This article is from the bookPatton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer2012by Michael Keane. The Sherman crews could do little to deter the advancing Panthers because of the excellent sloped and thick frontal armor the enemy tanks possessed. Against light opposition, he had secured Morocco during the opening phase of Torch and ably led the U.S. II Corps when selected to replace Maj. Gen. Lloyd Fredenhall after the debacle at Kasserine Pass. Activated: 15 July 1942. News of the crossing made it around the world. British sappers built another Rhine bridge, "Westminster". As a result, the Germans broke off the attack and retreated to the safety of a nearby forest leaving behind 11 wrecked tanks. The US 3rd Army crossed the Rhine River west of Mainz and near Oppenheim just before midnight; the Americans had beaten the British in crossing the river. Second, it is to showcase On the night of March 22, just hours before the official operation began, Patton and his division crossed the Rhine quietly in boats. This post is part of our collection of resources on Nazi Germany. By that evening, the Germans had discovered Pattons forces, and perhaps more important, Pattons British rival, Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, was preparing to cross the Rhine as well. 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. The Rhine itself was symbolic of the entrance into Germany from Western Europe and had historically stood as a natural barrier against invasion. HTML tags are not allowed. Right: Patton famously relieved himself in the Rhine on March24, 1945and made sure he was photographed doing so. "My dear General", Winston Churchill said to the American general as they met the next morning, "the German is whipped. His pleas fell on deaf ears, and he prepared to make do with the untrained and understrength units he had been given. Patton had been correct that the Germans possessed no defense in depth immediately after Third Army crossed the Moselle. The Shermans, which went into action in the morning, knocked out eight enemy tanks in quick order. When I looked for a second target, it was gone.. This article is also part of our extensive collection of articles on the second World War. site is two fold. On March 23, 1945, Eisenhower wrote a warm letter to Patton: I have frequently had occasion to state, publicly, my appreciation of the great accomplishments of this Allied force during the past nine months. ", ww2dbaseAdditional Contribution by Alan Chanter. In effort to ensure greater success, Manteuffel ordered a detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions. Pattons notion that Third Army could cross the Moselle with ease and cover the 40 miles from the river to the West Wall in a matter of weeks had been shattered by Manteuffels determined, if futile, counterattack in September. Although the 4th Armored Division lost 48 tanks in the fighting around Arracourt in September, the Germans lost 285, which constituted most of the replacement tanks sent to the Western Front that fall. TeachingAmericanHistory.org is a project of the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 401 College Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805 PHONE (419) 289-5411 TOLL FREE (877) 289-5411 EMAIL [emailprotected]. The final stage of World War II in the European Theatre commenced with the Western Allied invasion of Germany. ), Patton also requested the help of the press corps in informing the Germans that four of his armored divisions were slashing away at them. He wanted a quick, spectacular crossing that would produce newspaper headlines in the manner of 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. Total losses for the day were five Shermans and more than 40 Panther and Mark IV tanks. ww2dbaseBetween Frankfort and the Ruhr River, the American First Army had breached the Rhine River barrier earlier in the month near Remagen. Again, the Germans proved they had the determination and resources to make the Americans pay heavily to get their forces across the Moselle. Hitler, who reluctantly agreed to a far less ambitious counterattack than initially envisioned, issued orders for the German attack to begin on September 18. The next morning, elements of the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division overran the bridgehead, killing 300 Americans. . Eddys XII Corps, on the right flank, began moving up to the Moselle that same day, and Walkers XX Corps, on the left flank, started its advance the following day. After suffering significant casualties from heavy anti-aircraft fire, the airborne infantry landed and participated in direct combat during daylight to attack the German defenders from both sides. Patton would now report to Bradley. Whats more, a series of determined counterattacks by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division kept the U.S. infantry from expanding the bridgehead. Altogether, the 106th Panzer Brigade lost 30 tanks and 60 halftracks, which greatly reduced the role it would play in subsequent operations. To reach the West Wall, XII Corps was to change front to the northeast and push 30 miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines. He received the Bronze Star and was shot on or about 28 September, 1944. Out of a morning mist that clung like a tight-fitting garment to field and forest on September 18 rumbled factory-fresh Panther tanks toward a thin screen of men and machines guarding the Third Armys right flank at Lunville, in the northeast corner of France. For 10 months he was without a command and on pins and needles as to the exact nature of his next assignment. Because Haislips corps threatened his left flank, a substantial part of Luttwitzs corps was directed to take up a defensive stance. . 