Crossing the Rhine at Remagen: The Last Push to the German Surrender

Glenn Flickinger leads a conversation with experts and historians on the final push into Germany in World War II, including the crossing of the Rhine at Remagen 80 years ago in March.

By March 1945, World War II in Europe was reaching its final phase. The Allies had advanced deep into Germany, and the last major natural barrier between them and the heart of the Reich was the Rhine River. The unexpected capture of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen by the U.S. Army on March 7, 1945, was a turning point, allowing American forces to establish a bridgehead on the east side of the Rhine. This surprise victory accelerated the collapse of Nazi Germany.

The Rhine River had long been considered a critical defensive line for Germany. Adolf Hitler and his generals believed that by destroying the bridges spanning the river, they could slow the Allied advance and mount a more effective defense. Most of the Rhine crossings had already been demolished by retreating German forces, but at Remagen, the Ludendorff Bridge remained standing, albeit rigged with explosives.

On March 7, 1945, elements of the U.S. 9th Armored Division approached Remagen, expecting to encounter a destroyed bridge. To their astonishment, the Ludendorff Bridge was still intact, albeit heavily damaged. German engineers had attempted to demolish it, but faulty detonators prevented the charges from fully going off.

Recognizing the opportunity, Brigadier General William M. Hoge ordered an immediate assault. A force of infantrymen and engineers rushed the bridge under intense German fire. Despite casualties from machine guns, artillery, and collapsing sections of the bridge, the Americans managed to seize control. Engineers quickly began defusing remaining explosives and reinforcing the structure to support heavy traffic.

The fall of the Ludendorff Bridge was a severe blow to Hitler, who ordered immediate countermeasures. The Germans launched fierce artillery barrages and airstrikes, including attacks by jet-powered Me 262 fighters and V-2 rockets. They even attempted to destroy the bridge with frogmen and a last-ditch commando raid, but none of these efforts succeeded.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army worked frantically to expand the bridgehead, pushing more men, tanks, and supplies across the Rhine. Within days, pontoon bridges were constructed alongside the damaged structure, ensuring a steady flow of troops into the German heartland.

After ten days of heavy use and constant bombardment, the Ludendorff Bridge finally collapsed on March 17, killing 28 U.S. engineers. However, by this point, its purpose had been fulfilled. The Allies had established a firm foothold on the eastern side of the Rhine, shattering Germany’s last major defensive position. Within weeks, U.S. and British forces surged deep into Germany, encircling the Ruhr industrial region and cutting off the last remnants of the Wehrmacht’s effective resistance.

The capture of the bridge at Remagen hastened the end of the war in Europe. With the Rhine crossed, German defenses crumbled rapidly. By April, American and Soviet forces were racing toward Berlin. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally.

The events at Remagen remain one of the most dramatic moments of World War II, a testament to battlefield initiative and the importance of seizing opportunities in war. The bravery of the U.S. 9th Armored Division helped bring the conflict to a swifter conclusion, saving countless lives in the process.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!