted to command of Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division. its employment during the day prevented this, and permission to retain the battalion tem­porarily was requested by the Commanding General, 78th Infantry Division, and was granted by the corps. The 60th Armored In­fantry Battalion and the two tank platoons were returned to Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, on 17 March.

The 9th Infantry Division in the center of the bridgehead continued its attack early in the morning. By the close of the day, it was fighting in STRODT (F7322) and had cap­tured KALENBORN (F7024) and an objec­tive in the vicinity of (F716238). The 39th Infantry Regiment, upon relief, reverted to control of the Commanding General, 9th In­fantry Division. At 0930, the 310th Infantry Regiment reverted to control of the 78th In­fantry Division.

At 2230, First US Army gave permission to have the 99th Infantry Division continue the attack to the south if III Corps so desired, and accordingly the 99th Infantry Division was directed on the following morning to continue the attack to the south.

The 18th Infantry Regiment (1st Infantry Division) closed in assembly areas east of the RHINE at about 1300.

17 March 1945

In the northern part of the bridgehead, the expansion continued, advancing from 1000 to 3000 yards against enemy resistance that maintained its stubborn attitude. In the south­ern part of the zone, greater gains were made against a disorganized enemy. In the zone of the 9th Infantry Division, opposition was en­countered from self-propelled guns and tanks supported by infantry, with the enemy using villages and towns as strong points. In the 99th Infantry Division zone, bitter house-to-house fighting took place in HONNINCEN (F7014), but elsewhere only small groups were encountered in towns and in isolated strong points.

The 99th Infantry Division attacked to the south, and both the 393d and 394th Infantry
Regiments moved up rapidly, advancing 2000 and 3000 yards respectively. The 393d In­fantry Regiment on its left secured the high ground immediately west of the WEID RIVER, while on its right it seized SOLSCHEID (F7613). Elements of the 394th Infantry Regiment were engaged in house-to-house fighting in HONNINGEN until mid-afternoon. Other elements drove south to take hills at (F753135) and (F716119). The 18th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was attached to the 99th Infantry Division in an­ticipation of a further movement south.

Due to the success of the attack in the zone, and the desire to secure the commanding ter­rain along the general line SOLSCHEID (F7613) ROCKENFELD (F75H)-HAMMER-STEIN (F7209), permission was requested for that objective. It was also suggested to First US Army that it would be desirable to secure the high ground in the vicinity of RAHMS (F7721). First US Army approved, and on the following day, 18 March, instructions were issued which called for a limited objective at­tack to the south.
The 9th Infantry Division advanced from 1000 to 2000 yards to the east, cutting the autobahn at (F732372). STRODT was cap­tured, but the high ground to its east, although frequently assaulted, was only partially occu­pied. VETTELSCHOSS (F7224) was cleared during the night. As there was evidence of a pending counterattack in that vicinity, it was requested by the division that the 52d Ar­mored Infantry Battalion remain under con­trol of the 9th Infantry Division until the situation cleared up. Permission was granted. The enemy attempted to destroy the bridges with two as yet unused devices: Four swimmer saboteurs towing explosives tried to reach the bridges but were either killed or captured; and "V Bombs" made their appearance, six falling in the vicinity of the bridges. The 32d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron continued its mission of protecting the bridges.

Disaster overtook the sorely abused railway bridge at approximately 1500, when, with no warning, it buckled and collapsed, carrying with it a number of engineer troops who had been making repairs in an attempt to put it back in operation.

In the morning, Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, was directed to assemble in the general area OHLENBERG (F6721)-OCKENFELS (F6720)-LINZ (F6718) (exclusive)-DATTENBERG (F6817), and to revert to the control of the 9th Armored Division effective 172400 March. The 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, plus the tank platoons which had been attached to the 78th Infantry Division, returned to the control of the 9th Armored Division during the day. The 52d Armored Infantry Battalion was ordered to re­vert to the 9th Armored Division as soon as operational conditions permitted. The 9th Armored Division was instructed to prepare plans for the employment of Combat Com­mand B in any sector of III Corps zone east of the RHINE.

Ill Corps Artillery supported corps oper­ations by a heavy counterbattery program, long-range interdiction and harassing fires, and heavy close support fires upon call of the divisions. On this day, Major General James A. Van Fleet assumed command of III Corps.

From 18 March to 22 March, all divisions within the bridgehead attacked to the east and regrouped their forces for the anticipated break-through to come. By this time the auto­bahn was cut, thus denying the enemy its use. The bridgehead had been expanded to a point where it no longer was considered a bridge­head operation, and a large-scale break­through was in the making.

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Of the many highly significant and critical operations which the European Theater pro­duced after the Allied landings on the Nor­mandy Beaches, the seizure by the 9th Armored Division (commanded by Major Gen­eral John W. Leonard) of the LUDENDORF BRIDGE ranks second to none. Climaxing a swift advance across the COLOGNE PLAIN, the capture of the bridge had a profound in­fluence on the conduct of the war east of the RHINE, and may be said to be one of the greatest single contributing factors to the subsequent early successes of the Allied Forces. By its surprise crossing of the RHINE, that great water barrier, the First US Army secured a foothold on the eastern bank of the RHINE which not only drew enemy troops from the front of Ninth US Army, but served as a springboard for the attack on the heart­land of Germany. It undoubtedly made the crossing by the Third Army easier, and con­tributed to the success of Montgomery's drive to the north. Consequently, this one incident not only overshadowed other First Army activities, but dictated the course of its opera­tions subsequent to 7 March. Prior to that date, units of the First US Army had advanced rapidly across the COLOGNE PLAIN, initially expecting to drive east to the RHINE, and then later to turn south and effect a junction with the Third US Army. This latter plan was upset by the capture of the bridge, and the second phase of the operations-the slow struggle to secure and expand a bridgehead-was begun.

The main problem at this time, therefore, was the establishment and expansion of a bridgehead. It would have been desirable to commit a complete infantry division in the bridgehead, but no such division was available, and the situation permitted no delay in moving troops across the river. Consequently, units were ordered across as rapidly as they could be disengaged; and by 9 March, a total of 17 battalions of infantry, with supporting weapons, had been moved to the far side. First US Army and III Corps Artillery was emplaced to support the battalions in this mission, while artillery from V and VII Corps also fired in support of the bridgehead operations.

There are no figures available on the amount of traffic which poured over the rail­road bridge initially; but during the 12-day period, 16-28 March, a total of 58,262 vehicles crossed over all three pontoon bridges, or an average of 4,855 per day.1 The tremendous amounts of traffic funneling over one road into the bridge area, especially during the ini­tial stage of the operation when enemy artil­lery was interdicting the bridge, approaches, and roads, were bound to cause a certain amount of congestion despite the most rigid traffic control. Initially the 9th Armored Di­vision controlled traffic, and later the 14th Cavalry Group was used. A corps traffic headquarters was established at REMAGEN, which regulated the flow of vehicles over the bridges as the direction of traffic, weight of vehicles, or condition of the bridges warranted; and because road discipline was initially poor, a traffic control post was established at GELSDORF, nine miles west of REMAGEN. Here traffic was halted and proper distance between vehicles established. Five other con­trol posts insured the maintenance of that distance, and not only congestion but also casualties resulting from interdicting fire were greatly reduced.

Two other problems, closely related, de­manded immediate and continuous attention: (1) the security of the bridge and (2) the need for supplementary bridges and means of trans­port across the river. It was known that the enemy would employ every means available to attempt to destroy the bridge, and the steps taken to frustrate his efforts have been called the most thorough and complete of their kind ever established. Within a few days time, a total of nine antiaircraft automatic weapons battalions and four antiaircraft gun battalions were emplaced for protection of the bridge site—one of the greatest, if not the greatest, concentration of antiaircraft artillery ever assembled in so small an area. Barrage balloons were brought in, and continuous air cover was flown over the bridge. Contact, log, and net booms were constructed across the river to intercept water-borne objects; depth charges were dropped at an average of 12 per hour each night to discourage under­water swimmers and submarines; radar was employed to detect underwater craft; river patrols were maintained; shore patrols were on the alert 24 hours per day; at night, power­ful lights illuminated the surface of the river while high velocity guns were trained on all objects floating downstream; coordination was effected between adjacent corps, who were assisted by river and shore patrols. That these precautions proved their worth is evidenced by the failure of the many enemy air attacks to destroy the bridges and by the failure of enemy saboteur swimmers to accomplish their missions. When the railroad bridge finally collapsed, it had already served its primary purpose, and had survived the most desperate attempts to destroy it.

