Remagen 1945: Endgame against the Third Reich (Campaign) - Softcover

Zaloga, Steven J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1846030188 ISBN 13: 9781846030185

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2006

Synopsis

Following the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes, the Allies began steps for the final assault into Germany. The long-delayed US Army thrust over the Roer River, Operation Lumberjack, finally took place in February, placing the US Army along the Rhine. The Rhine represented the last major geographical barrier to the Allied advance into Germany. The plan was for Montgomery's 21st Army Group to leap the Rhine into the Ruhr in a carefully choreographed attack called Operation Plunder. In the event, fortune smiled on the US Army when the 9th Armored unexpectedly found that the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen had not yet been demolished by the Wehrmacht, leaving this one major crossing over the Rhine intact. An armored infantry team supported by the new Pershing tanks stormed the bridge, seized it in fierce fighting and disarmed the charges placed on it. They then held it against numerous counterattacks in which the Germans used conventional tactics and unconventional, including jet bombers, V-2 missiles, and frogmen.

Remagen was not the only impromptu Rhine crossing made by the US Army in central Germany but it was the most dramatic and hardest fought. The irrepressible George Patton, in spite of instructions to stay put, snuck an infantry division across the Rhine in the south, setting the stage for the race into Germany. After reinforcing their two major Rhine crossings, the US Army launched its late-March offensive, encircling Frankfurt, and setting the stage for the defeat of the Wehrmacht in the West. This is a gripping, authoritative account of a crucial battle during the last major set-piece operation of World War II (1939-1945).

About this title

About the Author:

Steven J Zaloga was born in 1952. He received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has published numerous books and articles dealing with modern military technology, especially armored vehicle development. His main area of interest is military affairs in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in World War II, and he has also written extensively on American armored forces. Steven lives and works in Maryland. The author lives in Maryland, USA.

Review:

“Steven J. Zaloga is well known to most readers of military histories in general and armor in particular. His fluid writing style allows the reader to follow along with the events of the time and produces a most enjoyable reading experience. This is further enhanced by the excellent illustrations of Peter Dennis and a well chosen group of period photographs... I've read quite a few books in this series and to me, this is one of the best. It reads well...and holds one's interest from the first to the last page. An excellent book that I know you will enjoy and one that I highly recommend.” ―Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com

“Remagen 1945 recounts the capture of the bridge in the context of the Allied push to the Rhine and the subsequent encirclement of the Ruhr Pocket. In addition to the well-written text, there are excellent photographs, tables of organization, chronology, color maps, and three-dimensional bird's-eye views. Of particular interest to readers of this magazine are the many fine photographs of armored vehicles and artillery pieces and the emphasis on armored operations.” ―Doug Bister, Military Trader Magazine

“In all this is a reference book that is a worthwhile addition to any reference library. Recommended.” ―Henk Meerdink, Armorama (September 2006)

“If there is a 'Golden Age' currently in effect within our hobby, it is not limited to model kits. We are also seeing some of the best work being offered by some of the best authors, artists and publishers ever seen. This book is clearly one more reason why we are indeed in the 'Golden Age.'” ―Frank De Sisto, missing-lynx.com

“[One of many] outstanding coverages in-depth military holdings will welcome.” ―The Bookwatch

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1846030188
• ISBN 13: 9781846030185
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Dennis Peter