A highly illustrated new 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 March 23, 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 March 24, the US 4th Armored Division under
Brig. Gen. William Hoge crossed the Rhine and began the exploitation
phase. By March 26, 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-color artwork, maps, and bird's-eye-views, this title details the
complete history of this dramatic campaign.