The construction of the treadway bridge— the first tactical bridge to be thrown across the RHINE since Napoleon's day—was begun two days after the seizure of the railroad bridge, while the bridge site was under heavy and continuous artillery fire and air attack. DUKWs, LCVPs, and ferries were used to augment the bridges; and before the LUDENDORF BRIDGE collapsed, both the heavy pontoon and treadway bridges were in opera­tion, so that the loss did not affect troop or supply movements.

For the first 18 days, the expansion of the bridgehead was relatively slow, with advances made on foot and measured in terms of yards and feet. It has been said that no poorer place could have been selected for a crossing; the mountainous country not only restricted the use of armor, but it was extremely difficult for the infantry to assault. The rugged, for­ested hills gave the enemy good observation, and formed a natural fortress which he used skillfully. Although his forces were weak ini­tially, the arrival of several divisions, begin­ning with the 11th Panzer Division on 9 March, enabled him to conduct an aggressive defense in which numerous and determined counterattacks played a large part. (It is in­teresting to note that it was the intention of the 11th Panzer Division to cross the RHINE at BONN and attack south on the west of the river.) It was not until many days of hard fighting had driven the enemy across the auto­bahn that the 3d, 7th, and 9th Armored Di­visions were able to break through to make the spectacular advances of the last days of the month.
NOTE: Caesar made his first RHINE cross­ing in 55 B.C. in the vicinity of ANDERNACH. Two thousand years later, in 1945, the American crossing was made 12 miles north of the Roman bridge site.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

After Action Report, CCB, 9th Armored Di­vision, March 1945.
After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945.
After Action Report, III Corps, March 1945.
After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945.
After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945.
After Action Report, 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945.
After Action Report, 89th Cavalry Reconnais­sance Battalion, March 1945.
After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945.
After Action Report, 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion, March 1945.
After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945.
After Action Report, 9th Armored Engineer Battalion, March 1945.
After Action Report, 14th Tank Battalion, March 1945.
Interview with Lt Col James D. Allgood, CO, 1st Battalion, 47th Infantry, on 2 May 1945.
Interview with Capt Daniel Duncan, Acting CO, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 10-18 March 1945, on 3 May 1945.
Interview with Lt Col Leonard E. Engeman, CO, 14th Tank Battalion.
Interview with Maj N. J. Hennen, S-3, 60th Infantry, 9th Division, on 12 April 1945.
Interview with Maj R. L. Inzer, Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry, on 4 May 1945.
Interview with 1st Lt Wm. J. Mooney, Assist­ant S-3, 39th Infantry Regiment, on 24 March 1945.
Report of Operations, First US Army, 23 February-8 May 1945.
Statement of Lt John Grimball, 1st Platoon, Company A, 14th Tank Battalion.
Statement of Maj Cecil E. Roberts, S-3, 14th Tank Battalion.
Statement of Maj Gen John W. Leonard, Commanding General, 9th Armored Di­vision.

APPENDIXES

APPENDIX I. DETAILED UNIT DISPOSITIONS

'''7 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION
(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

(See Seizure of the Bridge, section I.) Companies A and C cleared ERPEL (F647207) while Company B dug in on the high ground north of the bridge at (F654205).[1]

'''8 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORKD DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The 27th Armored Infantry Battalion as­sisted the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion in clearing UNKEL (K634224) of the enemy, and then went into reserve in UNKEL.[2]

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The 52d Armored Infantry Battalion crossed the RHINE at 0330, cleared UNKEL (F63422-1) of scattered unorganized small Ger­man units, and occupied positions on the high ground north and east of town.[3]

14th Tank Battalion[3]

Company A crossed the RHINE at 0015 and set up road blocks. The rest of the battalion crossed at 0715. Attachments were made as follows:

Platoon of Company A with a platoon of Company B to 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry, attacking L1NZ (F6718).

Company C to 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry. Platoon of Company D to the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion.

Troop C, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissanve Bat­talion[4]

Crossed the RHINE at 0700 and moved to ERPEL. The troop was attached to the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion and placed in re­serve.

Company C, 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion (1st Platoon)[5]

Crossed the RHINE at 0600 and set up road blocks.

1st Platoon crossed at 1300 and set up a road block.

Company B, 9th Armored Engineer Battalion[6]

Guarded tunnel. Repaired the LUDENDORF BRIDGE and its approaches.

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Louis A. Craig)

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion crossed the RHINE shortly after 0930 and proceeded directly to ORSBERG (F653217), where one company relieved the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion. The remainder of the battalion then con­tinued on and occupied positions north of BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226).[7]

The 2d Battalion crossed the RHINE at 0515, cleaned ORSBERC (F6532I7), and cap­tured BRCHHAUSEN (FB58226) late in the afternoon. The battalion repulsed two strong counterattacks before dark.[8]

[1]Interview willi Lt Col Engeman, CO, 14lh Tank Battalion.
[2]After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[3]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 3.
[4]After Action Report, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion.
[5]After Action Report, 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
[6]After Aetion Report, 9th Armored Engineer Battalion.
[7]Intervlew with Ll Col James D. Allgood. CO. 1st Battalion, 47th Infantry, 2 may 1945.
[8]Interview with Capt Daniel Duncan, Acting CO, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 10-18 March 1945, on 3 May 1945.

The 3d Battalion crossed in the afternoon and went into an assembly area in ERPEL (FO472O7). At 1930, the battalion moved out to attack OHLENBERG (F677212). By marching all night over trails and cross-country, the unit arrived at its objective just at daylight on 9 March.[1]

60th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion became attached to the 9th Armored Division at 1130, and crossed the REMAGEN BRIDGE at 1410.

The 2d and 3d Battalions of the regiment became attached to the 7th Armored Division at the same time, remaining west of the RHINE during the day.[2]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker) 310th Infantry Regiment

1st Battalion

The 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry (at­tached to Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, crossed the RHINE on the night of 7-8 March and went into attack on the morning of 8 March. KASBACH (F664204), OCKENFELS (F673200), and part of LINZ (F678187) were captured during the day against negli­gible resistance.[3]

311th Infantry Regiment

The 311th Infantry Regiment crossed the RHINE after the 47th Infantry and went into an assembly area in the vicinity of RHEIN-BREITBACH (F642244), preparatory to at­tacking north and east the following day.[3]

'''9 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion continued in bridgehead re­serve in UNKEL (F634224).[4]

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion marched to KASBACH (F664204) to fill the gap between the 2d and 3d Battalions of the 47th Infantry in the vi­cinity of that town.[5]

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Louis A. Craig)

The Commanding General, 9th Infantry Di­vision, assumed command of the bridgehead at 0235 after establishing his command post in ERPEL (F647207).[6]

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked (at 0400) to the northeast to seize RJ 659235 just north of ST MARIENBERG (F657231). The attacking company reached the edge of the woods at 0600. At 0610, it ran into a two-battalion counterattack which cut off the company until dark. The rest of the battalion held its posi­tions north and west of BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226).[7]

The 2d Battalion attacked to the northeast on the morning of 9 March, but, hitting the same counterattack that struck the 1st Bat­talion, it withdrew to BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226), where hand-to-hand fighting was necessary to repulse the enemy.[8] The 3d Battalion attacked OHLENBERG (F677212) at dawn against light resistance, clearing the town by 0730.[9] At 1230 the battalion con­tinued its attack to take the road net in the vicinity of OBERERL (F687216) and the few houses in the town. The battalion reached the approaches to the town, where it was pinned down by 20-mm, machine-gun, and tank fire.

[1]Interview with Maj R. L. Inzer, Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry, on 4 May 1945.
[2]Interview with Maj N. J. Hennen, S-3, 60th Infantry, 9th Division, on 12 April 1945.
[3]After Action Report. Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, March 1945, page 10.
[4]After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[5]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 4.
[6]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 8.
[7]Interview with Lt Col James D. Allgood, CO, 1st Battalion, 47th Infantry, on 2 May 1945. [8]Interview with Capt Daniel Duncan, Acting CO, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 10-18 March 1945, on 3 May 1945.
[9]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, for 9 March 1945 states that the resistance in OHLENBERC (F677212) was determined and heavy. When this information was mentioned to Maj Inzer, he questioned Capt Frazier, the company commander of Company L, and 1st Lt Ernest Smith, the executive officer of ompany I, who both corroborated Maj Inzer's statement, which is given above.

