Rhine Crossing: Approach to the Rhine


AT WELLMICH, ST. GOAR AND OBERWESAL MARCH 26, 1945
Prepared by Richard M Lee, Philip D. P. McAuliffe and John F. Sherman

On 24 March 1945 the 89th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Thomas D. Finley and assigned to VIIIth Army Corps of General George Patton's Third U.S. Army, moved northeast by motor from the scene of combat operations in the Nahe-Kirn-Sobernheim district to assembly areas ten kilometers west of St. Goar. (Birkenbach-Brubach-Laubach). On the Division left (north), poised to assault the Rhine at Boppard, was the 87th Infantry Division. To its right (north) in assembly area was the 76th Infantry Division, just withdrawn as a covering force to shield the advance of the 89th and 87th Divisions to the line of the Rhine.

Attack Orders: On 25 March VIII Corps ordered the 89th and 87th Divisions to cross the Rhine River at 0100 26 March at St. Goar and Boppard.

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