 Every major victory in war is a result of long planning, long preparation, with the loss of often thousands of men. But when something comes along that is unexpected, and you have this great prize, now there's a great alarm. In the other cases, you've expected it. You've planned for it. And here, you come along with something that gives a great lift to the morale of the whole force. Everybody, I think from private up to our bosses in Washington and London, knew that the war was over. Every one of us realized that if Hitler had the slightest sense, he would immediately surrender. But it was the gallantry of the men that did it, that something should never be forgotten. And their names really ought to be in some, I'd say, permanent place in the niche of fame that the American government should like to keep. The people of Ramaghan love their bridge. They loved it because it was an attraction for visitors from all over the countryside. And they love to stroll across it on Sunday afternoons to have picnics near the site of it. And they're right proud of the fact that the bridge was a strategic link between the German Ruhrer on the north and the Sare-Moselle region on the south. Everybody knew that it would take a long amount of planning to cross the Rhine River because this was the big natural barrier between the Siegfried Line and the straight shot toward Berlin. So even before we landed in Normandy, the Supreme Headquarters began to lay its strategic plans. To explain the strategy of crossing the Rhine, a little background is necessary. Hitler still had at that time a very strong army and strong armed force west of the Rhine. And we counted on the almost a certainty that he would not allow them to withdraw when they saw their situation to be hopeless and take the bulk of their forces back across the Rhine and therefore defend that very great obstacle in such a way that we would have a very terrible time to get across. So we began to plan the basic or what you might say the power crossing of the Rhine for a crossing just to the north of the Ruhr. This would be in the zone of the 21st Army Group under General Montgomery and to that force I had attached the 9th Army under General Simpson to reinforce Montgomery's blow. And of course we gave him a considerable time to prepare for that you might call formal or power crossing. In the meantime, however, we went about the business of destroying the German forces west of the Rhine and this was a series of blows that had been taken up first in the way to the north and into Bradley's Army Group and finally down into the Army Group of Devers which had both a French Army and an American Army in his command. There was considerable argument as to how we should cross the Rhine when we reached the West Bank. The British argued, particularly Marshal Montgomery, that we should cross only in the north and make our attack north of the Ruhr toward Berlin. The maximum number of divisions you could supply on that narrow front was something like 25, but he wanted to take these divisions and let the rest of us stay on the West Bank in a defensive position. The Americans argued that that was no way to do it, that we should advance on a broad front so that the Germans could not concentrate against us on a narrow front and with a broad front we'd have better mobility and could probe and secure the places where they were weakest. So that my plan was to cross the 1st Army just south of the Ruhr and the 3rd Army under Patton to cross down somewhere near Koblenz and then join them together and attack to sweep around the south and east side of the Ruhr and connect up with the 9th U.S. Division which at that time was under Monty on the east side of the Ruhr and then clean up the Ruhr. As a matter of fact, we did do that later and secured something like 368,000 prisoners in the Ruhr. At the end of February 1945, the 9th Armored Division having been re-equipped and received replacements was moved up behind the 1st Army and attached or assigned to the 3rd Corps and crossed the Ruhr River north of the dams. We then moved out onto the Rhine Plain where we encountered small pockets of resistance. Which was primarily that of the anti-aircraft defense guns which had been lowered so that they could fire as anti-tank guns. Owing to the lack of cover and the very flat terrain, this was a very serious obstacle but we were moving forward at the rate of 5 to 10 miles an hour. The reasons that the Americans made such great progress toward the Rhine was the fact that Hitler insisted that every position be held to the last man. This meant that the Americans could bypass a good many of these strong points which the Germans had set up in the Rhineland. The confusion in the German defenses at Remagen on March 7, 1945. Captain Friesenhahn, the engineer commander, had been sent to Remagen in 1943 to assume command. He was replaced by Captain Bratke as the top commander who came in 1944. These two commanders tried in vain to sort out the miscellaneous set of units that kept filtering through Remagen. As the Americans approached Remagen in early March, I had at my disposal in the bridgehead of Remagen one sapper company of 125 men. The sappers were assigned to the planking of the railroad bridge in order to make it passable for motor vehicle traffic. The men had to work day and night in order to complete the bridge. Besides these men, the bridge defense company was also under my command. It consisted of 35 men, convalescents, all of whom were still under treatment. Some of these men were not even able to manipulate a gun because, of course, they had stiff limbs. The town of Remagen had some advantages for both the attacker and the defender. From the standpoint of the attacker, there was high ground going into the town where you could direct operations from. But it was very easy to defend Remagen because of the crooked and narrow streets and particularly the 600-foot-high cliff on the opposite side of the Rhine, which provided wonderful observation for 10 miles around from which the defender could see anybody approaching the town. On the morning of March 7th, we received orders and we gave them maps covering the area leading to Remagen. We noticed on the map the bridge of the Ludendorff Bridge. No one