Upon orders from regiment, the unit held its positions on the open slopes south­west of town during the night, suffering nu­merous casualties in the process.[1]

60th Infantry Regiment

The 60th Infantry (-1st Battalion) crossed the RHINE at 0600 and went into an assembly area east of the RHINE at LINZ (F678187).1 The 1st Battalion attacked through light ground resistance and heavy to medium ar­tillery fire at (F692199), where the battalion was stopped by a well-defended enemy strong point.[1]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

309th Infantry Regiment

The 309th Infantry closed in its assembly area east of the RHINE at 1525.[2]

The 1st Battalion relieved the 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Division, in BRUCH-HAUSEN (F65S226) during the night of 9-10 March.[3]

The 2d Battalion attacked east on the right (south) of the 1st Battalion and reached the high ground in the vicinity of (F667225) be­yond BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226). Heavy mortar and artillery fire caused the battalion to pull back into the town.[2]

The 3d Battalion assembled in the vicinity of (F646224) after crossing the RHINE.[2]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion cleared LINZ (F678187) of isolated pockets of resistance and then went into defensive positions in the vicinity of (F682195).2 311th Infantry Regiment
The 1st Battalion attacked HONNEF (F640275) and encountered extremely heavy resistance from a determined enemy who defended his positions with automatic weapons, small arms, and mortar fire employed in well-disposed strong points. At sunset the bat­talion consolidated the positions after cap­turing the south half of the city. The defense of HONNEF on this day was the most deter­mined and skillful that had been encountered up to that time.[4]

The 2d Battalion attacked to clean out the area south of RHEINBREITBACH (F643244) and east of SCHEUREN (F637232). This mission was accomplished against weak re­sistance, and the battalion was relieved by elements of the 309th Infantry, at which time the 2d Battalion, 311th Infantry, became the regimental reserve.

The 3d Battalion attacked to seize RHEIN­BREITBACH (F643244) and SCHEUREN (F637232). The resistance in these two towns was very light, and by 1430 both towns had been secured.[4]

'''10 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry battalion

The 27th Armored Infantry Battalion moved from UNKEL (F634224) to DATTENBERG (F686174) and relieved the 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry.[5]

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

At 0925, the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion was attached to the 2d Battalion, 310th In­fantry, 78th Division. The battalion attacked at 1230 to take HILL 448 (F690234). Again the battalion encountered heavy artillery con­centrations but little ground resistance. The objective was reached during the middle of the night, but due to disorganization, con­fusion, and lack of communications, the bat­talion withdrew to the line of departure.[6]

[1] Interview with Maj N. J. Hennen, S-3, 60th Infantry, 9tll Division, on 12 April 1945.
[2]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, pages 11, 12.
[3]Interview with Capt Daniel Duncan, Acting CO, 2d Battalion, 47th infantry, 10-18 March 1945, on 3 May 1945.
[4]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 12.
[5]After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[6]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 4.

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION (Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The 39th Infantry crossed the RHINE and closed into assembly areas east of the river at 1825.[l]
The 1st Battalion went into an assembly area in the vicinity of BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226).[1]
The 2d Battalion went into an assembly area in the vicinity of SCHEUREN (F637232).[1]
The 3d Battalion went into an assembly area in the vicinity of SCHEUREN (F637232).[1]

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion repulsed a strong coun­terattack in the morning which, however, dis­organized the battalion sufficiently to delay its attack. At 1910, the battalion jumped off and advanced to (F678223) by 2335, where it was ordered to halt for the night.[2]

The 2d Battalion remained in position at (F672203) as regimental and sector reserve.

The 3d Battalion received a strong counter­attack and was driven back to (F678213), where it finally stopped the enemy thrust.[2]

60th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion captured the strong point of (F698204) and reorganized preparatory to continuing the attack.[2]

The 2d Battalion successfully attacked an enemy strong point at (F698204) and con­tinued its advance to (F700206).

The 3d Battalion jumped off at 0800 from east of LINZ (F678187) to capture the high ground in the vicinity of (F706197). Although unexpected resistance was encountered in the vicinity of RONIG (F7018), the battalion ad­vanced slowly to its objective, which was taken by nightfall.[2]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

309th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion advanced against strong opposition consisting oF small-arms, self-pro­pelled gun, mortar, and artillery fire to its two objectives at (F663233) and (F664244).[2]

The 2d Battalion pushed to the high ground northeast of BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226), suffering heavy casualties from mortar and artillery fire in taking the objective. A strong counterattack supported by well-directed self-propelled gun fire caused the crippled battalion to withdraw to the vicinity of (F673227).[3]

The 3d Battalion occupied positions (as regi­mental reserve) in the vicinity of (F646224), which closed the gap in the lines.[3]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked DATTENBERG (F686174) and overcame severe resistance from heavy machine-gun and 20-mm AA gun fire to capture the town by early afternoon. At 1435, the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion, which moved to the vicinity of (F685176).[4][5]

The 2d Battalion crossed the RHINE, clos­ing in an assembly area in the vicinity of OHLENBERG (F677212) at 0600. A strong enemy counterattack caused the battalion to displace to a defensive position to the south­west which could be tied in with the 47th Infantry.[4]

The 3d Battalion crossed the RHINE during the morning, assembling in LINZ (F678187). At 1335, the battalion attacked east and, overcoming medium resistance, secured the high ground northeast of OHLENBERG (F677212).[4]

[1]Interview with 1st Lt Wm. J. Mooney, Assistant S-3, 39th Infantry Regiment, on 24 March 1945.
[2]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 8.
[3]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 12.
[4]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 13.
[5]After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.

311th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued its attack on strong points in the vicinity of HONNEF (F640275), encountering artillery and mortar fire. At 1855, a tank-infantry counterattack was repulsed, and by the end of the day re­maining enemy resistance was confined to the north end of town.[1]

The 2d Battalion moved to RHEINBREIT-BACH (F643244) and then to HONNEF (F640275) as regimental reserve.

The 3d Battalion attacked at 0830 to seize MENZENBERG (F653257). The town was taken by 1305, and the attack continued until the high ground at (F668262) and (F672260) had been taken.[2]

'''11 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The 27th Armored Infantry Battalion was relieved by the 2d and 3d Battalions of the 393d Infantry, 99th Division, at 0930, at which time the battalion returned to UNKEL (F634224), where it remained in reserve until 18 March 1945.3 52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion, which was still attached to the 310th Infantry, 78th Division, went into regimental reserve at (F688227). Com­pany C was employed astride the draw at (F662215) to prevent enemy infiltration toward KASBACH (F664204). *

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The 39th Infantry, less the 3d Battalion, was attached to the 78th Infantry Division for operations at 0900.[2]

The 1st Battalion moved from BRUCH-HAUSEN (F658226) at 1330 to continue the attack to the east with objectives at HIMBERG (F694281) and REDERSCHEID (F712264). The advance was slow, and the unit did not reach either objective during the period.[2][5]

The 2d Battalion moved from SCHEUREN (F637232) to drive east and relieve some of the pressure from the 1st Battalion. Gains were made, but the battalion was stopped due to darkness.5

The 3d Battalion remained in SCHEUREN (F637232).

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0830 toward the vicinity of (F701217). The battalion made slow progress against determined re­sistance and halted at 1730 in the vicinity of (F694209).[6]

The 2d Battalion attacked through Com­pany K at 1015, advancing to (F688222), where it was stopped by heavy small-arms, mortar, tank, and artillery fire.[6]

The 3d Battalion remained inactive except for Company K, which cleared the line of de­parture for the 2d Battalion and later cleared the group of houses at (F688218).[6]

60th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0300, cleared a by-passed factory at (F692199), and con­tinued on toward HARGARTEN (F713206).[7]

The 2d Battalion reorganized and then advanced 500 yards toward HARGARTEN
(F713206).[7]

[l]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 12.
[2]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 13.
[3]After Action Report, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[4]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 4.
[5]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 14.
[6]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 9.
[7]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 8.

