The Battle of the Reichswald: Rhineland February 1945

During winter 1944/45, German officers underestimated the Allies' attack on the Reichswald Plug in the wooded Rhine-Maas region. The 84th Infantry Division held field defenses, but the defenders were thinly spread, and most German soldiers faced defeat. Despite the harsh conditions, the Allies managed to break through the mud and defenses with the help of assault engineer equipment, seizing island villages and capturing Materborn. The Allies' efforts opened the way into the Rhineland and the final phases of the war.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 03 February 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

During the winter of 1944/45, a small group of German officers held the belief that the Allies would launch an attack on the wooded Reichswald Plug situated on the narrow neck of land between the Rhine and Maas rivers. Consequently, they disregarded the natural defenses of the forest, leading to the weakening of the renowned Siegfried Line. The 84th Infantry Division, despite extensive preparations throughout the autumn, found itself thinly spread and facing the imminent prospect of defeat. Initially, the Germans had planned to utilize the frozen winter ground for a swift assault, but days before Operation VERITABLE commenced, a thaw set in, presenting the Allies with unfavorable conditions for attack. On the morning of February 8, the bombardment continued, causing further delays as vehicles became bogged down in saturated fields and shell holes, and roads disintegrated under the weight of heavy armor. However, just enough assault engineer equipment managed to reach the outer German defenses, where it encountered a largely stunned enemy infantry. Breaking through the mud and defenses into the Reichswald proved to be a challenging task that required the entire first day. Meanwhile, to the north, Canadian and Scottish troops struggled across equally sodden open country, contending with rapidly rising Rhine floods. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Canadians managed to seize the now-island villages, while the Scots swiftly captured the vital Materborn, which overlooked Kleve. With heavy rain exacerbating the difficulties, the movement of men and supplies became increasingly challenging, but the Allies remained resolute in their efforts. Despite the arrival of German reinforcements, they continued to advance, ultimately forcing the Reichswald Plug and paving the way into the Rhineland, marking the final stages of the war.

Weight: 642g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399010863