paid any attention to this bridge on a map because we had received no orders pertaining to the bridge or to capture the bridge. All we were told was that we would attack the town of Remagen, take it, and then swing south, trying to connect up with Patton's Third Army. Progress was not too fast. It was just 10 miles to the Rhine, but it took considerable time to get there. We met up with some so-called light resistance, but I've always felt that a 30-caliber bullet aimed at the right spot is just as heavy resistance as an artillery shell if the man dies from it. Realizing that the Rhine was our mission, we looked forward with some anticipation, of course, of reaching this historical river. Some of us recognized that the Rhine itself had a great deal of impact on the outcome of the war, that it had to be crossed, but how it was to be done, we were not advised. It was hoped that when we did reach the Rhine that we would be given a break being an armored outfit that we would not be able to get across the Rhine until some type of bridging had been established. Early in March of 1945, there was a whole series of new company commanders in Company A of the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, where Carl Timmerman served as a platoon leader. The advance along the Rhine land toward Remagen resulted in a number of casualties to the officers, and on the night of March the 6th, Carl Timmerman was tapped to be the next company commander of Company A. His orders were to capture the town of Remagen and then to stop. By the morning of the 7th of March, along about 1130, Carl Timmerman saw a great deal of excitement up ahead on the edge of the woods. He gunned his jeep, went to the edge of the woods, and looked down on the broad Rhine River, and there he saw the electrifying sight of a bridge still standing, the Ludendorff Bridge, a bridge which the Americans never expected to find standing. Around 10.20 am, the entire front line of the American infantry had reached the edge of the Remagen bridgehead. Our bridge defense company opened fire with rifles and machine guns upon which the American infantry forces retreated, and for the time being everything remained quiet. About 11.15 am, a major in general staff uniform arrived and introduced himself as Major Sherlock. Major Sherlock told me that he had orders to take over command at Remagen. At that moment I breathed a sigh of relief because I thought, now we will get the promised additional battalions. My first question was, where are the battalions? Major Sherlock looked at me in surprise and asked, which battalions? Now it was my turn to look surprised, and I almost suspected that something was not quite in order. When Timmerman first saw that the Remagen bridge was still standing, his first reaction was, let's get some artillery down on that, because look at all those German vehicles and troops that are crossing. However, the order came back from higher headquarters, nothing except air bursts would be fired at that bridge, since it's still standing. Timmerman was then ordered by Colonel Engelman, the test force commander, to make a reconnaissance down into Remagen, which he proceeded to do. The tanks and infantry then attacked the town. The infantry moved, hugging close to the walls of the buildings of the town, cleaned it out within two hours. While the troops were moving into position for the attack on the bridge, we captured a number of soldiers, civilians, and some railroad people in uniform. The rumor came back to me that several of these reported that the bridge was to be blown up at four o'clock. I don't think there was any truth in that, but at the time I informed the task force commander, Colonel Engelman, that he should speed up his attack, since the bridge was supposed to be blown at four o'clock. It was then about 3.30. Major Devers, the infantry battalion commander, asks Lieutenant Timmerman, do you think you could get your company across that bridge? Timmerman said, well, we can try. Devers said, go ahead. Timmerman asked, what if the bridge blows up in my face? The battalion commander didn't answer. He just walked away. In fact, nobody ever answered the question, what if the bridge blows up in my face? While these troops were taking that position on the west bank of the Rhine along the bridge, an explosion occurred in the causeway leading to the bridge. This threw up a great quantity of dirt and smoke, and afterwards I saw it and it was about 30 feet in diameter and formed an obstacle to the crossing of vehicles. A powerful detonation occurred on the left bank of the Rhine, immediately behind the bridge. I did not know how to explain this. Captain Friesenhahn, the bridge commander, had blasted the dike on the other side of the bridge, at the ramp of the bridge, a demolition which had already been envisaged. This was a sign to me that the Americans were approaching. But so far as the main demolitions were concerned, something very peculiar happened on the morning of the 7th of March. Friesenhahn and Brodka had ordered some reserve TNT in order to arm the explosives. When the truck came up on the morning of the 7th of March, Brodka and Friesenhahn were horrified to discover that they had gotten just about half as much explosive as they had been promised. And in addition to that, it was an industrial type of explosive known as donor it, instead of the military explosive, which was far more powerful. Captain Friesenhahn was calling for the tunnel entrance. Captain Brodka, Captain Brodka, combat commander! I just stole it to him. Still completely out of breath, he reports to me, the Americans. They are the Becher Timbermen. This mill was located immediately behind the Rhine. In other words, they had reached the bridge. I told him Friesenhahn blasted the bridge, blew it up. I have no permission. Major Scherler is the only one who can give the order for demolition. At that moment, Major Scherler was on the other side of the tunnel, 350 meters away from us, only to be reached on foot. I dashed off through the dark tunnel to Major Scherler. I reported to him, the Americans are going to cross the bridge. Major Scherler is very calm. His head major, if you don't give orders to blast the bridge, I will do so. Then go ahead, have the bridge