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

The 78th Infantry Division assumed com­mand of the northern sector of the bridgehead at 0900, at which time the 309th and 311th Infantry Regiments reverted to 78th Division control. At 1100, the 39th Infantry, less the 3d Battalion, was attached to the division for operations.[1]

309th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked northeast of BRUCHHAUSEN (F65S226) at 0730 with the mission of cutting the COLOGNE-FRANK­FURT autobahn. The battalion, working with 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry, advanced 1500 yards.[1]

The 2d Battalion, in regimental reserve, re­mained in the vicinity of (F673227).[1]

The 3d Battalion, in conjunction with the 1st Battalion (see above), attacked to the north­east at 0730 and advanced 1500 yards.[1]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion reverted to control of the 9th Infantry Division at 1200 and moved to the vicinity of (F6602I3) with the mission of protecting the approaches to the bridge.[2]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0735 to take the hill at (F690234) and the rock quarry at (F693227). The battalion was stopped short of its objective by heavy small-arms and artillery fire."
The 3d Battalion continued to organize its position (F691228).[3]

311th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion repulsed two counter­attacks consisting of tanks and infantry during the day. Both attacks, one at 0650, the other at 0945, were aimed at retaking HONNEF (F640275).[1]

The 2d Battalion coordinated the defense of HONNEF.[1]

The 3d Battalion actively patrolled to (F676266).[1]

99TH INFANTRY DIVISION (Major General Walter E. Lauer)

The 99th Infantry Division completed cross­ing the RHINE and assumed command of the southern sector of the bridgehead at 1400.4 393d Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion relieved the 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, in the vicinity of (F708187). The battalion repulsed two counterattacks and advanced 300 yards northeast toward the high ground east of HARGARTEN (F713206).[4]

The 2d Battalion, echeloned to the left rear of the 1st Battalion, coordinated its attack with the 1st Battalion.[4]

The 3d Battalion remained in reserve in its assembly area.[4]

394th Infantry Regiment

The 394th Infantry Regiment closed in its assembly area east of the RHINE at 0730 and was attached to the 9th Infantry Division from 0730 to 1400, 11 March 1945.[4]

The 1st Battalion, with the 2d Battalion, attacked south along the east bank of the RHINE at 0830. The two battalions advanced 3000 yards, securing the towns of LEUBS-DORF (F685166) and ARIENDORF (F688148).[4]

2d Battalion (see 1st Battalion account above).[4]

The 3d Battalion was in reserve, following the 1st and 2d Battalions.[4]

395th Infantry Regiment

The 395th Infantry Regiment closed in assembly areas east of the RHINE at 1800 at which time the regiment was attached to the 9th Infantry Division as bridgehead reserve.[4]

[1]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 13.
[2]After Action Report, 9th lnfantry Division, March 1945, page 9.
[3]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 14.
[4]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 8.

The 1st Battalion went into an assembly area in the vicinity of OHLENBERG (FC77212).[1]

The 2d Battalion went into an assembly area in the vicinity of RHEINBREITBACH
(F643244).[1]

The 3d Battalion went into an assembly area in the vicinity of BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226).[1]

'''12 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion continued in reserve in UNKEL (F634224).

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion continued in reserve in the vicinity of (F688227).[2]

60th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion crossed the RHINE, closing at UNKEL (F634224)3 at 2315, when it was attached to the 311th Infantry.

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked east at 0630 with the 2d Battalion to take the high ground west of KALENBORN (F706247). The rugged ter­rain and determined defense made the going very slow and prevented the battalions from reaching their objectives.[4]

2d Battalion (see 1st Battalion account above).[4]

The 3d Battalion remained in reserve in SCHEUREN (F637232).

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0630 toward its objective at (F705236) against medium to heavy resistance and advanced to (F703219), where it was stopped by an enemy strong point.[1]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0530 toward an objective in the vicinity of (F708217). Rough terrain and heavy mortar and artillery fire caused the battalion to halt short of its objective.[1]

The 3d Battalion remained in defensive positions in the vicinity of (F678213).

60th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked through the 3d Battalion at 1940 and advanced slowly to (F702202).[1]

The 2d Battalion continued to advance slowly and reached the high ground north and west of HARGARTEN (F713206) at the end of the day.[1]

The 3d Battalion passed through Company B and advanced to within 75 yards of HAR­GARTEN (F713206). At this point, the battal­ion encountered heavy fire from infantry and tanks and was forced to fall back to the line of departure, where it reorganized and renewed the attack, taking the road junction at (F721205) before being passed through by the 1st Battalion.[1]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION (Major General Edwin P. Parker)

309th Infantry Regiment

The regiment supported the attack of the 39th Infantry and protected the division right flank.4
The 1st Battalion cleared up pockets of re­sistance within the regimental sector.[4]

The 2d Battalion remained in regimental reserve in the vicinity of (F673227).[4]

The 3d Battalion continued its attack, ad­vancing 500 yards to protect the division right (south) flank.[4]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion was detached from the 9th Infantry Division and reverted to division control at 1200.

[1]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 9.
[2]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 4.
[3]After Action Report, 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[4]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 14.

It was then attached to the 3Uth Infantry. The battalion then moved to the vicinity of HONNEF (F640275).[1]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0645 to take the high ground in the vicinity of (F690240). The battalion pushed through heavy resist­ance to its objective but received a tank-infantry counterattack which pushed it back to (F6S0235).[2]

The 3d Battalion remained in its defensive positions in the vicinity of (F691228).[3]

311th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued mopping up HONNEF (F640275).[1]

The 2d Battalion continued clearing HON­NEF (F&40275).[1]

The 3d Battalion reorganized and patrolled to the northeast.[1]

99TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Walter E. Lauer)

393d Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued to spearhead the regimental attack, advancing 3000 yards to secure GINSTERHAHN (F723196) and ROTHEKREUZ (F723184). At 1735, an enemy counterattack toward ROTHEKREUZ was initially successful. However, the battalion, assisted by the 2d Battalion, repulsed the attack and retook the town.[4]

The 2d Battalion, echeloned to the left rear, continued to coordinate its attack with that of the 1st Battalion. The battalion advanced about 3000 yards against light resistance and assisted the 1st Battalion in regaining ROTHE­KREUZ (F7231S4) after the German coun­terattack.[4]

The 3d Battalion remained in reserve, displacing to (F692194).

394th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion reverted to regimental reserve, remaining in LEUBSDORF
(F685166).[4]

The 2d Battalion, maintaining contact with the 393d Infantry on the north, advanced 3000 yards to the southeast to (F716157) and (F721172).[4]

The 3d Battalion attacked at 0630, ad­vancing approximately 3000 yards and secur­ing its objectives north of HONNINGEN (F700127). The battalion reached (F694137) and (F702145) by the end of the day.[4]

395th Infantry Regiment

The 395th Infantry remained in bridgehead reserve in its previous locations, passing to III Corps control at 1800.[4]

'''13 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION (Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion continued in reserve in UNKEL (F634224).

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion, which was still attached to the 310th Infantry, 78th Division, attacked at 0545 with the mission of capturing KRETHAUS (F700244). While the objective was not attained, the battalion did take the high ground southwest of KRETHAUS during the day.[5]

60th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion moved to RHEINBREIT-BACH (F643244) and then to HONNEF (F640275) with the mission of assisting in se­curing the town.[3][6]

[1]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 14.
[2]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 10.
[3]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 15.
[4]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 9.
[5]After Action Report. 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 5.
[6]After Action Report. 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION (Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The regiment received orders from the 78th Division to continue the attack, seize KALENBORN (F706247), and swing north to secure REDERSCHEID (F712264).[1]

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0615 with the 2d Battalion on the right. Together the two units gained the high ground just north and west of KALENBORN (F706247).[2]

The 2d Battalion (see 1st Battalion account above).[2]

The 3d Battalion attacked at 1200 around the right flank of the 1st Battalion in an effort to outflank the defenses of KALENBORN (F706247). The attack was stopped just outside the town.[2]

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0800 toward NOTSCHEID (F717225) against strong small-arms and mortar fire. The battalion advanced slowly and cut the road at (F714229).[3]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0800 toward (F702235) against heavy rifle fire and machine-gun fire and advanced to (F708232), where the battalion dug in for the night.[3]

The 3d Battalion attacked east in the gap between the 47th and 60th Infantry Regiments and swept the rear area as far as (F687217).[3]

60th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion captured HARGARTEN (F713206) at 0400, after which the 2d Battalion passed through it and the 1st Battalion went into reserve.[3]

The 2d Battalion passed through the 1st Battalion and attacked toward ST KATHAR-INEN (F7221). The advance was stopped by tank fire and several small infantry counter­attacks but was resumed after dark and ST KATHARINEN was cleared by 2130.[3]

The 3d Battalion retook the road junction at (F722203), which had been lost in the counter­attacks during the day.[3]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

309th Infantry Regiment

The regiment was ordered to coordinate its attack with that of the 39th Infantry and to assist in securing a line which ran from south of KONIGSWINTER (F617307) through AGIDIENBERG (F694295) to ROTTB1TZE (F700275).[1]

The 1st Battalion attacked to the northeast at 1510 against severe small-arms and auto­matic weapons fire, advancing 500 yards be­fore digging in for the night.[1]

The 2d Battalion reorganized and assumed responsibility for the rear as the regiment advanced.[1]

The 3d Battalion attacked with the 1st Bat­talion, advancing 500 yards before stopping for the night.[1]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked to the northeast on the right of the 311th Infantry, and gained approximately 1000 yards.

