Pacifica Military History Free Sample Chapters.pmd

Free Sample Chapters 293
First Webb told us that although the Germans had not destroyed the
dams they had accomplished several acts of mischief. In particular, they
had destroyed the powerful dam machinery and discharge valves on the
Schwammenauel and had diverted the water from behind the
Urftallsperre to behind the Schwammenauel. The effect was not, as
feared, an unstoppable torrent of water, but we were faced with stopping
a relentless flow that, unchecked, would flood the Roer valley for about
two weeks. If that happened, the 9th U.S. Army’s drive toward the Rhine
would be seriously delayed and that would have a ripple effect across
the entire SHAEF front. Accord-ing to Webb, it looked as though the
assault would be delayed for about two weeks.
In addition to wrecking the machinery, the Germans had blown part
of the spillway, leaving a big gap on top of the dam. The eighty-foot gap
prevented the 78th Infantry Division from getting any armored support
across the dam to the thin infantry screen defending the bridgehead on
the east bank of the Roer.
Major Webb next directed our attention to his situation map. He told
us that when Operation GRENADE commenced, we were to directly
support the 78th Infantry Division by building a bridge across the gap
in Schwammenauel Dam and thus assure the free flow of armored
vehicles and supplies toward the east. As Webb spoke, Ed Lampp caught
my eye and smiled as if to say, “I told you so!” Indeed he had, many
times over the past few days.
After telling us that the effort undoubtedly would be made under
direct German fire, Webb ended the briefing with a rather too chipper,
“You guys got the contract.”
Before returning to my CP to mount out the battalion, I was taken
aside by Colonel Anderson. He told me that the 291st had been selected
for the job by senior 1st Army officers because of the sterling regard in
which we were held.
Ed and I returned to the CP and called a meeting of senior staff and
line officers to discuss the new and challenging mission. Bill McKinsey
immediately dispatched patrols to survey the entire 78th Division rear
and report back about any damaged or destroyed bridges and stretches
of roadway that needed to be swept for mines or repaired. By then, the