Operation Blockbuster
Encyclopedia
Operation Blockbuster was the completion of the larger Operation Veritable
by the Canadian 1st Army, reinforced by the British XXX Corps. It took place in late February and early March, 1945. Veritable had been slower and more costly than expected and the Canadian commander, Harry Crerar
, had decided on a fresh start for the operation.
Three Anglo-Canadian divisions advanced north-westwards, capturing unprepared German positions in the Hochwald forested ridge, before advancing on Xanten
. They linked up with the US Ninth Army at Berendonk, near Geldern
on March 3.
Operation Veritable
Operation Veritable was a Second World War pincer movement conducted by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's 21st Army Group to clear and occupy the land between the Rhine and Maas rivers. It took place between 8 February and 11 March 1945. It was a part of General Dwight Eisenhower's "broad front"...
by the Canadian 1st Army, reinforced by the British XXX Corps. It took place in late February and early March, 1945. Veritable had been slower and more costly than expected and the Canadian commander, Harry Crerar
Harry Crerar
Henry Duncan Graham "Harry" Crerar CH, CB, DSO, KStJ, CD, PC was a Canadian general and the country's "leading field commander" in World War II.-Early years:...
, had decided on a fresh start for the operation.
Three Anglo-Canadian divisions advanced north-westwards, capturing unprepared German positions in the Hochwald forested ridge, before advancing on Xanten
Xanten
Xanten is a historic town in the North Rhine-Westphalia state of Germany, located in the district of Wesel.Xanten is known for the Archaeological Park or archaeological open air museum , its medieval picturesque city centre with Xanten Cathedral and many museums, its large man-made lake for...
. They linked up with the US Ninth Army at Berendonk, near Geldern
Geldern
Geldern ) is a city in the northwest of the federal state North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is part of the district of Cleves, which is part of the Düsseldorfadministrative region.-Location:...
on March 3.