The 2d Battalion continued to occupy and organize defensive positions at (F680235).[2]

The 3d Battalion continued to organize its positions at (F693227) on HILL 442.2 311th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued to clean out HONNEF (F640275).[1]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0630 (with the 3d Battalion) to the northeast in rough country against well-defended positions manned by a capable, alert enemy. The advance was slow; a counterattack was repulsed at 1120.[1]

The 3d Battalion (see 2d Battalion account above).[1]

[l]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 15.
[2]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 16.
[3]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 10.

99TH INFANTRY DIVISION (Major General Walter E. Lauer)

393d Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion advanced to a line from (F7241S8) to (F724172), which was organized for defense.[1]

The 2d Battalion went into reserve at (F700185).

The 3d Battalion was in reserve at (F692194) 394th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion was in reserve in the vi­cinity of LEUBSDORF (F6S4165).

The 2d Battalion organized its defensive positions at (F716157) and (F721172).[1]

The 3d Battalion organized its objectives of the preceding day at (F694137) and (F702145).[1]

395th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion remained in corps reserve until 1800, when it reverted to 99th Division control in place.[1]

The 2d Battalion was released from III Corps control at 1300, at which time the bat­talion occupied positions east of LINZ (F6718) in the vicinity of (F695192).[2]

The 3d Battalion was released from III Corps control at 1800 and reverted in place to the 99th Division.[2]

'''14 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion remained in reserve in UN-KEL (F634224).

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion continued its attack against a determined defense employing tank, infantry, and artillery weapons, and took KRETHAUS (F700244) west of the railroad tracks in conjunction with the 3d Battalion, 310th Infantry. At 1600, a strong tank-infantry coun­terattack was repulsed at (F699242).[3]

60th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion attacked north and east from a position east of HONNEF (F640275) at 0700, taking several hills and stopping 200 yards south of PERLENHARDT (F664307). Three counterattacks were repulsed during the day.[4]

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The regiment attacked with all three bat­talions at 0630 and was immediately brought under intense small-arms and self-propelled gun fire which stopped the attack at the line of departure. The attack was resumed at 1845 but again encountered the same bitter resist­ance, which held the regiment to negligible gains.5 47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued to attack to­ward NOTSCHEID (F717225) at 0SO0 against heavy resistance, and at 2400 was still short of its objective.[6]

The 2d Battalion attacked toward its objec­tive (F704237) at 1000. The battalion fought against heavy resistance to (F715234).[6]

The 3d Battalion remained in reserve at (F687217).

60th Infantry Regiment

The regiment encountered determined re­sistance along the whole front during the day.

The 1st Battalion attacked at 1200 toward NOTSCHEID (F717225) and at 2400 was still 400 yards short of its objective. [6]

[1]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 10.
[2]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 11.
[3]Aftet Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 5.
[4]After Action Report, 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 6.
[5]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 16.
[6]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 11.
[7]After Action Report. 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 10.

The 2d Battalion attacked at 2100 to take LORSCHEID (F728218). By midnight the battalion had gained the edge of the town.[1]

One company (L) of the 3d Battalion at­tacked to, and occupied, an objective in the vicinity of (F733209).[2]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

309th Infantry Regiment

The regiment fought against stiff resistance during the entire day. At times hand-to-hand fighting was necessary to drive the determined enemy from his positions.[3]

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0800 and at 1430 seized the road junction just outside of HIMBERG (F694281).[3]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 1430 through the 1st Battalion and seized the high ground south of AG1DIENBERG (F694295).[3]

The 3d Battalion attacked at 0800 and gained the road junction in the vicinity of ROTTBITZE (F700276) at dark.[3]

310th Infantnj Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued to attack north under the command of the 311th Infantry, making very little headway against a deter­mined enemy using tanks, machine guns, and mortars with good effect.[1]

The 2d Battalion followed the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion to (F699242), where the battalion organized a defensive position. At 1600, a strong infantry-tank counterattack was repulsed from this position.[1]

The 3d Battalion continued to occupy its defensive position at (F693227) and to patrol to the north.[3]

311th Infantry Regiment

The regiment attacked at 0700 against a progressively stiffening resistance. Rugged, densely wooded terrain also made the ad­vance slow and arduous. Four enemy counterattacks were launched from northeast of HONNEF (F640275), but aU were repulsed.[3]

99TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Walter E. Lauer)

393d Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued to occupy defensive positions from (F724188) to (F724172).[4]

The 2d Battalion occupied defensive posi­tions in the vicinity of GINSTERHAHN (F7219) until 1715, when the battalion came under III Corps control. The 2d Battalion then moved to (F712181) and relieved the 2d Battalion, 395th Infantry, at 2315.[4]

The 3d Battalion moved on to an assembly area in the vicinity of (F700185).[4]

394th Infantry Regiment

The regiment continued to occupy the de­fensive positions of fhe day before.[4]

395th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked from (F722193) toward the east, with the 3d Battalion on its right, at 0900. The battalion advanced over rugged terrain against light resistance.[4]

The 2d Battalion was released to division control at 1620 and immediately began the relief of the 2d Battalion, 393d Infantry.[4]

The 3d Battalion attacked with the 1st Battalion at 0900, gaining 1200 yards to the east. At 1355, the 3d Battalion repulsed a strong enemy tank-infantry counterattack.[4]

'''15 March 1945'''

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion remained in reserve in UN-KEL (F634224).

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

[l]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 11.
[2]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 10.
[3]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 16.
[4]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 11.

In conjunction with the 3d Battalion, 310th Infantry, the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion continued its attack on KRETHAUS, clearing the town by 1700 and continuing on to take he high ground southwest of KALENBORN (F706247) and the small woods at (F702243).[1]

60th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion attacked to the northeast on the right of the 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry. The battalion advanced against light resist­ance and captured MARGARENTHENHOF (F658310).[2]

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The regiment continued its attack to the east at 0630 with three battalions abreast, the 2d Battalion on the north, the 3d Battalion on the south, and the 1st Battalion in the cen­ter. Gains of up to 1000 yards were made, with the 2d Battalion capturing SCHWEIFELD (F705260).[3]

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued its attack on NOTSCHEID (F717225), clearing the town at 1800 jointly with the 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry, which entered the town from the south.[4]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0630 and ad­vanced against light resistance to its objectives at (F710238) and (F708243), which were oc­cupied by 1200.[4]

The 3d Battalion attacked at 1000 and advanced slowly to the edge of its objective at (F718238), where the assault company was pinned down. At the end of the period Com­pany L was maneuvering to outflank the resistance.

60th Infantry Regiment

The 1st battalion continued its attack on NOTSCHEID (F717225) at daybreak and with the 1st Battalion, 47th Infantry, cleared the town by 1800 and occupied the high ground to the east.

The 2d Battalion met heavy resistance on the edge of LORSCHEID (F728218), where a counterattack was initially successful in split­ting the battalion. However, the battalion continued the attack and cleared the town early in the afternoon.[4]

The 3d Battalion sent Company L with tanks and tank destroyers to occupy a position at (F743214). This mission was accomplished by noon.[4]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

309th Infantry Regiment

The regiment occupied the positions gained on 14 March, patrolled to the northeast, and covered the autobahn with observation and fire.[3]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion assembled in the vicinity of HIMBERG (F694281) with the 2d Battalion as division reserve.[3]

The 2d Battalion, reverting to the 78th Di­vision, was attached to the 311th Infantry and assembled in the vicinity of HIMBERG (F694281) with the 1st Battalion as division reserve.[4]

The 3d Battalion continued its attack with the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion under control of the 9th Infantry Division. During the day, the battalion seized the high ground southwest of KALENBORN (F706247) and secured the woods at (F702243).3-4 311th Infantry Regiment

The regiment continued its attack at 0630 with all three battalions in line: the 1st Bat­talion on the west, the 2d Battalion in the center, and the 3d Battalion on the east flank. The hilly, wooded terrain was the main obstacle to progress as the units advanced up to 2000 yards. Later in the afternoon, patrols entering KUCHUCKSTEIN (F642304) found the town undefended and immediately seized and secured the place.[1]

99TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Walter E. Lauer)

393d Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 1315 and se­cured the high ground in the vicinity of (F739163) and the town of REIDENBRUCH (F734168) against light resistance.[2]

The 2d Battalion reverted to division control at 1200 and moved to ROTHEKREUZ (F725180), closing in the assembly area at 1710.[3]

The 3d Battalion, which had the stiffest fighting of the day, attacked at 0500. Over­coming determined but spotty resistance, the battalion captured HESSLN (F733177) at 0920, HILL 330 (F735172) at 1320, and KRUM-SCHEID (F744180) at 1810, and was attacking GIRGENRATH (F742168) at 2400. A counter­attack of 100 infantry was repulsed at 1000 with heavy losses to the enemy.[2]

