Search results
Hitler’s hopes for a victorious last stand were dashed when, on March 7, 1945, elements of the 9th U.S. Armored Division captured the still-standing Ludendorff railroad bridge over the 980-foot-wide Rhine at the town of Remagen, between Cologne and Koblenz.
In just over nine hours the 85th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion built the l,047-foot ponton; open to traffic at 1512 on D-day, it was named the Alexander Patch Bridge for the Seventh Army commander.
General Alexander McCarrell Patch (November 23, 1889 – November 21, 1945) was a senior United States Army officer who fought in both world wars, rising to rank of general. During World War II, he commanded U.S. Army and Marine Corps forces during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific, and the Seventh Army on the Western Front in Europe .
- 1913–1945
- United States Army
Photograph of the Alexander M. Patch bridge across the Rhine River at Worms. The old bridge, which was blown down by the Germans during their retreat, is visible to the left. Physical Description. 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm. Creation Information. Creator: Unknown. April 1, 1945. Context.
The General Alexander M. Patch Highway Bridge, completed under supervision of the 333rd Engineers, connects Mainz with Kastel. It is the first semi-permanent highway span over the Rhine into the American Occupation Zone. 2000 feet long, it stretches over 1850 feet of water by means of 27 steel piers.
General Alexander M. Patch Highway Bridge. General Patch Bridge. Trusses fabricated in place on timber pile falsework. From the Mainz abutment, stringers start toward mid-stream as wet piles are riven thru template by Diesel-operated rig. View from Mainz toward Kastel.
US Vehicles cross the River Rhine on the Alexander Patch Pontoon Bridge near Worms, Germany - March 28, 1945. This pontoon bridge, built by the 85th Engineers, replaces the ruined bridge at right, which was destroyed by retreating German forces.
