5 FEBRUARY 1945 - DRIVE ON THE ROER DAMS BEGINS #WWII
After winning the Battle of the Bulge, the U.S. Army began advancing towards Germany across several of region’s major rivers, most of which had dams that needed to be captured to prevent the enemy from causing major flooding.
After winning the Battle of the Bulge, the U.S. Army began advancing towards Germany across several of region’s major rivers, most of which had dams that needed to be captured to prevent the enemy from causing major flooding.
LTG William Simpon’s 9th Army planned Operation GRENADE to cross the Roer River and link up with Allied forces advancing from Holland, while LTG Courtney Hodges’ 1st Army used the 78th ID to secure the Schwammenauel Dam, supported by elements of the 82d ABD and the 7th AD.
Jumping off early in the morning of 5 FEB, American soldiers attacked into the Hurtgen Forest for the first time since DEC 1944. Although its progress was hampered by rough terrain and dense forests, the 78th Division made steady, if slow, progress.
#WorldWar2 #WW2 #WW2History
#WorldWar2 #WW2 #WW2History
The ruined towns of Schmidt and Kommerscheidt, which had seen heavy fighting in late 1944, fell on 7 FEB, opening the way for the advance that finally reached the dam on 9 FEB and secured it the next day.
#MilitaryHistory #ArmyHistory #TRADOC @USArmy @TRADOC @TradocCG
#MilitaryHistory #ArmyHistory #TRADOC @USArmy @TRADOC @TradocCG
Although the Germans had not blown the dam as the Allies feared, they had destroyed its discharge valves, inundating the plain below with water rather than causing a massive flood. On 23 FEB, the 9th Army proceeded with its plan to cross the Roer. #USArmy
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