394th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 1330 and captured the high ground in the vicinity of (F712140) at 1900 against light resistance.[3]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 1330 and ad­vanced to the vicinity of (F732142) against light resistance.[3]

The 3d Battalion remained in reserve at (F696142).[3]

395th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued to attack against stubborn resistance. At 2400, the battalion was in the outskirts of STEINHARDT (F747203).[3]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0630 against heavy rocket and artillery fire and light ground resistance. The battalion captured an ob­jective in the vicinity of (F7419) and the town of HAHNEN (F739189) by 1040, and occupied an enemy strong point at (F732192) at 1615.[3]

The 3d Battalion was released from division control and became III Corps reserve at 1200, at which time the battalion occupied an as­sembly area at (F733182).[3]

1ST INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Clift Andrus)

26th Infantry Regiment

The regiment, with normal combat team attachments, closed in the bridgehead and moved north into the zone of the 78th Division.[4]

'''16 March 1945'''

On 16 March, the defense against the RE-MAGEN BRIDGEHEAD cracked wide open. Large gains were made along the entire front up to and beyond the bridgehead limits. By the end of the day, the sector was a front rather than a bridgehead—an army sector which one week later erupted, sending ar­mored columns north, east, and south to con­fuse and confound the last vestiges of the defenders of Fortress Europe. Thus, the ini­tiative and audacity of a two-battalion task force in seizing a bridge unlocked the door to the heartland of Germany.

9TH ARMORED DIVISION

(Major General John W. Leonard)

27th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion remained in reserve in UN-KEL (F623224).

52d Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion reverted to III Corps re­serve in KRETHAUS (F700224).[5]

[l]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 17.
[2]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 194S, page 11.
[3]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 12.
[4]After Action Report, III Corps, March 1945, page 39.
[5]After Action Report, 52d Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 5.

60th Armored Infantry Battalion

The battalion attacked to the northeast un­der the 311th Infantry, advancing to the out­skirts of ITTENBACH (F668313). The rough, wooded terrain slowed the battalion's advance more than the defense of the area.[1][2]

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION (Major General Louis A. Craig)

39th Infantry Regiment

The regiment reverted to the 9th Infantry Division at 0930.[3]

The 1st Battalion continued its attack to (F698255).[3][4]

The 2d Battalion continued its attack to (F710265).[3]

The 3d Battalion cleared KALENBORN (F706247) and at 2400 was fighting toward the crossroads at WILLSCHEID (F715250).[4]

47th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion continued attacking to the east, reaching (F728228) by the end of the day.[4]

The 2d Battalion attacked in the afternoon to seize a line of departure for the attack on VETTLESCHOSS (F725245) on the following day.[4]

The 3d Battalion occupied (F716238) at 1030."

80th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0300 against heavy resistance and captured STRODT (F735222) at 2400.[4]

The 2d Battalion occupied LORSCHEID (F728218).

The 3d Battalion continued to occupy de­fensive positions at (F740214) and (F734217) until relieved by the 9th Reconnaissance Troop at the end of the period.[4]

78TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Edwin P. Parker)

The division was released from III Corps and attached to VII Corps at 1200. Operational control of the 39th Infantry was terminated at 1200, and the regiment reverted to the 9th Infantry Division.

309th Infantry Regiment

During the day, the regiment secured 1500 yards of the autobahn and advanced up to 3500 yards.
The 1st Battalion attacked at 0845 to cut the autobahn. By 1415, the overpasses at (F697302) and (F692305) had been seized in­tact and by 2000, the town of BRUNGSBERG (F695309) had been secured.[3]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0730 against strong points in the towns and overwatching self-propelled guns and captured HOVEL (F693302) at 1015 andAGIDIENBERG (F694295) at 1715.[5]

The 3d Battalion continued to occupy defensive positions east of ROTTBITZE (F700275).[3]

310th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion remained in division re­serve in HIMBERG (F694281).

The 3d Battalion went into reserve at (F690234) and was attached to the 311th Infantry.[4]

311th Infantry Regiment

The regiment attacked at 0700 with all three battalions in the assault, advancing up to 2000 yards against light resistance and cap­turing most of KONIGSWINTER (F617307). Two counterattacks on KONIGSWINTER were repulsed during the day, one at 1800 and the other at 1920.[4]

[1]After Action Report, 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945. page 7.
[2]After Action Report, 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, March 1945, page 8.
[3]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 18.
[4]After Action Report, 9th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 12.
[5]After Action Report, 78th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 17.

99TH INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Walter E. Lauer)

393d Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0600, capturing WEISSFELD (F746155) at 1230. Resistance was very light during the day.[1]

The 2d Battalion remained in reserve at ROTHEKREUZ (F725188).

The 3d Battalion attacked against light re­sistance at 0010, capturing GIRGENRATH (F742168) at 0845, BREMSCHEID (F751171) at 0845, OVER (F7617) at 1605, STOPPERICH (F757167) at 1605, and FRORATH (F756185) at 1630. A counterattack at KRUMSCHEID (F744180) was repulsed at 0420.[1]

394th Infantry Regiment
The 1st Battalion attacked at 0900 and cap­tured part of HONNINGEN (F700127) after advancing 2000 yards.[1]

The 2d Battalion attacked against light re­sistance and seized the high ground in the vicinity of STANBRICK (F737128).[1]

The 3d Battalion remained in reserve at (F696142).

395th Infantry Regiment

The 1st Battalion attacked at 0540 against light small-arms fire, capturing STEIN-HARDT (F747204) at 0845 and advancing to (F750206) during the day.[2]

The 2d Battalion attacked at 0330 against light resistance, capturing HEEG (F749186) and REIFERT (F753187) at 0815 and con­tinuing to advance to (F754187).[2]

The 3d Battalion remained in III Corps reserve at (F733182).

1ST INFANTRY DIVISION

(Major General Clift Andrus)

The 1st Infantry Division continued to move into the bridgehead area, closing into an area east of HONNEF about 1300. Later in the day the 18th and 26th Infantry Regiments moved to more advanced locations, prepara­tory to launching an attack to the northeast through the 78th Infantry Division.[3]

[l]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 12.
[2]After Action Report, 99th Infantry Division, March 1945, page 13.
[3]Sitrep No. 564 (After Action Report, III Corps, March 1945).

APPENDIX II. ENEMY ORDER OF BATTLE

The period 6-9 March saw the complete elimination of enemy forces west of the RHINE in the III Corps zone. German with­drawal was in full swing on 6 March, and rapid advances were made that day against scattered delaying forces, not very eager to fight. On 7 March, enemy resistance on the south collapsed as American troops reached the AHR RIVER on the south flank, capturing bridges intact, and most important, capturing intact the railroad bridge over the RHINE RIVER at REMAGEN (F645200).
Enemy support for his infantry during this early phase in March was not impressive. Initially, artillery and mortar fire were fairly heavy, while tanks and self-propelled guns in small numbers contributed to the delaying action. Few reinforcements in men or mate­riel were received by the enemy; this policy was probably due to lack of reserves as well as to the desire to save replacement units for rebuilding the beaten divisions behind the RHINE barrier.

The crossing of the ROER RIVER on the entire III Corps front on 1 March brought identifications of all enemy units known to have been fighting between the ROER and the RHINE. While the 3d Parachute Division in the center had recently been reorganized, and its strength and morale were sufficient to cause it to offer stubborn resistance, the 272d Volksgrenadier Division on the south was caught in the process of a sketchy re­organization behind the ROER dams. The 353d Volksgrenadier Division, on the north flank of the 3d Parachute Division, had the 941st and 943d Grenadier Regiments in fairly good shape, but the 942d Grenadier Regiment had not been re-formed. The 62d Volksgren­adier Division remained in line against the V US Corps, on the south, until 6 March, when it too shifted north, and was contacted on III Corps front.

The 89th Grenadier Regiment of the 12th Volksgrenadier Division was identified on the III Corps north boundary the last two days of February. During the first few days of March, this division was pushed out of VII US Corps area into increasing contact on III Corps front.

The principal surprise in enemy identifica­tions west of the RHINE was the contact with the 39th and 78th Grenadier Regiments of the 26th Infantry Division on 5 March.

As the advance shifted slightly southeast in approaching the RHINE, elements of the 277th Volksgrenadier Division and the 89th Infantry Division, fighting on V Corps front, were identified.
The surprise crossing of the RHINE created a new situation from an order of battle stand­point. No enemy divisional units were in position on the east bank; hence the first 36 hours of the bridgehead saw commitment of miscellaneous engineer, antiaircraft, and re­placement units only. The 11th Panzer Di­vision arrived on 9 March and was committed against the bridgehead. This division had been fighting west of the river far to the north of III Corps, being withdrawn east of the river on about 5 March. It proceeded south with orders to recross the river at BONN and at­tack south; but arriving after the seizure of the LUDENDORF BRIDGE, it was, instead, committed against the bridgehead. The 106th Panzer Brigade accompanied the 11th Panzer Division, being on its south flank, in the middle of the bridgehead.

