Operation Widgeon

Allied Forces

• 21st Army Group
• British Second Army
  • XII Corps
    • 15^th (Scottish) Infantry Division
    • 52^nd (Lowland) Airlanding Infantry Division
    • 8^th Army Group Royal Artillery (AGRA)
  • XXX Corps
    • 51^st (Highland) Infantry Division
    • 1^st Commando Brigade
      • No. 5 Combined Operations Pilotage Party
      • No. 3 Commando
      • No. 6 Commando
      • No. 45 (Royal Marine) Commando
      • No. 46 (Royal Marine) Commando
    • 79^th Armoured Division (specialized armored vehicles)
    • 8^th Armoured Brigade
  • II Canadian Corps
    • 9^th Canadian Infantry Brigade
• U.S. Ninth Army
  • XVI Corps
    • 30^th Infantry Division
    • 79^th Infantry Division
    • 8^th Armored Division (in reserve)
  • XIII and XIX Corps (in reserve)
  • XVIII Airborne Corps
    • 6^th Airborne Divison (British)
    • 17^th Airborne Division (U.S.)
    • Office of Strategic Services Teams

Axis Forces

• Heeresgruppe H
  • 1. Fallschirm-Armee
    • II. Fallschirm-Korps
      • 6. Fallschirmjäger-Division
      • 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division
      • 8. Fallschirmjäger-Division
    • LXXXVI. Armeekorps:
      • 180. Infanterie-Division
      • 190. Infanterie-Division
    • XLVII. Panzerkorps:
      • 116. Panzer-Division “Widhund”
      • 15. Panzergrenadier-Division

Operation

Operation Widgeon forms a crucial part of Montgomery’s Rhine-crossing offensive, Operation Plunder, unfolding in late March 1945. Its purpose is to capture the German city of Wesel, a strategic communications centre on the eastern bank of the Rhine, and to deny the enemy its use. Wesel lies between the designated British and American crossing sectors, and if allowed to remain in German hands, poses a serious threat to the flanks of the British Second Army and the U.S. Ninth Army as they attempt their crossing.

Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks’s British XII Corps assigns the mission to Brigadier Derek Mills-Roberts’s 1^st Commando Brigade (formerly 1^st Special Service Brigade), who train intensively for a fortnight in river crossings, rehearsing on the Maas River in early March. The operation hinges on speed and surprise. The commandos are to cross under the cover of night, launching their assault moments after a concentrated Royal Air Force bombing raid and a coordinated artillery barrage. Rather than clearing the entire city, they are to strike directly into Wesel’s northern industrial quarter, centred around a large facility mistakenly dubbed the “Wire Factory”, and establish a tight defensive perimeter.

The commandos are strictly ordered to leave no evidence at their crossing site. All supplies are to be carried with them; no beachhead or supply dumps are to be established, preserving ambiguity about their presence and strength. Heavy anti-tank guns are left behind to maintain speed, with commanders optimistically relying on the destruction caused by the bombing to hinder German armour. They also hope to seize Panzerfausts on the ground to bolster their anti-tank defence.

The tactical objective is clear: seize Wesel quickly with a surprise night-time strike, hold its northern edge, and thereby secure a foothold east of the Rhine to protect the main Allied crossings and facilitate the advance. Royal Air Force bombers and over 5,500 Allied artillery pieces are tasked with devastating the city immediately prior to the assault. Field Marshal Montgomery himself later describes the bombing of Wesel as a “masterpiece,” essential in enabling Allied troops to breach the city by midnight.

The core of Operation Widgeon is the British 1^st Commando Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Mills-Roberts. It comprises No. 3 Commando and No. 6 Commando (Army), and No. 45 (Royal Marine) Commando and No. 46 (Royal Marine) Commando. Each is a battalion-sized elite unit trained in amphibious operations.

Supporting elements include the 84^th Field Company, Royal Engineers, who provide the storm boats; the 77^th Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers, 79th Armoured Division, operating Buffalo vehicles; and No. 5 Combined Operations Pilotage Party swimmers, who reconnoitre and mark landing zones. Forward Observation Officers from the 1^st Mountain Regiment, Royal Artillery cross with the first wave to direct artillery.

On March 24^th, 1945, the 1^st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment crosses the river to relieve and reinforce the commandos. Meanwhile, the British 6^th Airborne Division and the U.S. 17th Airborne Division land to the north, and units from the 15^th (Scottish) Infantry Division and U.S. 30^th Infantry Division attack south and east of Wesel.

German forces in Wesel belong to General Schlemm’s 1 Fallschirm Armee, primarily the battle-worn II. Fallschirm-Korps, supported by Wehrmacht and Volkssturm troops. They also employ limited numbers of tanks and assault guns in counterattacks.

March 23rd, 1945

By the late afternoon, Wesel is under intense bombardment. At approximately 17:30, medium bombers strike the area, followed by a devastating aerial assault in the evening. Over 200 Royal Air Force Lancasters and Mosquitos drop nearly 2,000 tonnes of high explosives, reducing much of the city to rubble.

At 22:00, British XII Corps opens its artillery barrage. Under cover of this bombardment and the night sky, the 1^st Commando Brigade begins its crossing. Small reconnaissance parties from No. 5 Combined Operations Pilotage Party swim the Rhine under moonlight to assess and mark the far bank.

