The Bridge At Remagen: A Story of World War II (Presidio War Classic) - Softcover

Ken Hechler

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0891418601 ISBN 13: 9780891418603

Publisher: Presidio Press, 2005

Synopsis

On 7 March 1945, the Allied nations thrilled to the news of a stunning victory. Shortly after three o'clock in the afternoon, a small group of American infantrymen, engineers and tank personnel captured the Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen and made their way across the Rhine. From that victory sprang momentous consequences: Field Marshal von Rundstedt was dismissed as Commander-in-Chief of the German armies in the West, and nearly 50,000 German soldiers were taken as prisoners of war. Germany's defeat was brought weeks closer - saving thousands of American and British lives. The Bridge at Remagen, based on extensive interviews with German and American participants, is the first complete account of what happened on that fateful day. It is the story of a great risk boldly accepted, and of the surprising way in which a handful of men, acting with daring and initiative, altered the course of history. The story was made into a classic motion picture starring Robert Vaughn and George Segal. Ken Hechler entered the US Army as a draftee in 1942, received his commission as second lieutenant in the armoured forces, and emerged as a major with five battle stars after service in the European theatre of operations. He subsequently became a successful politician, a career which he continues to enjoy.

About this title

Review:

"One of the best [books] on the war that I have read."
-Harry S. Truman

"A blow-by-blow account that probably comes as close to the truth as history can hope to approach."
-The New York Times

"An absorbing story . . . a great contribution to military history."
-General Matthew B. Ridgeway

Synopsis:

One of the most fantastic breaks of World War II, the capture of the great Ludendorf bridge across the Rhine, saved thousands of American lives and opened the invasion of Germany. On March 7th, 1945, the free world thrilled to the news of a stunning victory. Shortly after three o'clock that afternoon, a small group of American infantrymen, engineers and tank soldiers captured the Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen, and were across the Rhine. From that victory sprang momentous consequences: Field Marshal von Rundstedt was dismissed as Commander in Chief of the German Armies in the West; nearly 50,000 German soldiers were taken as prisoners of war. Germany's defeat was brought weeks closer - saving thousands of American and British lives. The Bridge at Remagen, based on extensive interviews with German and American participants, is the first complete, authoritative account of what happened on that fateful day. It is the story of a great risk boldly accepted, and of the surprising way in which a handful of men, acting with daring and initiative, altered the course of history. The story was made into a classic motion picture starring George Segal.

About this edition

• Publisher: Presidio Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0891418601
• ISBN 13: 9780891418603
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 272