The next divisions to be committed against the bridgehead were identified on 13 March. On the south, the 272d Volksgrenadier Di­vision, which had suffered severely in the retreat across the RHINE, was reinforced by some salvaged elements of the 326th Volks­grenadier Division and by the 80th Replace­ment Battalion from COBLENZ (L9095), and was committed in defense of HONNINGEN (F700127). On its right flank, the 277th Volks-grenadier Division came in the same day, also in very bad condition from its retreat across the RHINE on the V Corps front. On the north, the 62d Volksgrenadier Division and 9th Panzer Division took over the defense of the HONNEF area (F640275) on the same day.

These reinforcements enabled the 11th Pan­zer Division to narrow its zone, and with the 106th Brigade and elements of the 130th Pan­zer Lehr Division attached, it remained the strongest division opposing the III Corps; especially as the division received 300 men from the Heidelberg NCO School 11 March, and 450 reinforcements from the 139th Moun­tain Replacement Battalion on 17 March.

On 14 March, the 340th Volksgrenadier Di­vision was identified on the southeast of the bridgehead. This division arrived in poor con­dition from the Third US Army front on the south, but it was to receive the largest group of replacements to arrive in this area—Den­mark Battalions I, II, and III, a regimental size unit from the 160th Training Division in Denmark. The Denmark units soon melted away, however, as did later arrivals from sev­eral replacement battalions from WEST­PHALIA.

Also on 14 March, the 3d Parachute Division came back on the III Corps north front, this time without General Schimph, who had been captured earlier in the month by the 9th US Infantry Division.
On 17 March, the 26th Volksgrenadier Di­vision, an old enemy from the ARDENNES and the ROER RIVER battles, arrived on the southern front, under General Kokott, an experienced straggler collector. This officer had partially filled out his command with remnants of the 277th Replacement Regiment of BONN and 253d Replacement Battalion of AACHEN, and elements of the 18th Volks­grenadier Division and the 89th Infantry Division.

A number of prisoners taken during the period were of special interest. General Schimph, commanding the 3d Parachute Di­vision, took the order literally to hold the west bank of the RHINE to the last; so did Lieu­tenant Colonel Martin of the 941st Grenadier Regiment, and Colonel Fromberger of the 78th Grenadier Regiment, 26th Infantry Division. An officer who was the publisher of 'The Skorpion," of German propaganda leaflets for the Wehrmacht, and of English-language propa­ganda leaflets for British and American con­sumption, was apprehended before he could get back across the RHINE, while two groups of trained saboteurs fell into our hands when five of a squad of seven highly-trained swim­mers were driven out of the RHINE before they could blow the REMAGEN BRIDGES.

APPENDIX III. COMMENTS OF GENERAL BAYERLEIN, commanding general, German LIII corps

The following story, told to American interrogators by General Leutenant Frity Bayerlein, depicts, to some extent, the state of mind of the German high command in the field during March 1945. The subject, Ceneral Bayerlein became an officer in 1922. He served with the panzers in the Polish Cam­paign (1939) and the French Campaign (1940), and was Rommel's Chief of Staff in the Afrika Corps in 1943. After commanding the 3d Pan­zer Division in Hussia for a brief period. General Bayerlein was ordered to France to organize, train, and command the Panzer Lehr Division-the unit especially equipped nnd trained to repulse the Allied invasion of France. After the seizure of the LUDEN-DORF BRIDGE over the RHINE by the 9th US Armored Division, General Bayerlein was designated the commander of the LHI Corps, a buttle group charged with the mission of throwing the American forces back across the RHINK.

The interrogation is especially interesting for three reasons: It is a partial chronicle of historical events, it indicates the German pre­occupation with our air corps, and it details by example the state of mind of the German officer corps when faced with certain defeat. The careful student will note the lack of pre­vision demonstrated by General Bayerlein in his location of his units. This interrogation took place one month after the events re­counted. At that time, the subject's recollec­tion of the events which transpired was most vague in contrast to his vivid remembrance of Personal danger or embarrassments.

While all but the most prejudiced will agree that Allied air power was a most important tactor in the final outcome of the war it is interesting to m,te the importance given to minor losses by German ground officers when he losses were caused by air power. For instance, the loss of 100 men in ground action was accepted as a normal thing, while 100 cas­ualties sustained (mm air bombardment was headlined as a crippling blow to the unit— a decisive factor in a subsequent defeat.

General Bayerlein gives an excellent example of the German professional officer's state of mind in the closing days of the war. While, from the German point of view, the war was irrevocably lost, Bayerlein continued to per­form his duty to the best of his ability while blaming his superior for poor decisions and making certain that no act of omission oc­curred which could justify his court-martial.

Comments of General Bayerlein to US in­terrogators:

On 1 March 1945, General Bayerlein, Com­manding General, German LIII Corps, was in his headquarters at RIIEINFELD (F3879). At this time, he received an order which Hitler sent to all units west of the RHINE stating that ". .. . no staff officers, under any circum­stances, will cross the RHINE"; the hope evidently being that the continued presence of high-ranking members of the German General Staff west of the RHINE would stimulate the waning resistance. Bayerlein stated that he was only too happy to comply, as it was clear to him that the defense of Germany was finished. On 3 March, it became even clearer when US tanks fired directly into his com­mand post at RHEINFELD , driving him and his staff practically to the river bank across from BENHAT. Such a situation seemed "the end oi the world " to Bayerlein, he said; but on the night of 3-4 March, he received direct orders from Army Headquarters to cross over, which he di.l in a small boat early on the morning of 5 March. "It seemed that Army Headquarters did not feel, as the Fuehrer did, that Germany had so many capable division and corps commanders she could sacrifice them for a gesture."

On 9 March, Bayerlein was ordered to OBERPLEIS (F676350) for a new assignment, and the situation at REMAGEN made it very clear to him just what it would be. Although there were no cohesive German units of any size defending against the bridgehead, ele­ments of the 11th and 9th Panzer Divisions were marching toward the threatened area. (The size of these units was limited by the gasoline supply rather than by the number of troops and vehicles available.) The com­mander of the "Defense of the RHINE" was an old man, one Kortzfleisch, of indeterminate rank and commanding an assortment of Hitler Jugend and Volksturm. Kortzfleisch was in jittering terror of being disgraced and shot should the RHINE be crossed in his sector. (General Bayerlein did not state the limits of Kortzfleisch's sector.)

Model arrived in person on 9 March and gave General Bayerlein his assignment, which was to take a battle group of the Panzer Lehr, and the 9th and 11th Panzer Divisions, and wipe out the bridgehead. He was given a day to study the situation and prepare a plan. (It should be noted that Model and Bayerlein were not particularly fond of each other. Shortly before the ARDENNES battle Bayer­lein had requested that his unit, the Panzer Lehr Division, be withdrawn from the front in order to permit it to reorganize, re-equip, and retrain. Model censured his division com­mander and told him to "reorganize in the line. That is what we did in Russia." Bayer­lein replied that if that is what had been done in Russia it apparently had not been too suc­cessful. From that time on relations between the two officers were rather strained.)

General Bayerlein's plan for the reduction of the REMAGEN bridgehead, which he pre­sented to Model, was to attack along the line OBERERL (F685217)-ERPEL (F647207) at dusk on 10 March with whatever troops were available at that time. During the night of 9-10 March, however, a few American tanks crossed and moved south to HONNINGEN (F700127), and the next morning Model re­fused to permit the attack through OBERERL. insisting that the threat to the south be met by an attack on LINZ (F678187).

(NOTE: This decision was most illogical as: (1) The tanks referred to were one platoon of the 14th Tank Battalion, which had been east of the river for a day and a half; (2) the main effort of the bridgehead was and had been north and east; and (3) the strategic objectives in the vicinity were the RUHR area in the north and the autobahn to the east. There was neither a logical objective nor good ma­neuver ground to the south. Furthermore, Model was a high-caliber officer and knew that his only chance of success was.to hit the bridgehead hard and early before the Ameri­cans had time to build up their forces east of the river. The only possible reasons for General Bayerlein's statement are that he was trying to put the blame for his failure on Model or else that Model was insane, as many people claimed.)