blasted. I ran back to Captain Friesenhahn. Back again to the dark tunnel. Again minutes passed before I could reach him. As soon as he could hear me, I called out to him, Friesenhahn, blow up the bridge. Friesenhahn shouts, full cover, full cover. Everybody in the tunnel lies down flat on the ground in order to escape the tremendous blast we expect. As far as we know, we actually saw the bridge lift up off its foundation. There was dust and debris thrown all over, and after a while, you couldn't see the bridge anymore. It wasn't too long. The dust cleared, the bridge was still standing. And Timmerman said, OK, move out. Instinctively, my hand comes to my neck. I know. If the bridge doesn't go down into the water, my life will be at stake. Something has to happen. I rush back to Major Schöller and report to him. Demolition of the bridge has failed. But I had hardly reached him. When someone called again through the tunnel, Captain Bradgecker would come back commander up front. It grows louder and louder. Major Schöller says, have a look what is going on. I run back through the tunnel, through the masses of civilians, passing men, women, children. Soldiers are amongst them. I reach Friesenhahn. Friesenhahn already shouts, America's across the bridge. That was all we needed. Come on, Friesenhahn. A few minutes from the sapper unit. Count of attack. There can be many of them. We have to throw them back. I've already tried it. We wanted to get out immediately. But look, the tremendous gunfire aimed at the entrance of the tunnel. One grenade after another. You can't subject anybody to that. No one will get out alive. Friesenhahn, there is only one possibility. Escape through the other end of the tunnel across the dam. A counter attack. The Americans have to retreat. I respect to Major Schöller. Report to him. Americans are crossing the bridge. Major, you have to prepare for an immediate counter attack. I will get the people out of the tunnel. Do you want to get them out? No, Bradger. You go ahead. I enter the tunnel. Get hold of a sergeant, summon everyone who still carries arms. Here, one, two, three, four, nine men. Sergeant Ferner. Run along. Get me nine men. Major Schöller still has two lieutenants with him. He should put them into action. In the meantime, I look for some more men. Sergeant Ferner leaves. I shout, get them together. I have five men now. Ferner comes back. Major Schöller isn't there. It's impossible, I think, myself. And I even barked at Sergeant Ferner in a rather irritated manner. Open your eyes! He is standing right there at the entrance to the tunnel. He is aggravated and replies, that isn't so. He's gone. What to do now? I accompany him to the entrance of the tunnel. Major Schöller is gone. He left the tunnel together with the two lieutenants in the direction of Funker. That was the last thing I could make out. Immediately I make an announcement. I am taking over combat command at once. I run back to Friesenheim. He will have to know what is going on. I tell him, Friesenheim Schöller is gone. I don't know why he left. Now we have to get all the men who are still in here out of the tunnel, gather everyone near Ostberg and launch a counterattack. There is no other alternative left. Friesenheim agrees. Friesenheim and I push all the men from the back to the front in order to evacuate the whole tunnel. The first soldiers leave the tunnel. Handgunner leads by striking in front of them. Gunfire. Pushing gunfire hits the tunnel entrance. The Americans have crossed the mountain terrain. They have the tunnel exit. Ah, that was possible. I still can't understand up to this day. How many times did I climb this mountain? What an effort it was. That was not only a good military achievement, but also a commendable physical accomplishment of our comrades on the other side. Now, unknown to the German commander, Captain Brotke, on the afternoon of March 6th, the day before the Americans reached Rumogen, this anti-aircraft unit was replaced and sent down to Koblenz. The unit that came in to take its place never did get up to the top of the hill on the 7th of March. Since the Bear Bridge was standing, I directed the Task Force commander to move the infantry across the bridge. While watching their progress over the bridge, I received a radio message from the division stating that previous missions were canceled and that Combat Command B was to move south across the R River in the direction of Koblenz and join up with the units of the 3rd Army which were moving north from that direction. I did not know exactly how to react to this since we were in process of capturing a bridge over the Rhine, which I believe to be of considerable value to our forces. On the other hand, it was a direct violation of orders not to call off this attack and proceed to the south. There seemed to be one way of getting out of this dilemma and that was for the bridge to fall. So I stood on the hill and watched the bridge until the infantry battalion had reached the far bank. My next thought was that I should get back and contact higher headquarters and what the situation was that I had disobeyed their orders and received confirmation for the action which I had taken. When I received this phone call from Hodges it was one of the best pieces of news we'd received for some time. It was a great satisfaction that we had been able to capture this bridge and I expect I was somewhat excited about it and as soon as I finished talking to Hodges and Howard, he was very excited about it and we both realized this is very fine news. It would save us the trouble and expense and casualties of making an assault crossing of the Rhine and it really was one of the nicest things that happened to us during this period. Well, I shouted with glee, of course, and I told Bradley, well, look, we were going to capture Cologne with an allotted four or five divisions to that and Cologne surrendered. You've got those right-handy. They're not allotted now to any other mission. Why not get them across? Well, he said that is exactly my plan but I just wanted to check in with you and I said, all right, we agree. Get over there as fast as you can. And they did this, I forget the name, the numerical designation of the Corps but they went over very rapidly.