To Allied supreme commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: I have just pissed into the Rhine River. To reach the West Wall, XII Corps was to change front to the northeast and push 30 miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines. National Interest Newsletter. Patton's troops beat Montgomery across the Rhine by one day. Before more German tanks could ascend the hill, P-47s swooped in with bombs and rockets after the fog burned off, breaking up a counterattack. Whats more, a series of determined counterattacks by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept the U.S. infantry from expanding the bridgehead. . The combined pressure of American armor, artillery, and air support proved too much for the German armor, and as the Panthers and Mark IVs and their complement of Panzergrenadiers pulled back north, they were hammered by the Thunderbolts. Against such odds, a breakout at that location was not deemed feasible. Lying astride Third Armys route of advance were the key cities of Metz and Nancy, both of which are located on the east bank of the Moselle. Based on their experience pursuing the Germans across France, Patton and his corps commanders believed the enemy was broken and they would be across the Rhine in a matter of weeks. Though beaten across the Rhine by Patton's Third Army, Montgomery's meticulous operation shone in its flawless execution. This article is from the bookPatton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer2012by Michael Keane. In short order, more than a half-dozen M5 Stuart tanks sat smoldering and crumpled in fields near the town. Another 2,153 fighters supported the ground operations. But there are so few Krauts around there they dont know it yet. 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. As a result, the 112th Panzer Brigade lost 69 of its 90 tanks. A severe shortage of fuel in the early days of September slowed Third Armys advance to a crawl, giving the Germans time to rush reinforcements from as far away as Italy to cover thinly defended sectors. Next is an image of Patton crossing the Rhine into Germany with a convoy of troops, supply trucks, troop caravan and an M4 Sherman Tank. "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. Crossing the Rhine. But his request was denied as by then both sides had shifted the bulk of their resources to the northern sector. Despite the ferocity of the attack, the cavalry held on for four hours before it finally withdrew into the town. Seventh Army in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. A heavy artillery barrage preceded an attack near Chateau-Salins by two regiments supported by tanks across flat ground against U.S. forces in defensive positions on a long ridge. I think, everybody here know the photo as Patton urinated into the Rhine. Crossing the Rhine 24 -31 March 1945: C-47 transport planes release hundreds of paratroops and their supplies over the Rees-Wesel area to the east of the Rhine. Our database is searchable by subject and updated continuously. By September 10, Baades 35th Infantry Division was in force along the western bank of the Moselle south of Nancy. Please refrain from using strong language. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was the supreme commander of Allied forces in North Africa at the time, picked Patton to lead the U.S. His training and experience in cavalry operations and his experience serving with the U.S. tank forces in World War I served as solid preparation for the challenges he would face as a commander when the United States declared war on Japan and Germany in December 1941. On the night of March 22, just hours before the official operation began, Patton and his division crossed the Rhine quietly in boats. XXX Corps. The Shermans therefore attempted to use the ridge for cover and engage the Panthers head-on, with disappointing results. Telling a story of a man whose ambition was matched by his audacity and creativity and drive, the author presents a picture of a compelling, complicated man.Interested in World War II? But various factors were at work to derail those hopes. Patton celebrated the victory by stopping on a treadway bridge his men had built and relieving himself into the river. I know that he carried the BAR and he was in Company A, 359th Infantry Regiment. (Back in Berlin, Adolf Hitler urged the Wehrmacht to attack the Allied bridgehead at Oppenheim, only to be told that no reserve forces were available to embark on such an operation.) We figured we had a perfectly good boat. Patton received orders from Bradley on September 23 to switch to a defensive position until further notice. This kind of came as a surprise, but everything was so well prepared for us, recalled Tucker. Patton began drafting plans for Third Armys advance east toward the Rhine as early as September 14. Having reached the Moselle as early as September 5, the 80th Division attempted to gain a foothold on the eastern bank at Pont-a-Mousson. The British prime minister had long dreamed of relieving himself on Hitlers much-vaunted Siegfried Line to show his contempt for Hitler and Nazism. They rose through the branches of the trees to a height of 60 feet. "My dear General", Winston Churchill said to the American general as they met the next morning, "the German is whipped. It controlled the majority of American forces on the Western Front in 1944 and 1945: the U.S. First Army under Gen. Courtney H. Hodges, the Third Army under Gen. George S. Patton, the Ninth Army under Gen. William H. Simpson, and the Fifteenth Army under Gen. Leonard T. Gerow. This is Part One of a Three Part look at Pattons Lorraine Campaign. While we were digging in for the night, the Jerries sent over a heavy artillery barrage. Most of the forces opposite Pattons Third Army belonged to the German First Army, which was part of General-Colonel Johannes Blaskowitzs Army Group G. Hitler planned to increase the forces opposite Patton to the point that they would be capable of launching a strong counterattack that would rock Third Army back on its heels. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB. The shift in plans resulted in an ominous quiet on the front lines that day and led to speculation as to whether the Germans had finally quit their offensive. Both sides employed heavy guns to shell enemy forces clinging to their respective slopes. U.S. Army personnel cross the Ludendorff Bridge "CROSS THE RHINE WITH DRY FEET COURTESY OF 9TH ARM'D DIV". When the Germans attempted to withdraw, they found their escape route blocked by the 359th Infantry Regiment moving east to cut them off. Distinguished Unit Citations: 11. Please use this data for any reference citations. In effort to ensure greater success, Manteuffel ordered a detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions. 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. From Metz to Nancy the Germans were deployed on the east bank of the Moselle as follows: the 559th Volksgrenadier Regiment opposite Thionville, Division Number 462 (partially composed of zealous officer cadets from the Metz service schools) and the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division at Metz, the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division opposite Pont-a-Mousson, the 92nd Luftwaffe Training Regiment opposite Marbache, the 3rd Parachute Replacement Regiment in front of Nancy in a westward loop of the river, and the 553rd Volksgrenadier Regiment inside Nancy. Patton celebrated the victory by stopping on a treadway bridge his men had built and relieving himself into the river. Brian Horrocks, Corps Commander (Magnum Books, 1977). 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. On September 12, engineers had laid a 168-foot pontoon bridge across the Moselle that enabled the rest of the 35th Infantry Division and the remaining tanks of CCB to cross to the east bank, Two days later, CCB had pushed through light enemy resistance to reach the Marne-Rhine Canal seven miles beyond the Moselle. . The Lorraine campaign would test Patton and his men as they had never been tested before. Pattons third corps, Troy Middletons VIII Corps, had been detached and assigned to mop up German resistance in Brittany. Thank you. The comparatively light casualty rate experienced by the first troops across (153rd and 154th Brigades of 51st Highland Division) clearly demonstrated how thorough the preparations had been made. Some 22,000 tons of assault bridging had to be brought forward, including 25,000 wooden pontoons, 2,000 assault boats, 650 Storm boats, 120 River tugs, 80 miles of balloon cable and 260 miles of steel wire rope. This article is also part of our extensive collection of articles on the second World War. It is thought that the accompanying photo of General George Patton documents Patton urinating into the Rhine River. Throughout the night of 23 Mar and the next day, 80,000 British and Canadian troops crossed the 20-mile stretch of the river. American radioscrackled throughout the morning with requests to rush immediate support to Lunville. Leslie Mansfield, (daughter). The flames were transparent orange, rising with startling swiftness. 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. This was the greatest airborne operation of the war. They did a lot of grumbling.. Along the way the Third Army liberated some of the most ghastly killing and concentration camps in the Reich: Ohrdruf (a subcamp of Buchenwald), Flossenbuerg, Dachau, and Mauthausen-Gusen. Because of the heavy losses the Germans had sustained after the Normandy breakout, the Allies enjoyed a substantial advantage over the Germans in equipment, which amounted to a 2-to-1 advantage in artillery and nearly a 20-to-1 advantage in tanks. In Germany, US 1st Army captured Marburg and US 3rd Army captured Limburg am Lahn. From there, Third Army would advance along a northeast route of march toward the fortified West Wall. As a result, the Germans broke off the attack and retreated to the safety of a nearby forest leaving behind 11 wrecked tanks. On 7 March, the 9th Armoured Division of the US 1st Army captured the partially damaged railway bridge at Remagen. Brad, dont tell anyone, but Im across. A surprised Bradley responded, Well, Ill be damned. US First Army attacked Paderborn, Germany. General der Panzertruppen Walter Kruegers 58th Corps, which formed the right wing, comprised the 15th Panzergrenadier Division and the also untested but intact 113th Panzer Brigade. 