On 12 March, Model appeared at OBER­PLEIS (F67&350) with Marshal Kesselring, who stated that he was the new commander in the West over Model, who continued his same duties but under the direction of Kessel­ring. During the visit, Bayerlein explained his initial plan for destroying the bridgehead to Marshal Kesselring, who became furious that the plan had not been executed. Model, perhaps to justify his decision, complained that he was being furnished nothing in the way of troops and supplies. Inasmuch as the Ameri­cans had captured OBERERL by this time, the plan became unworkable and was dropped. Marshal Kesselring did order, however, that LEYBERG (HILL 359) (F668262) be retaken.

On the night of 12-13 March, Bayerlein moved his headquarters to ASBACH (F780297) in order to be more centrally located with respect to his sector. This move, like all moves of Bayerlein, was made at night to escape the American tactical aircraft. Bayerlein claimed that, between NORMANDY and the end of the war, he had lost the fighting strength of his division two and a half times from enemy air action alone. Furthermore, the omni­present threat of air strikes on any column so greatly restricted his freedom of movement that an active mobile defense was usually im­possible. The BEMAGEN operation was no exception to the general rule, although the rugged, heavily wooded terrain minimized the effectiveness of fighter-bombers on the battlefield proper. During the critical period of the bridgehead, however, there was a con­tinual drumming of the rear areas. On 10 March, the 130th Infantry Regiment, arriving from Denmark, was due to detrain at ALTEN-KIRCHEN (F935320). On the preceding day ALTENKIRCHEN had been destroyed to the point where the railroad station was unusable and the streets impassable. It was necessary for the regiment to detour north and south by way of BACHENBURG (F938342) (north) and NIDER WAMBACH (F901257) (south). Such situations were the usual thing and made time and space computations nearly impossi­ble, with the resultant piecemeal employment of units. On 13-14 March, FLAMMERSFELD (F854277) and the forest west of ALTEN­KIRCHEN (F935320) were heavily bombed. While the heavy 17-cm guns which were shell­ing the bridge at REMAGEN were located in these woods, no great damage resulted, which convinced Bayerlein that the Americans knew the general location of the guns but did not have them pin-pointed. On 16 March, how­ever, a trainload of gasoline, nearly the entire fuel reserve of the corps, was destroyed-a tragedy to the fuel-short unit. (In spite of the losses and inconveniences enumerated by Gen­eral Bayerlein, the REMAGEN operation ap­pears to have been almost exclusively a ground force show in the plodding infantry style. As the general had no Luftwaffe under his com­mand, it was an easy thing to place an undue amount of weight on factors affecting the operation which were beyond his control.)
In compliance with the orders of Marshal Kesselring, General Bayerlein attacked LEY-BERG (F668262) on 13 March and retook the objective. An attack on HONNEF (F640275) the same day, however, failed.
(NOTE: At 132400 March, the 1st Battalion, 309th Infantry, was reported 1500 yards east of LEYBERG with the 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry, on its north and the 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, on its south. It is extremely doubtful that three battalions from three dif­ferent regiments of two divisions would falsify their locations by 1500 yards. It is much more probable that General Bayerlein reported an untrue "mission accomplished" to the new commander of the West, trusting to the con­fusion rampant at the time to cover his false official report.)

A second plan to smash the bridgehead was now (13 March) planned, consisting of an at­tack by the newly arrived 130th Infantry Reg­iment through BRUCHHAUSEN (F658226) and ORSBERG (F652216). Once more Model stepped in and, accusing Bayerlein of "atomizations" of his forces, demanded that the available offensive forces be consolidated with the 340th Volksgrenadier Division under the command of General Tollsdorf ( . . . "who had established soine sort of a reputation for destroying tanks with panzerfausts."). Bayer­lein said that this division consisted of 200 men practically without arms and certainly without any heavy weapons or proper training under Tollsdorf, a grossly incompetent leader. Nevertheless, Bayerlein tinned over to Tolls­dorf the 1500 good troops in the available bat­talions and assigned them a sector in front of the autobahn. Bayerlein stated that upon the employment of his last striking force he be­came convinced, and reported, that no chance remained to eliminate the bridgehead.

(NOTE: Indicative of the mental status of the command in the West at this time is the example of an army commander correcting a corps commander in his employment of 1500 men. Here we see high commanders with a few troops at hand that the countermanding of orders becomes the rule. Although General Bayerlein stated that in his opinion, and in the opinion of other German General Staff officers, Model was insane at this time, there is cer­tainly no proof of this accusation in this case. Bayerlein planned an attack through the American assault forces, along the line BRUCHHAUSEN-ORSBERG to the river, with a three-battalion force totaling 1500 ef­fectives. On 13 March, there were five Ameri­can battalions in reserve within 2000 yards of BRUCHHAUSEN and ORSBERG. It appears that Bayerlein was merely trying to build up his own prestige by insinuating that his fore­doomed plan would have been a success had it not been precluded by his superior. The chronic cry from German corps commanders that Model was mad could be due to his in­tense and misdirected sense of duty or to the human failing of subordinates covering a de­feat by blaming a superior. Certainly, it is doubtful whether a disciplined officer of the mental ability of Model would become un­balanced because of a military defeat which he must have foreseen and which his training would indicate as being inevitable.)

On 16 March, Bayerlein received official notification through channels that Hitler had ordered the whole bridgehead area wiped out with V-2 bombs, regardless of the resultant harm to the local population. While this dras­tic defense was never employed, the knowl­edge of its possibility did not increase the German soldiers' will to resist on that par­ticular piece of ground. (NOTE: In its after ac­tion report for March 1945, III Corps reported six V-2 bombs landing in the bridgehead area. It is believed that General Bayerlein meant that while V-2 bombs were used in the opera­tion, no cold-blooded effort was made to wipe out all living things within the bridgehead. The order required a prohibitive number of bombs in the first place and probably could not have been obeyed even if the military com­manders had desired to do so.) The effective­ness of the defense was also impaired by the execution of five officers for dereliction of duty in failing to destroy the LUDENDORF BRIDGE-an event that made the whole offi­cer corps extremely conscious of the personal responsibility for failure. As a consequence the justification of acts and decisions became the paramount thought in most minds. Bayer­lein stated that when the American forces cut the autobahn on 16 March, he had concen­trated an especially strong defense at the northern edge of his sector so that this disaster at least could be debted to someone else. In addition, a bridge complex swept the command which caused officers of all grades to spend a disproportionate amount of time, energy, and explosives in blowing all sorts of bridges, even senselessly. In many instances, bridges were blown in rear areas by high-ranking offi­cers, thereby crippling the war effort but clearing the individual of responsibility for an unblown bridge.

The high command apparently concurred in Bayerlein's belief that the reduction of the bridgehead was impossible, as he was ordered on 18 March to pull out of the line and move north to the defense of the area east of COLOGNE (F4560) and BONN (F550370). The Americans, however, unleashed a drive to the east instead of to the north, so BAYER­LEIN was ordered south again with his battle group to defend ALTENKIRCHEN (F935320). The result of all this jockeying around was that he was unable to put up a strong defense anywhere, being too preoccupied with moving his troops to be able to fight them. As a con­sequence he retired to the nprth, and, facing south, extended his line to STEINBACH (FM065352), from which position he continued to retreat north until captured in the last days of the RUHR pocket.

APPENDIX IV. NAMES OF UNIT COMMANDERS, 7 March 1945

First United States Army - Lieutenant General Courtney H. Hodges
III Corps - Major General John Milliken
III Corps Artillery - Brigadier General Paul V. Kane
VII Corps - Major General J. Lawton Collins
9th Armored Division - Major General John W. Leonard
Combat Command A - Colonel Thomas L. Harrold
Combat Command B - Brigadier General William M. Hoge
Combat Command R - Colonel Walter Burnside
Division Artillery - Colonel Joseph W. West
2d Tank Battalion - Major Oliver W. Schantz
14th Tank Battalion - Lieutenant Colonel Leonard E. Engeman
19th Tank Battalion - Lieutenant Colonel Burton W. Karsteter
27th Armored Infantry Battalion - Major Murray Deevers
52d Armored Infantry Battalion - Lieutenant Colonel William R. Prince
60th Armored Infantry Battalion - Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth W. Collins
89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron - Lieutenant Colonel Caesar F. Fiore
9th Armored Engineer Battalion - Lieutenant Colonel Sears Y. Coker
656th Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP)(attached) - Lieutenant Colonel John C. Meador
482d Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (SP) (attached) - Lieutenant Colonel Vincent F. Lupinacci
7th Armored Division - Major General Robert W. Hasbrouck
1st Infantry Division - Major General Clift Andrus
2d Infantry Division - Major General Walter M. Robertson
9th Infantry Division - Major General Louis A. Craig
78th Infantry Division - Major General Edwin P. Parker
99th Infantry Division - Major General Walter E. Lauer

Recent Record

• Home
• Complete List by Subjects
• All World Wars Blog