Nierstein and Oppenheim 1945

Patton Bounces the Rhine

Nierstein and Oppenheim 1945 cover

Description

A highly illustrated updated study of Patton's daring attempt to bounce the river Rhine in March 1945.

In January 1945, the collapse of the German front along the Siegfried Line led to a large-scale dissolution of German combat forces and capability. Pressed hard by Allied forces advancing eastward, German units often found themselves trapped west of the Rhine River. With his eye on history, US Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. was determined to be the first leader since Napoleon to make an assault crossing of the Rhine. The most logical crossing-place was at Mainz, as it served as a major railroad logistical link from west to east. However, Patton was aware that this would be obvious to the Germans, and therefore he and his staff made rapid plans for another site at Nierstein and Oppenheim, about 12 miles south of Mainz.

The crossing began at 2230 hours on 23 March, when the first boats carrying 11th Infantry Regiment troops left the western bank of the Rhine. They met with little opposition; despite a few sharp counterattacks, overall resistance was light and American forces suffered few casualties. By 24 March, the US 4th Armoured Division under Brig. Gen. William Hoge crossed the Rhine and began the exploitation phase. By 26 March, the exploitation to the Main River was clearly a rout, exacerbated by additional crossings of the Rhine by other Allied units over the next few days.

Illustrated throughout with stunning full-colour artwork, maps, and bird's-eye-views, this title details the complete history of this dramatic campaign.

Table of Contents

Origins of the campaign
Chronology


Opposing Commanders
Opposing Forces
Opposing Plans
The Campaign

Aftermath
The Battlefield Today

Further reading
Index

Product details

Published Jun 25 2020
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472840387
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 350
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Russ Rodgers

Russ Rodgers is a military historian and former ad…

Illustrator

Darren Tan

Born and raised in Malaysia, Darren Tan grew up dr…

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