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Operation Plunder
Operation Plunder was an Allied military operation to cross the Rhine River that began after nightfall on 23 March 1945. The crossing was conducted by the British Second Army and the US Ninth Army and was launched across the Rhine simultaneously at three locations in North Rhine/Westphalia. Allied forces were able rapidly to establish a bridgehead on the east bank of the Rhine that by 27 March extended 35 miles along the river and 20 miles inland.
Supporting Operation Plunder was Operation Varsity, which opened on 24 March and involved a massive air assault on the east bank of the Rhine in the same areas by the First Allied Airborne Army (consisting of the US XVIII Airborne Corps and 17th Airborne Division, and the British 6th Airborne Division).
The Allied units involved in Operation Plunder and Operation Varsity encountered desperate German resistance but were able to overcome it quickly due mainly to the lack of German defensive resources.
13th Mar 1945 Preparations
19th Mar 1945 Ammunition
20th Mar 1945 Moves
20th Mar 1945 Into Position
20th Mar 1945 Artillery in Action
21st Mar 1945 Preparations
21st Mar 1945 Conference
21st Mar 1945 Shelling
22nd Mar 1945 Gun Pits
22nd Mar 1945 Locations Marked
23rd Mar 1945 In Action
23rd Mar 1945 Into Position
23rd Mar 1945 Advance
23rd Mar 1945 Advance
24th Mar 1945 In Action
24th March 1945 Attack Made
24th Mar 1945 Report
25th Mar 1945 Advance
25th Mar 1945 Bridges
26th Mar 1945 Preparations
26th Mar 1945 Objectives Taken
26th Mar 1945 Bridges
30th Mar 1945 Guard Duty
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Those known to have fought in Operation Plunder during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Hanley Matthew. Pte. (d.24th Mar 1945)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
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Want to know more about Operation Plunder? There are:23 items tagged Operation Plunder available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Pte. Matthew Hanley 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.24th Mar 1945) Matthew Hanley served with 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment I have found the following war diary entry concerning the action (Operation Plunder, crossing of the Rhine near Rees) on 24th of March 1945 that took the life of Matthew Hanley.
"D Day. 0200hrs. H Hour 15th (S) Division. Storm boats take over assault wave of two Brigades. 0230hrs. 44th Brigade report all LVTs over the River. 227th Brigade report opposition. LVTs held up by heavy machine gun fire. A Coy forward elements unable to land at first attempt. The positions were held by the enemy, Arty was called for. A Coy landed, but had to clear bund of enemy before communications were established. 0830hrs. All Bank wireless communication established at crossing points, dispersal and concentration areas. Casualties: A Coy sector Killed: 5345451 Pte Handley [sic] M, 14800992 Pte Garnett P, Wounded: 60896941 L/Cpl Lacey J, 5780007 Pte Breeze E (Signaller), 6089705 Pte Penney R (Stretcher Bearer), 5115115 Pte Vann R, 1449547 Pte Dubitt D. 1000hrs. Forward Control established. Airbourne forces passing over to Dropping Zones. Ferries operating normally. Some shelling, and at night low level machine gunning attacks were made."
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