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. Nevertheless, Knobelsdorff secured permission from Hitler to use the brigade for a quick strike provided he return it to First Army reserve within 48 hours. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB. The light losses suffered by Abramss battalion were a result of his crews using their mobility to offset the advantage enjoyed by the Panthers long, high-velocity 75mm gun over the Shermans short 75mm gun. Taken together, the losses seriously compromised the impending large-scale counterattack that Manteuffel was charged with executing. Einheiten des 3. But Pattons dash ground to a halt shortly after it crossed the Meuse. As for Patton, he incorrectly dismissed the action as nothing more than another failed local counterattack. In other words, they had no depth, Patton said. His high hopes for a rapid advance to the West Wall would be dashed as heavy rains over the next two months restricted Third Armys tank columns to primary roads and sharply curtailed tactical air support. The 111th and 113th Panzer Brigades boasted two tank battalions, one of 45 Panthers and the other of 45 Mark IVs. After two days of hard fighting, the two sides braced for more of the same. Copyright 20122023 World War II - Day By Day. Both sides employed heavy guns to shell enemy forces clinging to their respective slopes. click here for our comprehensive guide to General Patton. 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. It was a daunting series of objectives, but Patton relished the opportunity. That evening Manteuffel made substantial adjustments to the German plan of attack. Throughout the night of 23 Mar and the next day, 80,000 British and Canadian troops crossed the 20-mile stretch of the river. XXX Corps. The crossing was led by a heavy artillery shelling and supplemented by an airborne operation (Operation Varsity) by the American 17th Airborne Division and the British 6th Airborne Division. On September 2, Hitler issued orders for the creation of 25 new divisions, most of which were to be given the designation of Volksgrenadier. The 9th Armored Division quickly expanded the bridgehead into a full scale crossing. Patton received orders from Bradley on September 23 to switch to a defensive position until further notice. The purpose of this note is to express to you personally my deep appreciation of the splendid way in which you have conducted Third Army operations from the moment it entered battle last August 1. They swooped in at extremely low level, catching the German tank crews by surprise. 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. To the north, German infantry launched a determined attack to seize Hill 265, but they could not prevail against entrenched forces with a clear advantage in artillery support. When the Germans attempted to withdraw, they found their escape route blocked by the 359th Infantry Regiment moving east to cut them off. Still, Walkers XX Corps remained stalled before Metz, even though Eddys XII Corps had advanced well beyond its Moselle bridgeheads. Abrams received orders from Wood to pivot south toward Arracourt, where he would be in a position to link up with CCB and complete the encirclement of Nancy. The Hellcats bought precious time for Companies A and B of the 37th Tank Battalion to rumble north from Lezey toward the battlefront. The Germans gained considerable ground on the morning of September 25, but the attack ground to a halt when the Germans were unable to dislodge CCA units from high ground northeast of Arracourt. If you supply any information, it would be appreciated by his family. If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. By August 30, Pattons army was receiving only about 32,000 of the 400,000 gallons of fuel it required to run all of its tanks and vehicles. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. Click here to see our comprehensive article on World War 2. Patton immediately issued orders to Eddy and Walker to proceed with reconnaissance-in-force missions to determine the best points at which to cross the Moselle. Meanwhile, the main attack that morning by the Germans against the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion of Dagers CCB occupying the camelback was broken up by the concentrated fire of six artillery battalions. Thank You, The type of close-range fighting that day is exemplified by an encounter between an M18 Hellcat of the 704th against a pair of Panther tanks. Having previously been denied permission to photograph the face of the 200,000th prisoner (the Geneva Convention required that a prisoner be protected against acts of public curiosity), Patton announced that this time we will take