Wesel Railway Bridge

The Wesel Railway Bridge become a bridge on the Haltern–Venlo railway, constructed as part of the Hamburg–Venlo railway with the aid of the Cologne-Minden Railway Company, and opened on 1 March 1874. The 1,950-metre long railway bridge at Wesel changed into the final Rhine bridge last in German hands in the course of World War II. The 371st Engineer Construction Battalion moved by means of a convoy code named "Boobie Trap" on March 29, 1945, from Geldern, to Menzelen, 9 kilometres north of Alpen, Germany, preparing to move northeast toward Wesel and the Rhine River rail bridge.

The Ninth and British 2d have been pushing east at a fast pace, so the engineering companies started out running 12-hour shifts of 10 days on, 2 off, on the Rhine River Bridge task. The bridge was a excessive-stage kind, about 23 metres above excessive water, and of metallic construction to support heavy shipping trains. The river depth, among 6 to 11 metres, and eleven km/h modern-day made falling into the water a risky proposition. Airplanes supplied safety along side anti-aircraft gun emplacements and lights on the ground. The Germans have been unable to pinpoint the location of the bridge construction venture.