Brief but deadly German resistance

25th March 1945: Allied troops are across the Rhine - but German troops have to put on a show of resisting

Prime Minister Winston Churchill crosses the River Rhine to the east bank, south of Wesel, in an American Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (or Higgins boat) with Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke and US General William Simpson on 25 March 1945

Air Pictures over the Rhine Battle Area: The ruins of Wesel, 25th March 1945.

Churchill on the east bank of the Rhine, south of Wesel.

The Allies were suddenly firmly established on the east bank of the Rhine. The last natural German defence line had been breached, and the expected battle of attrition had been avoided. This was also a massive psychological blow to many of the German troops; in many minds, there was no rational explanation for why the war should go on.

DUKWs ferrying supplies across the Rhine, 25 March 1945

A Class 40 pontoon bridge over the Rhine nears completion, 25 March 1945.

The Nazis used ever more ruthless measures to deal with anyone even suspected of straggling or desertion. It remained difficult for German troops to surrender, even if they, and sometimes even their officers, saw no point continuing. There were a number of instances of apparently strong resistance suddenly collapsing. Allied troops would come to resent Germans who fought and killed and then, when their position became untenable, suddenly surrendered and expected to be treated honourably.