Bridge 10

The 82nd Airborne had indeed achieved a major surprise on that bright September Sunday afternoon in 1944. Shortly after the paratroops had landed, a swift aggressive assault scattered the unprepared German defenders at the Grave crossing. With this important objective …

1944-09-18

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The 82nd Airborne had indeed achieved a major surprise on that bright September Sunday afternoon in 1944. Shortly after the paratroops had landed, a swift aggressive assault scattered the unprepared German defenders at the Grave crossing. With this important objective in hand, the next targets were the four bridges spanning the Maas-Waal canal. These crossings had been designated bridges 7 through 10 to confuse any eavesdropping German intelligence. Number 7, the Heumen lock bridge near Mook, had fallen late in the day—but there were worries it would not support the weight of Sherman tanks. German leadership was now anticipating the 82nd’s plans and blew Bridges 8 and 9 as darkness fell. That left only Bridge 10 near the village of Neerbosch. Early in the gloomy dawn of September 18th, Lt. Lloyd Polette Jr. led his force quickly toward the span. By now, the element of surprise was just a memory, the German defenders were alert, ready, and dug in. (Lt. Polette was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions that morning.)

Grave, Holland

The Battle of Nijmegen or Liberation of Nijmegen occurred in the Netherlands from 17 to 20 September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden during World War II. The Allies' primary goal was to capture the two bridges over the Waal River at Nijmegen – the road route over the Waalbrug (Waal Bridge) and Nijmegen railway bridge – and relieve the British 1st Airborne Division and Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade at Arnhem, 10 miles (16 km) north of Nijmegen. The Allied infantry units at Arnhem were surrounded by German forces, and involved in heavy fighting for control of bridges over the Rhine. Delays caused by hastily-organized German reinforcements at Nijmegen ultimately led to the failure of Operation Market Garden. It took the Allies longer than expected to secure a land route to Arnhem, where the British and Polish forces were forced south of the Rhine and sustained massive casualties. In addition, fighting at Nijmegen cost hundreds of civilian lives, and caused significant damage to many buildings in the city.

Wikipedia: Battle of Nijmegen

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