Wesel Rail Bridge
Encyclopedia
Wesel, Germany, was heavily bombed in Allied air raids during World War II
and more than 90 percent destroyed. On 10 March 1945 the Rhine and Lippe
bridges, among others, were blown up by the Wehrmacht
in compliance with Hitler's scorched earth
policy that became known as the Nero Decree
. The 1950 metres (6,397.6 ft) long railway bridge at Wesel
was the last Rhine bridge remaining in German hands.
The Bombing of Wesel
in World War II
in conjunction with the attacks in support of the crossing of the Rhine enabled the allies to take the town in March 1945. The town was taken quickly with only 36 casualties. Field-Marshal Montgomery
said of the bombing: "The bombing of Wesel was a masterpiece, and was a decisive factor in making possible our entry into the town before midnight."
moved by a convoy code named "Boobie Trap" on March 29, 1945, from Geldern
, to Menzelen, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Alpen, Germany
, preparing to move northeast towards Wesel and the Rhine River rail bridge.
The Ninth and British 2nd were pushing east at a fast pace, so the engineering companies began working 12-hour shifts of 10 days on, 2 off, on the Rhine River Bridge project. The bridge was a high-level type, approximately 23 metres (75.5 ft) feet above high water, and of steel construction to support heavy transport trains.
The river depth, between 6 to 11 m (19.7 to 36.1 ), and 11 km/h (6.8 mph) current made falling into the water a dangerous proposition. Airplanes provided protection along with anti-aircraft gun emplacements and lights on the ground. The Germans unable to pinpoint the location of the bridge construction project.
On April 4, 1945, the piling was braced and capped. The 23 metres (75.5 ft) towers were completed. Steel spans, ties, and track were lowered into place.
, according to military references, and was the first fixed bridge to span the Rhine River with highway bridges included. The "Victory Bridge" constructed by the 332nd Engineer G. S. Regiment wasn't completed until a month later, on May 8, 1945.
Station, Germany
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and more than 90 percent destroyed. On 10 March 1945 the Rhine and Lippe
Lippe River
The Lippe is a river in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is a right tributary of the Rhine and in length.The source is located at the edge of the Teutoburg Forest in Bad Lippspringe close to the city of Paderborn. It runs westward through Paderborn, Lippstadt and then along the northern edge...
bridges, among others, were blown up by the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
in compliance with Hitler's scorched earth
Scorched earth
A scorched earth policy is a military strategy or operational method which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area...
policy that became known as the Nero Decree
Nero Decree
The Nero Decree was issued by Adolf Hitler on March 19, 1945 ordering the destruction of German infrastructure to prevent their use by Allied forces as they penetrated deep within Germany...
. The 1950 metres (6,397.6 ft) long railway bridge at Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
was the last Rhine bridge remaining in German hands.
Bombing
Bombing of Wesel in World War II
The German town of Wesel was heavily bombed in Allied air raids during World War II. Between this and the attacks in support of the crossing of the Rhine, the town was devastated....
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in conjunction with the attacks in support of the crossing of the Rhine enabled the allies to take the town in March 1945. The town was taken quickly with only 36 casualties. Field-Marshal Montgomery
Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC , nicknamed "Monty" and the "Spartan General" was a British Army officer. He saw action in the First World War, when he was seriously wounded, and during the Second World War he commanded the 8th Army from...
said of the bombing: "The bombing of Wesel was a masterpiece, and was a decisive factor in making possible our entry into the town before midnight."
Bridge construction
The 371st Engineer Construction Battalion371st Engineer Construction Battalion
371st Engineer Construction Battalion or 371st Engineer Battalion was activated as a Special Service Regiment in February 1944, as a unit in the United States Army. Later this unit was redesignated a General Service Regiment...
moved by a convoy code named "Boobie Trap" on March 29, 1945, from 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:...
, to Menzelen, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Alpen, Germany
Alpen, Germany
Alpen is a municipality in the district of Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.- Division of the town :The municipality consists 4 districts:* Alpen* Menzelen* Veen* Bönninghardt- Transportation :...
, preparing to move northeast towards Wesel and the Rhine River rail bridge.
The Ninth and British 2nd were pushing east at a fast pace, so the engineering companies began working 12-hour shifts of 10 days on, 2 off, on the Rhine River Bridge project. The bridge was a high-level type, approximately 23 metres (75.5 ft) feet above high water, and of steel construction to support heavy transport trains.
The river depth, between 6 to 11 m (19.7 to 36.1 ), and 11 km/h (6.8 mph) current made falling into the water a dangerous proposition. Airplanes provided protection along with anti-aircraft gun emplacements and lights on the ground. The Germans unable to pinpoint the location of the bridge construction project.
On April 4, 1945, the piling was braced and capped. The 23 metres (75.5 ft) towers were completed. Steel spans, ties, and track were lowered into place.
Completion
On April 8, the Rhine River Bridge at Wesel was completed. They tested the bridge by running a train across it that night, and the bridge passed. The following morning, 50 car supply trains began crossing the bridge, keeping to a 8 km/h (5 mph) speed limit and traveling one at a time to avoid unnecessary vibration. The Wesel Bridge was the first fixed bridge built by any army engineer to span the Rhine since the days of CaesarRoman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, according to military references, and was the first fixed bridge to span the Rhine River with highway bridges included. The "Victory Bridge" constructed by the 332nd Engineer G. S. Regiment wasn't completed until a month later, on May 8, 1945.
Finalizing
Between April 8–10, 1945, the 3rd platoon improved the western approach to the bridge, to speed the huge volume of heavy railroad traffic using the single track approach.Other units were tasked with clearing mine fields for landing of aircraft and laying of gas pipelines. One detail was erecting a prefabricated water tower and tank for the Railroad at BüderichMeerbusch
Meerbusch, a town in Rhein-Kreis Neuss, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has been an incorporated city since 1970. Meerbusch is the municipality with the second most income millionaires in North Rhine-Westphalia.- Geography :...
Station, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.