![]() ![]() He gained a reputation for deadly accuracy as a tank gunner. Louis, MO, the National Archives in Washington,ĭC as well as a large number of international source material, the well-known Cologne Historian and producer Hermann Rheindorf also conducted numerous never before released interviews with both, German and American surviving participants and witnesses of the fateful tank battle in the shadow of the cathedral.Clarence Smoyer during the war. Dozens of correspondents (including young Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney), photographers, and cameramen had been closely following the combat US troops to report in great detail on the unfolding dramatic events.īased on several years of extensive, painstaking research substantially aided by the excellent cooperation of the US Army Archives in St. The impending battle has dominated the headlines of the world press for days. US troops were on the cusp of a rapidly nearing, long-awaited milestone, the capture of Cologne and access to the river Rhine. ![]() Shortly thereafter, the battle for Cologne was over.Īdditional Background Information: Eight months after D-Day, Here at the foot of the world-famous Cathedral, a dramatic tank encounter took place. Two days later, the GIs had reached the banks of the Rhine river. They encountered sporadic resistance from a small number of fanatic followers of Hitler’s brutal „DurchhalteBefehl“, the order to fight to the last bullet. In early March 1945, advancing combat troops of the US Third Armored „Spearhead“ Division entered the outskirts of the totally bombed-out dead city of Cologne. The riveting events documented in this superb, truly one-of-a-kind historical DVD take place in Cologne, the largest German city captured by US troops during World War II. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |