cover of episode The Americans Cross the Rhine

The Americans Cross the Rhine

2025/3/5
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Dan Snow's History Hit
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Dan Snow: 80年前，美军在莱茵河上意外发现了一座仍然完好的桥梁，这是纳粹德国最后的天然防线。美军迅速发动了猛烈的进攻，经过与德军的激烈战斗，成功夺取了这座桥梁，并深入德国腹地。这一事件加速了战争的结束。 John McManus: 美军第一军团的快速推进出乎德军和盟军的意料。当他们看到莱茵河上的桥梁仍然完好时，立即决定夺取它。尽管德军已经安装了近三吨的炸药，但引爆时只有部分炸药爆炸，桥梁得以保留。美军在威廉·霍奇准将的指挥下，迅速控制了桥梁，并在东岸建立了桥头堡。这一行动使美军比计划提前了两周，给德军带来了巨大的压力。

Deep Dive

Chapters
American troops discovered an intact bridge over the Rhine, a strategic surprise during WWII. This chapter explores how the discovery unfolded and its significance.
  • The discovery of the intact bridge was unexpected and occurred during the Allied advance into Germany.
  • American troops were surprised to find the bridge still standing as they approached the Rhine.
  • The bridge was crucial because the Germans had destroyed other bridges to prevent Allied crossings.

Shownotes Transcript

80 years ago this week, American forces unexpectedly discovered an intact bridge across the river Rhine - the last natural defence of the crumbling Third Reich. They mounted a ferocious assault and after a bloody battle with the determined German defenders, were able to capture it, and push into the German heartland.

In the latest episode of our 'D-Day to Berlin' series, Dan is joined again by John C. McManus. John explains how the American assault played out, and how it helped to hasten the end of the war.

Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.

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