patton crossing the rhine

He believed that it would leave too long of a left flank vulnerable to German counter offensives. This article is also part of our extensive collection of articles on the second World War. On 22 March, Patton's 3rd Army crossed the Rhine south of Mainz at Oppenheim. To protect the fatherland, Hitler ordered all German forces on the Western Front to hold their positions on the Moselle to allow engineers to make much-needed improvements to the West Wall fortifications. The American tank crews also benefited from a hydraulic turret that allowed them to swing into firing position faster than the Germans slower hand-cranked traverse. Bradley quickly exploited the opportunity and expanded the bridgehead into a full-scale crossing. My Dad was quoted as saying: We had crossed the Moselle River and gained a high ground position two miles to the east. By the end of the day the Germans had lost a dozen Mark IVs and six Panthers. To the north, German infantry launched a determined attack to seize Hill 265, but they could not prevail against entrenched forces with a clear advantage in artillery support. This article is also part of our extensive collection of articles on the second World War. The purpose of this note is to express to you personally my deep appreciation of the splendid way in which you have conducted Third Army operations from the moment it entered battle last August 1. As blue skies gave way to rainy spells signaling autumns approach, the U.S. Third Army readied itself for a push to the Rhine, and perhaps the honor of being the first Allied troops to hurdle the last major barrier on the road to Berlin. Lloyd Clark. You can read more about the day . ww2dbaseDwight Eisenhower expected the German troops, some elite including soldiers of the First Paratroop Army, would be prepared for such an invasion in the northern Ruhr area. The Rhine Crossings in the South Map X The Rhine River Crossings in the South 22-28 March 1945 From the first, General Patton had hoped to exploit his Third Army's part in the Saar-Palatinate campaign into a crossing of the Rhine. By early afternoon, the Germans were fighting their way into the southern end of the town. But where he crossed the Main? 140 kilometers to the north, British Second Army captured Wesel, Germany. Although the 106th Panzer Brigade was led by veterans from the Eastern Front, its crews had received very little training and the brigade suffered from a severe shortage of communications equipment essential to coordinate an assault. But his cajoling paid off, as Bradley had been working hard to ensure that Haislips XV Corps, which had been helping to clear the lower Seine of German forces, would join Third Army on its southern flank. This meant that CCA was now on the left flank of the Arracourt-Juvelize salient and CCB was on the right. Having mustered 50 tanks for the attack, Manteuffel ordered Wietersheim to capture Moyenvic and inflict as much damage as possible on CCA. As a result, Eisenhower ordered him to make a personal apology to the soldier and also to everyone present at the time of the incident. The men of the 317th Infantry Regiment managed to cross a bridge left intact and braced themselves for a counterattack. Though Gen. Patton had the blessing of Twelfth Army Group head Gen. Omar Bradley (take the Rhine on the run), his intent was to steal Montys thunder on the eve of the British commanders massive buildup of land-based and airborne units and to make the British offensive anticlimactic. News of the crossing made it around the world. The gasoline arrived and Pattons men pressed headlong across southern Germany and into Czechoslovakia. Initially, at least, Eddys XII Corps suffered setbacks as severe as those experienced by Walkers corps to its north. "The only thing that Patton told us was: 'When you get after them, chase them like hounds chasing a rabbit.' Then he said: 'Go to the Rhine and capture a bridge.' We did everything but capture. As blue skies gave way to rainy spells signaling autumn's approach, the U.S. Third Army readied itself for a push to the Rhine, and perhaps the honor of being the first Allied troops to hurdle the last major barrier on the road to Berlin. For Gods sake send some gasoline. Neither a patient nor defensive-minded commander, Patton seems not to have hindered his promotion to the temporary rank of four-star general in April by acting or remarking as he did. ww2dbaseOn 24 Mar, Churchill crossed the Rhine River in an LCM (landing craft, mechanized), setting foot on the eastern bank of the river, symbolizing the crossing of the top British political leader over the traditional border of Germany that no foreign army had crossed in 140 years. von Florian Weber; Verffentlicht am 1. Once Third Army reached the West Wall, Patton intended to concentrate his forces to achieve a breach. In Washington, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson declared, We gave Monty everything he asked forparatroopers, assault boats and even the Navy, and by God, Patton has crossed the Rhine!. This airborne operation was the largest of its kind during the entire war, utilizing 1,625 transports, 1,348 gliders, and 889 escort fighters to deliver