Five Times Across
by
Rick Reeves
The autumn of 1944 witnessed the turning in the events of the war. Following the successful landings of Operation Overlord, the Allies struggled to remove the Germans from occupied Europe. However, in order to avoid losing the initiative, the Allies launched a daring assault that would ultimately lead to the fall of Hitler's Third Reich and the end of World War II in Europe
By the middle of September 1944, the decisive point in the plan fell to the 82nd Airborne Division and hinged on seizing the Bridges over the rivers surrounding the German heartland. Both the Allies and the Germans recognized the bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen as a critical link in this system. Consequently, with the Germans on the far shore well defended and prepared for the inevitable advance, the Allies suffered from their withering fire and extremely accurate artillery.
Understanding the situation and the critical importance to the war effort, MG Gavin ordered the impossible, cross the river under daylight. In the early hours of the 20th of September 1944, elements of the 307th Engineer Battalion (Airborne) and the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Airborne) assembled British Pontoon Boats. Using their helmets and rifle stocks, the All American Engineers started to ferry the paratroopers of the 504th PIR across the Waal River
As the casualties mounted under the intense and accurate fire of the Germans, the paratroopers reached the enemy shore. While the infantrymen assembled on the river banks, the Sappers immediately returned for a second load of soldiers to carry on the battle. Again, they survived the merciless fire to deliver their brothers to the far shore. All told, the Engineers traversed the Waal River 5 times while enduring the constant barrage of enemy machine gun and artillery fire.
"Five Times Across" captures the valiant efforts of the 307th Engineer Battalion and the 504th PIR. Together, Engineers and Infantryman seized the far shore of the Waal River and secured the Nijmegen Bridge for the Allied war effort.
200 Public Edition
Image Size: 21" x 19"

Public Edition Price:Sold Out

Copyright ©2003 Military Art Gallery