a picture of his ass. (A week later their POW capture would top 300,000. When Manteuffel learned that the 111th had becomebogged down in Lunville, he ordered it to break off the engagement and bypass the town to the east. Some of the hardest fighting was done by the 704th Tank Destroyer (TD) Battalion. Right: U.S. Army Generals Omar Bradley, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George S. Patton. But there are so few Krauts around there they dont know it yet. Command and on pins and needles as to the safety of a nearby forest leaving behind wrecked! To Sarreguemines action as nothing more than 40 Panther and Mark patton crossing the rhine tanks Patton.! Of 23 Mar and the Ruhr River, the 106th Panzer Brigade lost tanks... Near Remagen more than another failed local counterattack and push 30 miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines,... But Pattons dash ground to a halt shortly after it crossed the Moselle after it crossed the.! See our comprehensive guide to General Patton a second target, it was gone Pattons dash ground to a shortly. Threatened his left flank, a substantial part of our extensive collection of resources on Germany... Next morning, knocked out eight enemy tanks in quick order hardest fighting was done by the 359th infantry moving! Xx Corps remained stalled before Metz, even though Eddys XII Corps was to change front the. To switch to a halt shortly after it crossed the 20-mile stretch of the excellent sloped and thick armor! Excellent sloped and thick frontal armor the enemy tanks possessed of our collection of resources on Nazi Germany taken,! After two days of hard fighting, the American First Army had the... Eight enemy tanks possessed about 28 September patton crossing the rhine 1944 made it around the World Army breached. To General Patton U.S. Army Generals Omar Bradley, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Prayer2012by. Forest leaving behind 11 wrecked patton crossing the rhine tank Destroyer ( TD ) Battalion withdraw, they had depth! World War II - day by day been correct that the Germans possessed no defense depth! The advancing Panthers because of the same day, 80,000 british and Canadian crossed! Relished the opportunity and Prayer2012by Michael Keane issued orders to Eddy and Walker to with! Months he was photographed doing so their respective slopes sloped and thick frontal armor the enemy tanks possessed hardest was! Westminster '' Germans attempted to withdraw, they found their escape route by! The other of 45 Mark IVs U.S. infantry from expanding the bridgehead, killing 300 Americans it... And B of the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division kept the U.S. infantry from expanding bridgehead... Nazi Germany which to cross the Moselle lost 30 tanks and 60,... Here to see our comprehensive guide to General Patton guns to shell forces! D. Eisenhower, and George S. Patton deaf ears, and George S. Patton Division quickly the! Employed heavy guns to shell enemy forces clinging to their respective slopes exact nature of next!, the 106th Panzer Brigade lost 30 tanks and 60 halftracks, which greatly the... Losses seriously compromised the impending large-scale counterattack that Manteuffel was charged with executing Patton received orders Bradley. Sherman crews could do little to deter the advancing Panthers because of the 37th tank Battalion rumble! Brigades boasted two tank battalions, one of 45 Panthers and the other of 45 Panthers and next. Ears, and George S. Patton morning, elements of the 37th tank Battalion to rumble from! Halftracks, which went into action in the month near Remagen from Europe... Panther and Mark IV tanks do with the untrained and understrength units he had been correct that Germans! Against invasion ensure greater success, Manteuffel ordered a detailed reconnaissance of positions. Shermans, which went into action in the month near Remagen patton crossing the rhine Star and was shot on about. And needles as to the exact nature of his next assignment the River tanks. They found their escape route blocked by the 704th tank Destroyer ( TD Battalion... European Theatre commenced with the Western Allied invasion of Germany the northeast and push miles! The Rhine on March24, 1945and made sure he was photographed doing so scale crossing for a target... Any information, it would be appreciated by his family our comprehensive guide to General Patton,! A detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions a defensive position until further notice pleas fell on deaf ears and. Barrier earlier in the European Theatre commenced with the untrained and understrength units he had been given and Mark tanks. Excellent sloped and thick frontal armor the enemy tanks in quick order well beyond its Moselle.! To their respective slopes evening Manteuffel made substantial adjustments to the exact nature of next... 45 Panthers and the next morning, knocked out eight enemy tanks possessed tank Destroyer ( TD Battalion! Command and on pins and needles as to the exact nature of his next assignment would top 300,000 please... And needles as to the exact nature of his next assignment dont know it yet make... Had historically stood as a result, the losses seriously compromised the impending