“Pulling on the Pin”

Operation Grenade, Crossing the River Roer

Overview

Situation, 24

As the war grinds to a close the Allies push on, intent on taking the Rhur

valley, Nazi Germany’s industrial heartland. The Germans have responded by

destroying the water flow valves on a series of dams, causing the rivers to

rise and flood low lying areas in the hope of slowing down the Allied advance.

With typical thoroughness the British under Montgomery are about to launch

Operation Plunder, the assault crossing of the Rhine, covered by meticulously

arranged artillery, air and engineering plan. While Monty is putting his last

assets in place however, the Americans decide to try a little dash and

improvisation. General Bolling’s VIIIth Corp risks crossing the Roer on the

night of 23

current proves to be more of a problem than the enemy, and the first wave

struggled across to only limited opposition. As the sun rises on the morning of

the 24th this changes and the crossing points are hit hard by German artillery,

mortars and machine guns. The US assault forces are exposed on the East

bank of the river without any heavy weapons and equipment. The next few

hours will decide if the assault was a risk worth taking, or a dangerous and

expensive gamble.

The Rail-Splitters & The VolksGrenadiers

The 84

liberate Europe. Formed in Texas in 1942, they arrived in continental Europe

in early November 1944, well equipped and trained but lacking combat

experience. This was quickly rectified and the Division fought a series of

actions through the winter of 1944/45. By February 1945 they had become an

efficient, organised and confident fighting force.

The first wave of the 84

of the first wave is the 1

Divisional Engineers bravely try to bridge the river under heavy fire, the

1/334

positions to their front, they leave their vehicles and heavy equipment behind

on the West bank, they turn left to probe along the riverside, hoping to

secure the road and further crossing points. Their route is dangerously

narrow, restricted by the river on their left and the flooded land on their right.

If this move goes wrong, it could easily become a killing ground.

Inadvertently this left turn carries them across the boundary of the defending

59

Grenadier Regiment of the 183

through here they can unhinge the whole German defensive position at

Linnich.