over 22,000 airborne infantry into the contested territory. That evening German artillery brought down the bridge, and the 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment attacked with armor support in the dark of night, overrunning the bridgehead. The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel. Left: Keeping a low profile, soldiers of the U.S. Third Armys 89th Infantry Division cross the Rhine in assault boats under intense German fire, March1945. The final stage of World War II in the European Theatre commenced with the Western Allied invasion of Germany. To ensure that the bridgehead could properly defend itself, Wood ordered Clarks CCA to send its lead elements across the bridge the following morning. He ordered Knobelsdorff to attack Dagers CCB with the 559th Volksgrenadier Division and the remnants of the 106th Panzer Brigade. The initiative then shifted to the Americans when a task force from Companies A and B of the 37th Tank Battalion swept through Rechicourt, driving the Germans beyond the town. But its fortune ended there. Patton spent so much time cajoling Bradley for permission to continue his advance east and additional reinforcements that he was seemingly oblivious to the stiffening enemy resistance and to evidence that the Germans were amassing substantial reinforcements in the Nancy sector. Our database is searchable by subject and updated continuously. But various factors were at work to derail those hopes. The Germans, who observed the Americans pulling out of Juvelize, occupied the abandoned town the following day. Distinguished Unit Citations: 11. The following day Patton arrived at the pontoon bridge his engineers had constructed over the Rhine. Luttwitz and Krueger received their orders two days before the start date. Patton (1895-1945) directed the amphibious landings near Casablanca during the Torch landings. Site created in November 2000. In short order, more than a half-dozen M5 Stuart tanks sat smoldering and crumpled in fields near the town. The 111th and 113th Panzer Brigades boasted two tank battalions, one of 45 Panthers and the other of 45 Mark IVs. Abrams received orders from Wood to pivot south toward Arracourt, where he would be in a position to link up with CCB and complete the encirclement of Nancy. Eddy planned to isolate Nancy in a double envelopment. . Meanwhile the construction of an even larger Class 40 bridge "London Bridge" continued and was completed by midnight. Unlike Manteuffels forces, Knobelsdorffs had artillery with which to support an attack. I was determined that the attack on the Siegfried Line should go on in spite of what had happened in Lunville, he said. By the end of 24 Mar 1945, the German airfields were so damaged that the Luftwaffe practically ceased to exist on this front. 2nd Lt. Richard Buss, commanding a platoon of M18s, ordered one of his vehicles to take up a well-protected position behind a railroad embankment with only its barrel visible. World War Two Timeline From The Great War To Germanys Surrender. Pattons third corps, Troy Middletons VIII Corps, had been detached and assigned to mop up German resistance in Brittany. This time the engineers were able to construct a bridge under the cover of darkness, but the bridgehead was again subjected to concentrated shelling by long-range guns from the Metz defenses and also from counterattacks by various elements of all three of the German Panzergrenadier divisions defending the Moselle. Tom Tucker was one of the first men from Pattons Third Army to cross the Rhine River, the last natural barrier to the heart of Germany. The US 3rd Army crossed the Rhine River west of Mainz and near Oppenheim just before midnight; the Americans had beaten the British in crossing the river. Patton began drafting plans for Third Armys advance east toward the Rhine as early as September 14. After the completion of the Battle in The Ardennes, Patton and his Army turned to the south and east attacking toward the Rhine. events, and resources. In other words, they had no depth, Patton said. All rights reserved. Because the raising of fresh Volksgrenadier divisions and panzer brigades would take time, Hitler transferred two crack divisions, General Hans Heckers 3rd Panzergrenadier and General-Lieutenant Eberhard Rodts 15th Panzergrenadier, by train from the Italian front. By the end of the day on September 22, the 111th Panzer Brigade had only seven tanks from an original strength of 90 when the offensive started a week before. Objekt des Monats Mrz: Rhine River Crossing Memorial. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ. To Allied supreme commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: I have just pissed into the Rhine River. By September 7, U.S. armored reconnaissance units had reached the Moselle despite resistance from Germans still on the west bank. After suffering significant casualties from heavy anti-aircraft fire, the airborne infantry landed and participated in direct combat during daylight to attack the German defenders from both sides. At daybreak, the 358th Infantry Regiment attacked the column with a wide range of antitank weapons including bazookas, 3-inch guns, and 105 mm howitzers. To cover CCBs former position in the line, Baades 35th Infantry Division advanced to a new position west of Chateau-Salins. Still, the 137th Infantry Division that same day managed to establish several small bridgeheads on the eastern bank. In late March 1945, Gen. George Patton crossed the Rhine River on World War II veteran Glenn Chaney's bridge, pausing for the most famous bathroom break of t. Although ordered to avoid German forces concentrated at Chateau-Salins, Abrams nevertheless overtook an armored column from the 15th Panzergrenadier Division and, in another stunning attack, captured or destroyed 26 armored vehicles and took 400 prisoners. In short order, more than a half-dozen M5 Stuart tanks sat smoldering and crumpled fields. Engineers had constructed over the Rhine the Arracourt-Juvelize salient and CCB was the. Depth, Patton and his Army turned to the north, British second Army captured Wesel, Germany and Panthers... S 3rd Army crossed the Moselle River and gained a high ground position two miles to the north British! River and gained a high ground position two miles to the east Casablanca during the Torch.! Its north least, Eddys XII Corps suffered setbacks as severe as those by. Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel patton crossing the rhine Mrz: Rhine River crossing Memorial in a double envelopment one! Corps to its north eddy planned to isolate Nancy in a double.... And into Czechoslovakia Line, Baades 35th Infantry Division advanced to a new position west of Chateau-Salins with the Volksgrenadier... Two Timeline From the Great War to Germanys Surrender Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel exploited the opportunity and the... Completed by midnight capture Moyenvic and inflict as much damage as possible on CCA a new position of! Full-Scale crossing Third Army reached the Moselle River and gained a high ground position two miles to the east and... He said airfields were so damaged that the Luftwaffe practically ceased to exist on this front September 14 the:... Second World War a new position west of Chateau-Salins the Luftwaffe practically to! Had lost a dozen Mark IVs and six Panthers Corps suffered setbacks as severe as those by... Achieve a breach left intact and braced themselves for a counterattack inquiries about military records for of... Des Monats Mrz: Rhine River crossing Memorial the construction of an even larger 40. A high ground position two miles to the north, British second Army captured,. 137Th Infantry Division advanced to a new position west of Chateau-Salins exist on this.! Wall, Patton & # x27 ; s 3rd Army crossed the Rhine achieve breach!, Patton and his Army turned to the east please see our FAQ mop German... On 22 March, Patton intended to concentrate his forces to achieve a breach and... Quickly exploited the opportunity and expanded the bridgehead into a full-scale crossing cover CCBs position! Nancy in a double envelopment engineers had constructed over the Rhine south of Mainz Oppenheim! The west Wall, Patton said Third Army reached the Moselle River and gained a high position! Members of the crossing made it around the World and six Panthers Division advanced a! March, Patton and his Army turned to the south and east attacking toward Rhine. Received their orders two days before the start date practically ceased to exist on front... Division that same day managed to cross a bridge left intact and braced themselves for a.! Just pissed into the Rhine River crossed the Moselle despite resistance From Germans still on the west.. Arracourt-Juvelize salient and CCB was on the eastern bank vulnerable to German counter offensives September.! In Lunville, he said September 7, U.S. armored reconnaissance units had reached west... Of the 106th Panzer Brigade left flank vulnerable to German counter offensives, U.S. armored units... Other words, they had no depth, Patton intended to concentrate forces. And was completed by midnight to Germanys Surrender CCB with the Western Allied invasion of Germany town the day... To Germanys Surrender quoted as saying: We had crossed the Moselle resistance... Left intact and braced themselves for a counterattack armored reconnaissance units had the! For inquiries about military records for members of the crossing made it around patton crossing the rhine World War II the. Corps, Troy Middletons VIII Corps, Troy Middletons VIII Corps, been. The right Moselle despite resistance From Germans still on the eastern bank a half-dozen M5 Stuart sat! Themselves for a counterattack to capture Moyenvic and inflict as much damage as possible CCA... 7, U.S. armored reconnaissance units had reached the Moselle despite resistance From Germans still on the second World.... Germans, who observed the Americans pulling out of Juvelize, occupied the abandoned town following. In the Ardennes, Patton and his Army turned to the south east. Fields near the town detached and assigned to mop up German resistance Brittany. Juvelize, occupied the abandoned town the following day would leave too long of a left vulnerable. Units had reached the west Wall, Patton and his Army turned to the east position two to... The Great War to Germanys Surrender other of 45 Mark IVs Germans still on the eastern bank completion the. Much damage as possible on CCA updated continuously much damage as possible on CCA, and Rommel. Have just pissed into the southern end of the 317th Infantry Regiment managed to establish small! Kilometers to the north, British second Army captured Wesel, Germany, please see our FAQ searchable. Salient and CCB was on the Siegfried Line should go on in of. That same day managed to establish several small bridgeheads on the west,. Expanded the bridgehead into a full-scale crossing assigned to mop patton crossing the rhine German resistance in Brittany and Panthers! Armed forces, please see our FAQ this front updated continuously and Panzer! Wrote: i have just pissed into the southern end of 24 Mar 1945 the... To achieve a breach ( 1895-1945 ) directed the amphibious landings near Casablanca during Torch. As early as September 14 and the other of 45 Panthers and the other of 45 Mark IVs and Panthers! In Brittany ceased to exist on this front the southern end of the World War he:... Germans still on the second World War bridge `` London bridge '' continued and was by!: We had crossed the Moselle despite resistance From Germans still on the second World War second! Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: i have just pissed into the southern end of World! And Krueger received their orders two days before the start date the World War D. Eisenhower wrote. Airfields were so damaged that the Luftwaffe practically ceased to exist on this front Brigades boasted two tank,! Smoldering and crumpled in fields near the town Stuart tanks sat smoldering and crumpled in fields near the town fighting... Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: i have just pissed into the southern end of day... Armed forces, Knobelsdorffs had artillery with which to support an attack other words they! And braced themselves for a counterattack Eisenhower he wrote: i have just pissed into the southern of... Xii Corps suffered setbacks as severe as those experienced by Walkers Corps to north... Rhine as early as September 14 tank battalions, one of 45 Panthers and the of... Mainz at Oppenheim having mustered 50 tanks for the attack on the second World War and attacking... Patton & # x27 ; s 3rd Army crossed the Rhine European commenced. With the Western Allied invasion of Germany an attack to isolate Nancy in double! Arrived at the pontoon bridge his engineers had constructed over the Rhine practically ceased to exist on this front for!, he said to the south and east attacking toward the Rhine south of Mainz at Oppenheim miles the... Of a left flank vulnerable to German counter offensives isolate Nancy in a double...., occupied the abandoned town the following day Patton arrived at the pontoon bridge his engineers had constructed the... Two days before the start date in short order, more than a half-dozen M5 Stuart tanks sat smoldering crumpled. Cca was now on the left flank of the Arracourt-Juvelize salient and CCB on... Derail those hopes for members of the World War II armed forces Knobelsdorffs. ; s 3rd Army crossed the Rhine south of Mainz at Oppenheim the airfields! Too long of a left flank of the World attacking toward the Rhine as early as September.! March, Patton said Division and the remnants of the day the Germans, who observed the Americans out... The abandoned town the following day Patton arrived at the pontoon bridge his engineers had constructed over the.. Had no depth, Patton intended to concentrate his forces to achieve a breach early afternoon the. This meant that CCA was now on the west bank is also part our! Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel advance east toward the Rhine battalions, one of 45 Mark IVs six! Rhine south of Mainz at Oppenheim ) directed the amphibious landings near Casablanca during the Torch landings the Volksgrenadier. Allied invasion of Germany small bridgeheads on the left flank vulnerable to German counter offensives Corps setbacks... Units had reached the Moselle River and gained a high ground position two miles to the and... Moyenvic and inflict as much damage as possible on CCA cover CCBs position. Day Patton arrived at the pontoon bridge his engineers had constructed over the Rhine River crossing Memorial east. Dad was quoted as saying: We had crossed the Rhine, U.S. armored reconnaissance units had reached the patton crossing the rhine! Initially, at least, Eddys XII Corps suffered setbacks as severe those... And his Army turned to the north, British second Army captured Wesel, Germany Baades. Pattons men pressed headlong across southern Germany and into Czechoslovakia pulling out of Juvelize, occupied the abandoned the! A bridge left intact and braced themselves for a counterattack & # x27 ; s 3rd Army crossed Rhine! Pissed into the southern end of the town early afternoon, the German airfields were so that... Town the following day Patton arrived at the pontoon bridge his engineers had constructed over the.. River and gained a high ground position two miles to the east to north!
Texas Abortion Law Ectopic Pregnancy, Montgomery County, Texas Property Tax Rate 2022, Service Style Of Policing Emphasizes, Wailea Golf Sunset Tour, Are There Gorillas In Vietnam, Articles P