Across the Rhine! (m1919a4)

On this day in history in 1945 elements of the U.S. Army began to flow across the recently captured Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine. American forces unexpectedly captured the still standing (but badly damaged) bridge after defending German forces failed to destroy it. The bridge stood for 10 days after its capture, and it and the surrounding area was subjected to artillery barrages, V-2 rocket attacks, aerial bombardment, Nazi “Frogmen”, and conventional ground attack. The bridge helped deliver six divisions of Soldiers and equipment across the river, and likely helped shorten the war, with victory in Europe being declared only two months later.

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