"These Goddamned Tommies!" WTO (id:#62989)

(Dispatches from the Bunker #44 ID: DBOT5)   [next]   [previous]

Rees, Germany 1945-03-25 (6 others)

Overview:

With 1st Gordon’s capture of the Mühlenturm, the last threat to the river crossing was removed and bridge building could resume free of enemy fire. Major Morrison’s B Company, 1st Gordons, was now ordered to move north and clean out what remained of the enemy. The Germans had known at the outset that holding Rees was hopeless. Nonetheless, their orders were to hold out for as long as possible to delay the British operations, and they continued to do this even as they were cornered in the southeastern part of Rees. The grim resolve of the Fallschirmjäger was best summed up by the statement of one of the company commanders, Lt. Martin Pöppel, who said “these goddamned Tommies, we were determined they wouldn’t get us!” As a result of the Germans’ decision to stubbornly hold the position, the attack by B Company ran smack into a tough German defense as the Fallschirmjäger opened up on the Highlanders from well-hidden positions amongst the rubble and ruin of Rees.

Defender: German (Fallschirmjager-Division 8, Sicherungs-Bataillon 1073)  

Errata (source)