The Bridge at Remagen

[Jack Flash]

On this date in 1945, the US Army captured the Ludendorff Bridge that spanned the Rhine River. I happened to see part of the movie recently, which made me think of my Dad.

Dad never spoke much of his experiences in WWII. Later in life he did open up a little bit. One thing he told me was that he drove a Jeep over the Remagen bridge. I had asked him about what bad shape the bridge was in and didn't it look like it was about to collapse at any minute.

He simply answered "I had that Jeep going for all it was worth."

 

[Rule3]

My Sister FIL was there. This gun ( M 1917 Govt Issue) was his and was there, as well as Korea. He was a full Colonial. He is listed in the Library of Congress(with his history) I have the holster also. The holster marked RIA may actually started as a 1911 holster but the gun was carried in this and can see the stretch marks on the "snap"
I found the touched up pic of the Col somewhere in Europe. You can see the gun on his side,

 

[6518John]

I LOVED the movie about it! I don't think it was terribly historically accurate but I still enjoyed it. My dad let me stay up past my bedtime to watch it--same with Where Eagles Dare--so they hold fond memories for me.

 

[billwill]

Don't we all wish that we could have recorded the history that our parents participated in.

I encourage all folks to record your voice telling what you experienced in life for your kids and grand kids to have.

Let them hear history from the source, not from a PC history book.

 

[16thVACav]

A great movie, based on the book by my old congressman, Ken Hechler, who was attached to the 9th Armored Division.

 

[Absalom]

Not too many American tourists hit the Rhine this far north, but if you take a boat trip from Bonn to Koblenz, you float past the remnants of the Ludendorff Bridge, the still pretty stark-looking tower entrances on the banks. (Not my photo, last time I took the trip was pre-digital age).

 

[Rule3]

added a pic to Post #2

 

[fiasconva]

My wife's favorite uncle, Uncle Buddy, (her dad's brother)was the driver of the first vehicle that made it across the bridge. He told us about the experience and said his vehicle was called up because it was the fastest one of the group. After the war he left his tiny little town in NC and settled in Wamego, Kansas where he worked at Ft. Riley as a welder. He passed away about 5 years ago at the ripe old age of 94.

 

[Bat Guano]

In my dad's stuff there is a picture of him on that bridge; he was in the combat engineers.

He left us in 2005, aged 94.

 

[Ogandydancer]

I enjoy both "The Bridge At Remagen" and, "A Bridge Too Far". A few others I like are Where Eagles Dare, Castle Keep, Force Ten From Navarone, The Guns Of Navarone, The Devils Brigade, Midway, Tora Tora Tora, In Harm's Way. I could go on.

 

[the ringo kid]

When I was touring Germany in 2000, I came within a few miles from where the Ludendorf bridge was located. I wanted to stop for a few reasons-but our schedule wouldnt permit it. One reason I wanted to stop-is I wanted to meet Erich Topp in person. His home is/was located near the bridge.

 

[the ringo kid]

I enjoy both "The Bridge At Remagen" and, "A Bridge Too Far". A few others I like are Where Eagles Dare, Castle Keep, Force Ten From Navarone, The Guns Of Navarone, The Devils Brigade, Midway, Tora Tora Tora, In Harm's Way. I could go on.

Ive got several stills from some of those movies posted here somewhere.

One still is similar to this one: but not in color.

This one is another and exact image:

Ive only a few from W.E.D, and about 20 from Midway and Tora Tora Tors.