From D-Day to V-Day
March 1945
March 31, 1945 - D-Day + 298
The British Guards Armoured Division under the British Second Army’s British XXX Corps attacked Haaksbergen.
more informationMarch 30, 1945 - D-Day + 297
The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division under the British Second Army’s II Canadian Corps finished occupying Emmerich, and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division conquered Elten.
more informationMarch 29, 1945 - D-Day + 296
The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division under the British Second Army’s II Canadian Corps continued to do battle in Emmerich.
more informationMarch 28, 1945 - D-Day + 295
Regiments from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division under the British Second Army’s II Canadian Corps attacked Emmerich am Rhein. Units from the British XXX Corps reached the Haldern – Isselburg – Anholt line.
more informationMarch 27, 1945 - D-Day + 294
The British 51st Infantry Division under the British Second Army’s British XXX Corps entered Isselburg while the British 43rd Infantry Division reached Mechelen.
more informationMarch 26, 1945 - D-Day + 293
Forces from the British Second Army’s British XXX Corps expanded its bridgehead all the way to the Issel River. The British 51st Infantry Division finished mopping up Rees and went on to attack Isselburg, while the British 43rd Infantry Division reached Millingen.
more informationMarch 25, 1945 - D-Day + 292
Except for several small enemy footholds, throughout the day the British 51st Infantry Division under the British Second Army’s British XXX Corps mopped up all of Rees.
more informationMarch 24, 1945 - D-Day + 291
In the night from March 23-24, 1945, the Allies launched an assault crossing of the Rhine in the Wesel sector.
more informationMarch 23, 1945 - D-Day + 290
Following strong artillery preparations and aerial bombings, at 2100 hrs the 21st Army Group launched Operation Plunder – the land-based part of the battle to cross the Rhine.
more informationMarch 22, 1945 - D-Day + 289
During the day, forces from the VII Corps regrouped, replenished and made just limited attacks in their effort to improve their positions from which they would launch a planned coordinated offensive.
more informationMarch 21, 1945 - D-Day + 288
The 78th Infantry Division's 311th Infantry Regiment under the US First Army advanced to the Sieg River in Meindorf while its sister 310th Infantry Regiment occupied Hangelar, Niederpleis, Mülldorf, Siegburg, and Menden.
more informationMarch 20, 1945 - D-Day + 287
Battalions from the 78th Infantry Division's 311th Infantry Regiment under the VII Corps advanced to Geislar.
more informationMarch 19, 1945 - D-Day + 286
Battalions from the 78th Infantry Division’s 311th Infantry Regiment under the US First Army’s VII Corps occupied Römlinghoven and Oberkassel, while its sister 310st Infantry Regiment conquered Heisterbacherrot.
more informationMarch 18, 1945 - D-Day + 285
The 78th Infantry Division under the US First Army’s VII Corps advanced along the east bank of the Rhine, occupied Niederdolendorf, Oberdollendorf, and the hills over Königswinter.
more informationMarch 17, 1945 - D-Day + 284
The 1st Infantry Division under the US First Army’s VII Corps launched an attack to the Sieg River east of the Rhine.
more informationMarch 16, 1945 - D-Day + 283
Units from the 78th Infantry Division under the US First Army's VII Corps continued to expand the bridgehead at Remagen northwards.
more informationMarch 15, 1945 - D-Day + 282
Assault battalions from the 1st Infantry Division's 26th Infantry Regiment under the US First Army's VII Corps were the first units from the Corps to cross the Rhine in the zone of the III Corps. The battalions then went through the positions of the 78th Infantry Division and prepared to attack.
more informationMarch 14, 1945 - D-Day + 281
The US VII Corps under the US First Army regrouped for an upcoming operation east of the Rhine. The 8th Infantry Division, presently without the 13th Infantry Regiment, took over the 1st Infantry Division’s sector on the Corps’ southern flank.
more informationMarch 13, 1945 - D-Day + 280
Units from the 78th Infantry Division under the US First Army’s III Corps continued to expand the bridgehead at Remagen to the northeast. The enemy put up a strong defense.
more informationMarch 12, 1945 - D-Day + 279
The 75th Infantry Division took over the XVI Corps’ zone stretched out along the Rhine. At the same time, the 35th Infantry Division started to withdraw to the rear for a needed break and to replenish troops and materiel.
more informationMarch 11, 1945 - D-Day + 278
A reconnaissance patrol from the 35th Infantry Division’s 134th Infantry Regiment under the XVI Corps occupied Fort Blücher, located northeast of Büderich.
more informationMarch 10, 1945 - D-Day + 277
Forces from the First Canadian Army’s II Canadian Corps successfully completed Operations Veritable and Blockbuster, missions to successfully end the battle for the Rhine river valley.
more informationMarch 9, 1945 - D-Day + 276
The British 43rd Infantry and 2nd Canadian Infantry Divisions under the First Canadian Army’s II Canadian Corps eliminated the final resistance in Xanten and the immediate vicinity.
more informationMarch 8, 1945 - D-Day + 275
Units from the British 43rd Infantry and 2nd Canadian Infantry Divisions under the First Canadian Army’s II Canadian Corps launched a coordinated attack against Xanten and broke through the enemy’s outer defenses.
more informationMarch 7, 1945 - D-Day + 274
Tank units from the 4th Canadian Armored Division under the First Canadian Army's II Canadian Corps once again led an unsuccessful effort to conquer Veen. Other Corps forces finished preparations for launching the main attack on Xanten.
more informationMarch 6, 1945 - D-Day + 273
The British 43rd Infantry and 2nd Canadian Infantry Divisions under the First Canadian Army's II Canadian Corps slowly reinforced their positions in front of Xanten and prepared for a joint assault on the town.
more informationMarch 5, 1945 - D-Day + 272
The British 43rd Infantry Division under the First Canadian Army’s Canadian II Corps and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division slowly neared Xanten, the final strong enemy foothold west of the Rhine.
more informationMarch 4, 1945 - D-Day + 271
Enemy defenses directed against the II Canadian Corps in the operational zone of the First Canadian Army slowly weakened, allowing units to make significant territorial gains.
more informationMarch 3, 1945 - D-Day + 270
Units from the First Canadian Army’s 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade made contact with Col Robert Quinn’s 15th Cavalry Group (Mechanized) at the intersection in Walbeck in the area southwest of Geldern.
more informationMarch 2, 1945 - D-Day + 269
The British 53rd Infantry Division under the First Canadian Army’s British XXX Corps mopped up Weeze and headed towards Geldern. On the same day, the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division conquered Winnekendonk.
more informationMarch 1, 1945 - D-Day + 268
It was now March 1945. Just 1,700 hours remained till the end of the war in Europe, a period filled with destruction – and defiance.
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