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Seven men of SS-Jagdeinsatz Donau of SS-Jagdverband Südost.
Opposing Forces
Operation
On March 7th, 1945, American forces capture the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen across the River Rhine, unharmed. This event enables the Allies to form a bridgehead across the Rhine, marking their entry into the heart of Germany. In the days that follow, the Germans make numerous attempts to destroy the bridge from the air, but none succeed. On the evening of March 7th, 1945, Otto Skorzeny is summoned to Führerhauptquartiere at the Chancellery. There, Oberstgeneral Jodl entrusts him with the mission of deploying the kampfschwimmers of SS-Jagdverband Südost to destroy the bridge. Arrangements are already in place to transport the men from Vienna by aircraft.
For the first time, Skorzeny accepts an assignment with reservations. At this time of year, the Rhine’s temperature hovers around zero degrees Celsius. Additionally, the American bridgehead has already extended nearly ten kilometers upstream. Skorzeny expresses his concerns, stating that he sees very little chance of success. He decides that it is up to the kampfschwimmers of SS-Jagdeinsatz Donau to decide if they are willing to undertake the risky operation. These men are flown in from Vienna. They are under the command of Leutnant Schreiber.
Hauptmann Wimmel and Leutnant Schreiber, the commanders of SS-Jagdeinsatz Donau, ultimately chooses to embark on this nearly hopeless mission. It takes days to transport the necessary torpedo mines from the North Sea coast to the Rhine. Several convoys are targeted and attacked by enemy aircraft, delaying the process. Finally, when everything is in place, the American bridgehead has extended sixteen kilometers upstream. That is the distance the kampfschwimmers of SS-Jagdeinsatz Donau have to cover.
March 17th, 1945
On that bitterly cold night, the men begin their swim downstream in the Rhine, carrying the torpedo mines as previously used in Nijmegen. It takes them approximately one and a half hours to reach Remagen. Leutnant Schreiber is confronted with the reality that the enemy has constructed two additional pontoon bridges upstream. Despite the daunting conditions, the unit executes its mission to the best of its abilities. The Ludendorff Bridge is damaged and rendered unusable. Schreiber also aims to destroy one of the pontoon bridges, but his combat swimmers are detected by the Canal Defense Light (CDL) beams, whose locations are impossible to pinpoint.
Leutnant Schreiber loses three men, two of whom succumb to the cold. The remaining swimmers, completely exhausted and half-frozen, are captured by the Americans.