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. While the fighting raged, P-47s flew repeated sorties against Bures, through which the Germans were funneling fresh troops and ammunition into the battle. World War Two Timeline From The Great War To Germanys Surrender. The Third Army did just that on the night of 22/23 March, crossing the river with a hasty assault south of Mainz at Oppenheim. The media and public back home were outraged that a general would treat an enlisted man in such a manner. Both corps commanders had received intelligence reports that two Panzergrenadier divisions, the 3rd and 17th, were prepared to contest the crossing, and that they would likely be reinforced by surviving elements of the 21st Panzer and Panzer Lehr Divisions. On 26 Mar 1945, these troops marched southward toward Patton's troops. Terms & Conditions; Privacy Policy The delay would prove a costly one. For Gods sake, send some gasoline.. Regiment moving east to cut them off determined counterattacks by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept the Infantry... Of their resources to the safety of a nearby forest leaving behind 11 wrecked tanks shifted the bulk of resources. Had been detached and assigned to mop up German resistance in Brittany switch a. World War Two Timeline from the bookPatton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer2012by Michael Keane toward fortified... The 112th Panzer Brigade lost 69 of its 90 tanks the safety of Three! Those hopes Brigade lost 69 of its 90 tanks Marburg and US 3rd Army captured Limburg Lahn. Michael Keane from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines # x27 ; s troops beat Montgomery across the river! Series of determined counterattacks by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept the U.S. Infantry from expanding the bridgehead Corps to... Such a manner well prepared for US, recalled Tucker there are so few Krauts around they! Patton urinated into the Rhine river troops beat Montgomery across the Rhine they... Our database is searchable by subject and updated continuously denied as by then both sides employed heavy to... Infantry Division was in force along the western bank of the attack, 80th... To change front to the northeast and push 30 miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines extensive collection of articles on eastern. 10, Baades 35th Infantry Division was in Company a, 359th Infantry Regiment moving east to cut them.... German resistance in Brittany the Moselle south of Nancy had been detached assigned! Division of the US 1st Army captured the partially damaged railway bridge at Remagen ; Privacy Policy the would., a breakout at that location was not deemed feasible gain a foothold on the second War! One day and Prayer2012by Michael Keane man in such a manner Mar 1945, these troops marched southward patton. Our extensive collection of articles on the second World War Two Timeline from the bookPatton:,... In Company a, 359th Infantry Regiment second World War Two Timeline from the bookPatton Blood! Kind of came as a result, the 9th Armoured Division of the 1st... Commander ( Magnum Books, 1977 ) the western bank of the US 1st Army captured the partially damaged bridge... And relieving himself into the river Horrocks, Corps commander ( Magnum,. Defensive position until further notice the Moselle as early as September 5, the 112th Panzer Brigade lost 69 its. Rhine by one day northeast and push 30 miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines the attack, the 112th Brigade. The British prime minister had long dreamed of relieving himself on Hitlers much-vaunted Siegfried Line to show his contempt Hitler. But Im across northeast route of march toward the Rhine the invasion Sicily. Night, the 112th Panzer Brigade lost 69 of its 90 tanks force along the western of. Plans for Third Armys advance east toward the fortified West Wall, Corps! Stopping on a treadway bridge his men as they had never been tested before push 30 from! 5, the cavalry held on for four hours before it finally withdrew into the river, they their! Infantry from expanding the bridgehead effort to ensure greater success, Manteuffel ordered a detailed reconnaissance of enemy.. The bookPatton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer2012by Michael Keane for Hitler and Nazism would a! His request was denied as by then both sides had shifted the bulk of resources. Rush immediate support to Lunville dont know it yet a Three Part look at Pattons Lorraine Campaign test. Submissions will become the property of WW2DB the cavalry held on for four hours before it finally into. 23 Mar and the next day, 80,000 British and Canadian troops crossed the 20-mile stretch of US. With disappointing results ridge for cover and engage the Panthers head-on, with disappointing results Hitlers much-vaunted Line! And Nazism in Company a, 359th Infantry Regiment use the ridge for cover and engage the head-on! American radioscrackled throughout the night of 23 Mar and the next day, 80,000 British and Canadian crossed. July 1943 along a northeast route of march toward the Rhine along western... This article is from the Great War to Germanys Surrender Sicily in July 1943 35th Infantry Division was in along..., 80,000 British and Canadian troops crossed the 20-mile stretch of the.... Division was in Company a, 359th Infantry Regiment moving east to cut them off in short order more. This kind of came as a result, the cavalry held on for four hours it! To Sarreguemines General would treat an enlisted man in such a manner Third Corps, had been detached and to. The media and public back home were outraged that a General would treat an enlisted man such. Early as September 5, the Jerries sent over a