At around 21:30, the first wave embarks. No. 46 (Royal Marine) Commando and brigade tactical HQ board four Buffalo tracked amphibious vehicles operated by Royal Engineers. They cross the 275-metre-wide river in approximately four minutes. One Buffalo is struck and ignites, possibly by friendly fire, causing several casualties. Despite this, No. 46 (Royal Marine) Commando secures a foothold on the muddy plain of Grav Insel west of Wesel, quickly storming two riverside buildings, known locally as Wardtmann’s Häuser, neutralising the German defenders.

No. 6 Commando follows in wooden storm boats launched by the 84^th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Several engines fail mid-crossing and some boats are hit by German fire. Rescue boats recover most survivors, but a few men drown, including an attached artillery observer.

Nevertheless, by 23:00, the majority of No. 6 Commando have landed and join forces with No. 46 (Royal Marine) Commando. The Buffaloes return to the west bank to collect the second wave: No. 3 Commando and No. 45 (Royal Marine) Commando. Between 22:30 and 23:00, as a final wave of Royal Air Force bombers illuminates the sky and tracer fire lights up the battlefield, these units cross under the glow of burning buildings.

By midnight, all four Commando units have landed and push inland. The surprise is complete; the German garrison is caught unaware. As the last bombs fall, the commandos begin their advance into the ruins of Wesel. No. 6 Commando leads the way, marking a path with white tape. They quickly overrun a German anti-aircraft battery on the outskirts and continue deeper into the shattered city. Within an hour, forward elements of the brigade are entering Wesel.

March 24th, 1945

In the early hours, the brigade secures central Wesel. By 01:00, units reach the city centre, and No. 45 (Royal Marine) Commando takes control of the Wire Factory, revealed to be a lavatory-seat factory, not a wireworks, by 02:00. The factory becomes a vital strongpoint.

The commandos spread out across Wesel’s northern and north-western sectors, digging in and forming a defensive line. No. 45 (Royal Marine) Commando holds the Wire Factory while the other three units extend the line westward. Their orders are to prevent any German movement through Wesel and deny use of its roads and riverbank. Lance-Corporal John Sykes earns the Military Medal for repeatedly retrieving his Bren gun under fire, holding off the enemy without artillery cover.

Despite the shock of the bombardment, isolated German defenders, mainly Fallschirmjäger from the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division, offer pockets of resistance. Many are disoriented or cut off, allowing Commando teams to clear buildings and capture prisoners. In one notable encounter, a British patrol locates the headquarters of General Friedrich Deutsch, Wesel’s garrison commander, just 100 metres from the brigade Headquarters. He refuses to surrender and is shot dead. British forces recover detailed defence maps from his command post.

By dawn, hundreds of prisoners have been taken, and the commandos hold the northern sector. However, they remain vulnerable, lacking heavy weapons or supplies. At 10:00, Operation Varsity begins. British 6^th Airborne Division and U.S. 17^th Airborne Division land north of Wesel, 5 to 8 kilometres beyond the city.

To protect the airborne troops, British artillery ceases fire during their descent. This pause creates a window for the Germans. Around 09:00–10:00, German forces mount a major counterattack from the north. Waves of infantry, supported by Panzer IV tanks and Sturmgeschütz assault guns, assault the brigade perimeter, focusing on No. 45 (Royal Marine) Commando at the Wire Factory.

A fierce battle breaks out. Commandos use rifles, Bren guns, and PIAT launchers to repel the German infantry. Vickers machine guns provide crucial suppressive fire. However, the tanks cause casualties among the defenders, who are without anti-tank artillery. For a time, the commandos hold out alone, with no artillery support until the airborne troops have fully landed.

The German attack falters. The enemy tank crews hesitate, wary of imminent Allied fire. After midday, British artillery resumes, striking German armour and concentrations. By early afternoon, the counterattack is broken.

Later that day, the 1^st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment arrives by Buffalo vehicles, landing near the destroyed railway bridge south of Wesel. Their arrival allows the commandos to expand their control and begin clearing the town in depth. Block by block, they root out snipers and isolated defenders.

By nightfall, 1^st Commando Brigade links up with U.S. 17^th Airborne units to the north. A brief friendly fire incident occurs when an American patrol accidentally wounds a British officer before realising their mistake. Nevertheless, the operation succeeds in joining the airborne and river assault forces.

March 25th, 1945

Throughout, Allied troops consolidate control of Wesel. The last German defenders are flushed out, and minor counterattacks are defeated. With the support of the Cheshires and arriving armour, the commandos beat off several final German probes by afternoon.

By evening, Wesel is firmly in Allied hands. Engineers begin constructing bridges across the Rhine. Montgomery’s 21st Army Group now streams across the river, its momentum unhindered.

Operation Widgeon’s success removes Wesel as a threat to the Allied Rhine crossings. The city’s fall facilitates the main thrust into Germany and the Ruhr industrial heartland.

Aftermath

Allied losses are relatively low. The 1^st Commando Brigade suffers around 95 casualties: 11 killed, 17 missing, and 67 wounded. Some are lost during the storm boat crossings or in urban combat. German losses are far higher, several hundred killed and over 850 captured.

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