bigpigeon.us webpage WWII - Germany > The ETO > Central Europe, updated by RAC 11 Sep 2022.
Most of Germany lies east of the Rhine River in central Europe. The Central European Campaign began with various Rhine crossings in March and ending with the cessation of hostilities on 8 May 1945.
Most of Germany lies east of the Rhine River in central Europe. The Central European Campaign began with various Rhine crossings in March and ending with the cessation of hostilities on 8 May 1945.
Links to Big Pigeon's The ETO > Central Europe subpages:
- Crossing the Rhine, March 1945 (almost done)
- Central Germany, March-May 1945 (almost done)
The first Allied troops entered central Europe when they crossed the Rhine over the bridge at Remagen late on 7 March. The major Rhine crossing occurred downstream in the Wesel area starting late on 23 March. Around six other US Rhine crossings occurred upstream from Remagen in late March.
Casualties were heavy in early April as the US First and Ninth Armies overran the Ruhr industrial area and other large German cities. During the last few weeks of the war, Allied troops sped eastward meeting little German resistance. Some Allied units reached their assigned destinations two weeks before the War with Germany ended.
Although German resistance lessened as the Allies moved across west Germany, overall casualties during the Central European Campaign were still high. I have seen a figure of around 15,000 US deaths.
Casualties were heavy in early April as the US First and Ninth Armies overran the Ruhr industrial area and other large German cities. During the last few weeks of the war, Allied troops sped eastward meeting little German resistance. Some Allied units reached their assigned destinations two weeks before the War with Germany ended.
Although German resistance lessened as the Allies moved across west Germany, overall casualties during the Central European Campaign were still high. I have seen a figure of around 15,000 US deaths.
Sources for Big Pigeon's The ETO > Central Europe webpage:
- The webpage header photo View of the Rhine Gorge was found at en.wikipedia.org and is courtesy of Alexander Hoernigk. Looking upstream, it shows Burg Katz with the Lorelei Rock in the background. It was here that the 89th Infantry Division crossed the Rhine on 26 March 1945. Nine days later, this division liberated the German concentration camp at Ohrdruf.