Eighty years ago, on February 23, 1945, the United States launched Operation Grenade, a significant military offensive during World War II that aimed to breach the German defenses along the Roer River. This operation was a response to the stalled Allied advance following the failed Operation Market Garden the previous year, which had aimed to secure key bridges in the Netherlands but ended in disappointment due to a combination of strategic errors and intelligence failures.
Operation Grenade commenced with an intense artillery bombardment involving 2,000 guns, described by historians as a sound akin to "thundering Armageddon." The assault marked the beginning of a coordinated effort by General William Simpson’s Ninth Army, which consisted of over 350,000 troops, including ten divisions and substantial air and armored support. The operation was designed to seize the German cities of Julich, Linnich, and Duren, which were critical to the Allies’ push towards the Rhine River.
The American forces faced immediate challenges as they attempted to cross the Roer River. Heavy rains had caused the river to swell, complicating the crossing efforts. Engineers worked under fire to construct footbridges, while some troops resorted to small boats to reach the eastern bank, where they encountered fierce resistance from German defenders. Despite these obstacles, the 175th Infantry Regiment successfully crossed the river and advanced toward Julich, where they encountered the Citadel—a heavily fortified structure that had withstood prior bombardments.
By nightfall on the first day of the operation, American forces had captured much of Julich, although the Citadel remained a stronghold of German resistance. The following day, the Americans succeeded in taking the Citadel, a strategic victory that contributed to the overall success of Operation Grenade. The operation inflicted significant casualties on German forces, with reports indicating around 45,000 German troops were lost, including over 29,000 captured. In contrast, U.S. forces incurred more than 7,000 casualties.
The swift execution of Operation Grenade showcased the effectiveness of Allied coordination and military strategy, as the Ninth Army quickly moved to capture the industrial city of Munchen-Gladbach, setting the stage for further advances towards the Rhine. The New York Times reported on the operation with a headline that highlighted the momentum gained by Allied forces, emphasizing the strategic importance of this offensive in the broader context of the war.
As the Allies continued their push into Germany, Operation Grenade marked a turning point, contributing to the eventual collapse of Hitler’s regime just months later. The operation not only demonstrated the might of the U.S. military but also underscored the shifting tide of the war in favor of the Allies, as the Soviet forces simultaneously launched their offensives in the east.