Bridge at Remagen Museum (Friedensmuseum Brucke von Remagen)
Details:
Along the Rhine River bike west bank path in the bridge tower; up the staircase to the first level. Museum
A museum that remembers the US Army capture of the Remagen Bridge and subsequent crossing of the Rhine River in March 1945. The museum is housed in the west bank tower of the former bridge (also known as the Ludendorff Bridge). The museum has numerous displays remembering the capture of the bridge and the people impacted by the event. A special display remembers LT Karl Timmermann of the 9th Armored Division (Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion) who led the attack across the bridge and to several other soldiers to include Sergeant Alexander Drabik considered the first across the bridge.
Today the Peace Museum at the Remagen Bridge motto is "Every day let us work for peace with our mind and heart. Each person should begin with himself." Website: https://bruecke-remagen.de
Background:
In early March 1945, Allied troops had reached the west bank of the Rhine River along most of the river's length, north of the city of Köln. Although most bridges spanning the river were blown up as American troops reached them, one was not. The Ludendorff Railroad Bridge at Remagen, between Koblenz and Bonn, was captured intact by troops of the US 9th Armored Division (1st US Army) on March 7, 1945. The 27th Armored Infantry Battalion fought their way across the bridge under intense enemy fire as the Germans attempted to destroy it with demolition charges. Several explosions damaged part of the bridge, but the main charges failed to fire and the bridge remained standing.
Within a week of crossing the Rhine over the Ludendorff Bridge, seven US divisions had established themselves in strength east of the Rhine. On March 17, 1945, the Ludendorff, severely damaged in the fighting ten days earlier and weakened further from the strain of heavy traffic, collapsed into the Rhine. Having crossed the Rhine, the Allied armies prepared to drive into the interior of Germany.
Source: US Army History website
Monument Text:
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
1st US Army
27th Armored Infantry Battalion
78th Infantry Division
99th Infantry Division
9th Armored Division
9th Infantry Division
Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division
United States Navy
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
