Operation Flashpoint (March 1945) facts for kids
Operation Flashpoint was an important military action during the final months of World War II. It was part of a larger plan called Operation Plunder. The main goal was for the Ninth United States Army to cross the lower Rhine River in Germany. This happened between March 22 and March 28, 1945. The Ninth Army successfully created safe areas, called bridgeheads, on the eastern side of the Rhine. These bridgeheads were located between the towns of Wesel and Walsum.
Starting the Attack
Operation Flashpoint was led by General William H. Simpson. Two main groups of soldiers, the 30th Infantry Division and the 79th Infantry Division, led the attack. They crossed the Rhine in different areas. The German forces defending this part of the river were from the 1st Parachute Army. Their commander, Alfred Schlemm, was injured just before the operation began. Another general, Günther Blumentritt, took over command on March 27.
Building Bridges Across the Rhine
Crossing the wide Rhine River was a huge challenge. Engineers from the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion were responsible for building bridges. On the night of March 23, they quickly built two temporary rafts. These rafts helped move equipment across the river.
The next morning, they started building a much stronger bridge. This bridge was designed to carry heavy military vehicles. It began at 9:45 AM and was finished by 4:00 PM. This was incredibly fast! The first truck crossed the floating bridge just six hours and fifteen minutes after construction started. This set a new record for building such a large bridge. They used over 1,152 feet of special bridge sections and 93 inflatable floats to complete it.
Breaking Out and Linking Up
Once the first bridge was ready, more American soldiers crossed the Rhine. The 75th Infantry Division crossed on March 24. The 35th Infantry Division followed on March 25 and 26. After the 8th Armored Division also crossed, the Ninth Army was ready to push forward.
They moved along the northern edge of the Ruhr Pocket, which was a large area where German forces were trapped. On April 1, the Ninth Army met up with the First United States Army near Lippstadt. The First Army had been advancing from the south. This meeting completely surrounded a large group of German soldiers, known as Army Group B, led by Walter Model. This was a major victory for the Allied forces.