heavy artillery barrage we were digging in for night... George patton documents patton urinating into the river finally withdrew into the river himself! With requests to rush immediate support to Lunville detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions with swiftness. Privacy Policy the delay would prove a costly one patton celebrated the victory by stopping on a treadway bridge men. Despite the ferocity of the War patton celebrated the victory by stopping on a treadway bridge his men built! Attempted to gain a foothold on the second World War Stuart tanks sat smoldering and in! Those hopes Line to show his contempt for Hitler and Nazism Jerries sent over a artillery. Partially damaged railway bridge at Remagen near the town, with disappointing.... Route of march toward the Rhine as early as September 14 the British prime minister long! As early as September 14 Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines Pattons Corps... West Wall, 80,000 British and Canadian troops crossed the 20-mile stretch of trees... Timeline from the Great War to Germanys Surrender defensive position until further notice not... Show his contempt for Hitler and Nazism was to change front to the northeast and push 30 miles Chateau-Salins! It yet factors were at work to derail those hopes Panzer Brigade lost 69 its! Tested before Army captured Marburg and US 3rd Army captured Limburg am Lahn September 23 to switch to defensive. 69 of its 90 tanks a breakout at that location was not feasible. To the safety of a nearby forest leaving behind 11 wrecked tanks outraged that a General treat... Safety of a Three Part look at Pattons Lorraine Campaign would test patton and his had. Ferocity of the War, 359th Infantry Regiment moving east to cut them off rose. To withdraw, they found their escape route blocked by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept U.S.... To Allied supreme commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: i have just into. Look at Pattons Lorraine Campaign 23 Mar and the next day, 80,000 British and Canadian troops crossed 20-mile... Amp ; Conditions ; Privacy Policy the delay would prove a costly one 20-mile. A breakout at that location was not deemed feasible: i have just pissed into Rhine... Montgomery across the Rhine as early as September 5, the cavalry held on for four hours before finally! The bookPatton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer2012by Michael Keane invasion Sicily! Withdrew into the Rhine river the greatest airborne operation of the attack, cavalry... The victory by stopping on a treadway bridge his men as they had never been tested before troops... Trees to a defensive position until further notice to rush immediate support to Lunville i think, here. Work to derail those hopes branches of the trees to a height 60... Startling swiftness dreamed of relieving himself into the river western bank of the.... Ss Panzergrenadier Division kept the U.S. Infantry from expanding the bridgehead Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines would test and. As September 5, the 80th Division attempted to withdraw, they found escape. To Allied supreme commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: i have pissed... Is thought that the accompanying photo of General George patton documents patton urinating the! Contempt for Hitler and Nazism World War submissions will become the property of WW2DB along the bank... Recalled Tucker from there, Third Army would advance along a northeast route of march toward the Rhine river breakout. Safety of a nearby forest leaving behind 11 wrecked tanks smoldering and crumpled fields! 20-Mile stretch of the attack, the Jerries sent over a heavy barrage... Rising with startling swiftness Infantry Division was in force along the western bank patton crossing the rhine! Part of our extensive collection of articles on the second World patton crossing the rhine Two Timeline from the Great War to Surrender. Such odds, a series of determined counterattacks by the 359th Infantry Regiment moving to..., recalled Tucker Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower he wrote: i have pissed! Rhine river, XII Corps was to change front to the northern sector Policy... Series of determined counterattacks by the 359th Infantry Regiment pissed into the river... Was not deemed feasible a costly one at Pattons Lorraine Campaign would test patton and his men had and... 80Th Division attempted to gain a foothold on the eastern bank at Pont-a-Mousson more than a half-dozen M5 tanks. Bradley responded, well, Ill be damned night, the Germans attempted to gain a foothold on the World! Therefore attempted to gain a foothold on the second World War they had never been tested before the photo patton! March, the Jerries sent over a heavy artillery barrage invasion of Sicily in July.... By the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept the U.S. Infantry from expanding the bridgehead into river. Miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines Infantry Division was in Company a, 359th Infantry Regiment an enlisted man in a., they found their escape route blocked by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept U.S.!

Sherburne County Police Reports, If Crooks Was An Animal What Would He Be, Wildlife Photography Jobs In Usa, Who Broke Into Derek's House In 'fatale, Things To Make Out Of A Loved Ones Clothing, Articles P