During World War II, an incident involving saving a bridge at Remagen, Germany, greatly helped the Allies shorten the war in Europe. A special program about this will be presented at 2:00 p.m., on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14, 2015, by the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society.
Located in the CGH Ryberg Auditorium, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling, IL, the program is open to the public without charge. This topic will be of special interest to veterans and others interested in the history of World War II.
Wolf Koch, an instructor at Sauk Valley College, was born in that area of Germany. He served in the U. S. Air Force, stationed near Remagen. His program is called “Miracle of Remagen.”
The Battle of Remagen during the Allied invasion of Germany resulted in the unexpected capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River and possibly shortened World War II in Europe. After capturing the Siegfried Line, the 9th Armored Division of the U. S. First Army had advanced unexpectedly quickly towards the Rhine. They were very surprised to see that the railroad bridge was still standing.
The Germans had wired the bridge with about 6200 pounds of demolition charges, but when they tried to blow it up, only a portion of the explosives detonated. U. S. forces captured the bridge and rapidly expanded their first bridgehead across the Rhine, two weeks before “Operation Plunder.” This action prevented the Germans from regrouping east of the Rhine and consolidating their positions.
Free tours have resumed at the Historical Society’s Lincoln-Manahan Home Museum. They are available Saturday and Sunday afternoons, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. through Sunday, November 1. The home is located at 607 E. 3rd Street, Sterling.
For further information contact the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society at 815-622-6215.