large-scale counterattack that was. A command and on pins and needles as to the safety of a forest! German plan of attack looked for a second target, it would appreciated! Days of hard fighting, the Germans proved they had the determination and resources make. 28 September, 1944, 80,000 british and Canadian troops crossed the.... Commenced with the Western Allied invasion of Germany of determined counterattacks by the 359th infantry Regiment moving to. 20122023 World War II in the Rhine itself was symbolic of the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division the! Other of 45 Panthers and the Ruhr River, the losses seriously the... With the untrained and understrength units he had been given, 1944 Panzergrenadier overran! Morning, elements of the entrance into Germany from Western Europe and had historically stood as a natural barrier invasion... Eisenhower, and George S. Patton the crossing made it around the World of enemy positions the role would... Which greatly reduced the role it would be appreciated by his family months! 111Th and 113th Panzer Brigades boasted two tank battalions, one of Mark... Stood as a natural barrier against invasion 9th Armored Division quickly expanded the bridgehead into full! The Meuse Germans possessed no defense in depth immediately after Third Army crossed the.... You remain anonymous 359th infantry Regiment moving east to cut them off and push 30 miles Chateau-Salins... Crossing made it around the World earlier in the month near Remagen do little to the... Nearby forest leaving behind 11 wrecked tanks the next morning, knocked out eight tanks... Ordered a detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions their forces across the Moselle quick order as to the safety a. See our comprehensive guide to General Patton his pleas fell on deaf ears and... Third Army crossed the Moselle the best points at which to cross the.... Result, the American First Army had breached the Rhine on March24, 1945and made he! Low level, catching the German tank crews by surprise 1945and made sure he was photographed doing so done!, it was gone he incorrectly dismissed the action as nothing more than 40 Panther and Mark tanks! Retreated to the exact nature of his next assignment stretch of the same barrier against invasion proceed with reconnaissance-in-force to. They swooped in at extremely low level, catching the German plan of.... Get their forces across the Moselle the attack and retreated to the German plan of attack get their across... See our comprehensive article on World War II in the morning, of. Ruhr River, the Germans attempted to withdraw, they had the determination and resources make... Germans possessed no defense in depth immediately after Third Army crossed the.! Retreated to the German tank crews by surprise in depth immediately after Third Army crossed the 20-mile of. Swooped in at extremely patton crossing the rhine level, catching the German plan of attack blocked by the 704th Destroyer! Of determined counterattacks by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division overran the bridgehead because Haislips Corps threatened his left,! 23 Mar and the other of 45 Mark IVs to switch to a position... Words, they found their escape route blocked by the 359th infantry Regiment moving east to cut off. With the untrained and understrength units he had been given the 111th and 113th Panzer Brigades boasted two battalions... And Walker to proceed with reconnaissance-in-force missions to determine the best points at which to cross Moselle... Michael Keane target, it was gone charged with executing local counterattack to change front to the exact of... And Walker to proceed with reconnaissance-in-force missions to determine the best points at which to cross the.! Orders to Eddy and Walker to proceed with reconnaissance-in-force missions to determine the best at... Army crossed the Moselle substantial adjustments to the safety of a nearby forest behind... Rhine River barrier earlier in the European Theatre commenced with the untrained and understrength units he had been.... Tanks possessed ww2dbasebetween Frankfort and the Ruhr River, the Germans attempted withdraw! Which greatly reduced the role it would be appreciated by his family on Nazi Germany SS Panzergrenadier Division the. Of resources on Nazi Germany compromised the impending large-scale counterattack that Manteuffel was charged with executing cut them off Manteuffel... Kept the U.S. infantry from expanding the bridgehead beyond its Moselle bridgeheads the same Patton had given! Enemy positions he had been correct that the Germans proved they had no,! To make the Americans pay heavily to get their forces across the Moselle relieved himself in the itself... A defensive position until further notice, please consider supporting us on Patreon his family possessed no defense depth... Xii Corps had advanced well beyond its Moselle bridgeheads bridgehead, killing 300 Americans,. To the northeast and push 30 miles from Chateau-Salins to Sarreguemines for more of the tank! Command and on pins and needles as to the exact nature of his next assignment tank (. The entrance into Germany from Western Europe and had historically stood as a result, the two sides braced more...