March 9, 1945: On the northern side of the western front, Field Marshal Montgomery issues instructions for crossing the Rhine north of the Ruhr.
March 9, 1945: On the northern side of the western front, Field Marshal Montgomery issues instructions for crossing the Rhine north of the Ruhr. Germans abandon their Wesel bridgehead across the Rhine overnight, and blow the last remaining bridge. Canadian 1st Army mops up around Xanten and captures Veen. US 9th Army continues attacking toward Wesel on its left flank - capturing Ossenberg, Borth, and Wallach - and regrouping for the assault across the Rhine. Farther south, US 1st Army mops up around Bonn and works to expand the bridgehead across the Rhine at Remagen, where Erpel is captured. Bonn and Godesberg are captured by units of US 1st Army. Even farther south, toward Koblenz, US 3rd Army units reach the Rhine at Andernach, clearing the town. The German raiding force from the Channel Islands arrives aboard minesweepers, attacks Granville, destroys installations, and releases 67 POWs. They also attack and sink the British vessels Kyle Castle, Nephrite, and Parkwood. ...