Today, 75 years ago, units of 6th Airborne and 11th Armoured Divisions achieved their initial bridgeheads over the Weser. These were the opening actions of a series of fierce encounters fought on the three rivers between British VIII and XII Corps and the German 2. Marine-Infanterie-Division and its supporting units. The fighting on the rivers lasted some 11 days and resulted in the deaths in action of large numbers of soldiers from both sides. The encounters are largely forgotten and their dead also. The principal actions took place on the Weser at Stolzenau/Leese, on the Leine at Neustadt (Leine), and on the Aller at Rethem and the Essel forest. The intention of this post is to remember the bravery of the soldiers of both sides who had to prosecute the war to its end and to give name to a representative number of those who fell in action: Lt Frank Fuller - 2 Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Brig Elrington - 71st Infantry Brigade Maj Hemelryk - 1 HLI Mne Unthank - 45 RM Cdo Sgt Wardrop - 5 RTR Tpr Bligh - 3 RTR Wg Cdr Webb Lt Yetman - 8 RB WO2 Baker - 4 KSLI Tpr Forrest - 5 RTR Cpl Henderson - 3 Cdo KKapt Goerdes - Marine-Fuesilier-Bataillon 2 Rfn Downing - 2 KRRC Lt Briggs - Scots Greys Capt Francis - 1 Cheshire VAdm Scheurlen - 2. Marine-Infanterie-Division Tpr Hide - 15/19 Hussars Capt Robins - 13 Fd Sqn RE The 25 of 7 Para killed at Neustadt bridge ‘For these reasons, friend and foe alike, should respect all those who, with the inescapable outcome in front of them, have sacrificed their lives even to the very end, fulfilling their oath of allegiance and fighting for their country.’ Oberst Rolf Geyer, 1a, Oberbefehlshaber Nordwest, April 1945 JDKR