From the IG Journal 3rd Battalion Irish Guards remained in the area of the NIJMEGEN bridges and carried out a role of local protection. The period was quiet and uneventful and from time to time the Bn was visited by the Corps, Div and Bde Commanders for the purpose of inspecting the defences. This covers dates from 16 Oct to 11 Nov, but excl 4 days when 1st Battalion Welsh Guards were briefly in the role from 31 Oct to 3 Nov 1944 before they were hastily ordered to Venlo. My father took his turn on the bridge as look out and shot what he thought was a mine floating downstream ... officers alerted by the sound of his bren rushed over with their field glasses only for JOE V to declare that fortunately it was just the bloated corpse of a dead cow.
My Grandfather passed over this bridge with the 43rd Division on 22 September 1944 to set up a Field Ambulance in Nijmegen. Are there any pictures available taken immediately after the bridge was captured that depict the hanging, dead German soldiers who were killed whilst tied to the bridge superstructure by straps? Not pleasant viewing but it is in relation to some research I'm doing. Thanks.
The Germans were determined to take the bridges out and some of the Kommando troops under the orders of Otto Skorzeny made several attempts using combat swimmers to take out trhe bridges, several were captured - not sure of their fates.
Some info about them here Steve: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/special-forces/3653-german-special-forces-2.html A patient of mine was involved in capturing the officer in charge.
Final one, view from downstream showing all 3 bridges: Another view. another bridge is that four, this bridge does not appear to be between the other two, or was it a ferry jetty. nice ambulance, regards loftY Picture taken about 1997 the veteran is CHARLES CARTER, Guards Amoured Div, came over the bridge with 30 Corps, came over it again in the k2, he said it was more fun than 1944, unfortunately he is now very poorly. lofty
Nice pic Lofty-They look like Royal Enginners on the river bank. I wonder if thats Sapper at the bottom doing the DR bit he mentioned in post 9
Let me add something that needs explaining. My company was seldom together .Indeed they were spraed all over the place, some time many miles apart. looking back now, I often wonder how we found the company again, for they were constantly on the move. At times, we had small groups all over the country, it does amaze me that wen managed to find, and rejoin our own company. The other thing is dates? and sequences. Sometimes what I write about is certainly out if sequence. I make no apology for that its a bloody long time ago. Cheers Sapper
What wonderful photographs. My interests have lead me to contact with a few veterans who made that incredibly brave Waal crossing with the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division, its great to see a picture that shows, to some extent, the area west of the railway bridge. If only they were a little further west. Adam
That DR was not me. When I came to the bridge, I went over as fast as an army bike would go..... But despite this keen young fellows recce, and finding a harbour for the company, it was a complete waste of time. We went the other way.... When I got back, no one even bothered with the info I had so carefully collected for our "Harbour Area" My DR duties were an addition to my normal Sapper activities, and I also think that being the youngest ans probably the most naive... I was loaded with the worst DR jobs. I did not know better! I have often wondered had I not volunteered... Would I have returned intact? Or would fate have found something even worse? makes you think! Sapper
I live a few miles from the Waalbridge and do the bridgewalk once a week. I go up the railroadbridge and walk over the dike though lent to the Waalbridge. Even for me its always great and you can smell the history. greetings ronnie
Hello Ronnie and welcome to the forum. I'll be visiting the bridge in October and i'm really looking forward to it. How about taking some photos of the area and putting them on the forum? Jonathan.
Hello Jonathan,about the pictures,do you mean me or you taking some pictures? When you come to Nijmegen maybe we can meet,i can tell you a lot of stories about the bridge and the days of wwII. Ronnie
Thou a sailor I have walked that bridge a lot of time during the 4-days march in that area. sure great pics
