Kattenturm Bridge

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by sapper, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The gateway to Bremen, a Classic Sapper operation.
    Where do I put it.... if anyone is interested?
    sapper
     
  2. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    The gateway to Bremen, a Classic Sapper operation.
    Where do I put it.... if anyone is interested?
    sapper

    Brian,

    Me for one.
    Start now under this post.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just here Brian, get posting.
    :)
     
  4. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The Battle for Bremen. The last days of the war in Europe. Spring/1945

    The Bridge at Kattenturm.
    A classic Sapper operation.
    Most of this is taken from the RE document “The Way Forward” This was a document explaining what happened. And why. It was written on thin war time paper, and a shocking worn out old typewriter.

    This was also, the last battle of the Third Division. The battle for Bremen. While it was taking place, I was back in the UK, covered in plaster from head to foot, a mummy! being cared for by pretty nurses.

    This operation is well worth recalling, as it seems to me to be a classic RE Field Company under fire. And between ourselves,. It showed the great courage and tenacity of the Sappers when faced with almost insurmountable difficulties.
    The stage was set by the 20th of April. There were three and half days for final planning and preparation for the assault. These days were invaluable, because the problem was most involved, and, because the results were so successful that the story is laid out here in some detail.

    Bremen was surrounded by a belt of flooded country being defended by SS troops, who having come from Holland, were experienced in flooding country. The lock gates of the canal had been heightened, and in addition, the flood banks of the Wesser had been breached.
    The country was intersected with deep ditches giving the water a maximum depth of between 6 to 8 feet and while the general depth was about 4 feet the were patches of ground above water. This precluded the use of assault boats and wading.
    The width of the flooded belt varied between a quarter to one mile.

    The only approaches were on the right though Dreye and Arsten. In places, only a causeway, and believed to be blocked under a railway bridge. In addition a bridge of very limited capacity and condition.
    (If any of ther place names are wrong?) Blame the translation of the war time document, written on an old clapped out army typewriter. I am sure you have seen them?
    I will add more later as I manage to Make sense of the document that is almost undecipherable in places.
    Sapper
     
  5. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    And on the left, it was very adequately covered by a pill boxes, on the perimeter of the airfield.
    Also on the left was the main road from Brinkum to Bremen, which was wholly on a causeway, demolition was visible on this road, and further along there was a very substantial road block. Finally from the map, there was a bridge of considerable span over a canal at Kattenturm…There were no other alternatives.

    Before the final plans could be made, many patrols had to be carried out to at night to gather the information, As the whole area was completely open to observation, these had to be done at night. By day officers studies the ground by air Op. A daily flight was made
    to watch the floods and the vital bridge at Katenturm. There was some doubt to begin with whether this bridge was demolished or not, it was difficult to see from the air because of the trees and houses in the immediate vicinity.

    Eventually it was concluded that the bridge was intact, and about 80 feet long. It had, however, some considerable excavations at the far end which were obviously housing the usual bombs. At our end there were some very large concrete blocks.
    The first patrols reached the first demolition which was only partial. A concrete culvert with two large holes blown in it, and the structure considerably weakened; however there was still about eleven feet of very doubtful road between the two holes. The span was about 20 feet and the depth of water below about 15 feet.
    There were a pile of stones set on the top, which made classification of the remnants very difficult, so the night before the operation these were removed, or at least the majority bearing in mind the need for concealment.

    Another patrol from 246 Field Company RE was directed to the next road block, and they reported that it was a most substantial affair constructed with timber stockades and sand filled, and three in number. One being in the middle of the 30 feet of road and one each on each verge. The passage in between was obstructed by 11’ by 9’ RSJs.

    This patrol having done the job without interference, they decided to try and reach the Kattenturm bridge. They got quite near and confirmed the existence of the concrete road blocks. (although the bridge itself could not be seen)
    There were a number of Germans talking in the houses nearby.
    More deciphering Later .
    Sapper
     
    Bodston likes this.
  6. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Any one that wishes to comment, or ask? Please feel free to do so.
    Sapper
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Is there a map of the bridge's location?
     
  8. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Getting back to the bridge at Kattenturm. After the previous patrols. More information was needed. So the third and fourth patrols supplied by 17th Fd Co RE were asked to deliver the depth of water on either side of the causeway, and to report the width and the state of the of the banks of the canal, with a view to putting buffaloes across.

    The patrol on the left was led by Lt Bridgeford, whose calmness and courage extricated them from a particularly dangerous situation, when they, having crossed the canal by the lock gates, found that a German patrol had seen, and got behind them at the lock gates. They all returned safely and brought back the required information. The water was too deep to wade with the assault troops and assault boats were of no value because of the raised ridges.

    There was however a raised path (now submerged) along which the left hand patrol passed. The canal and its banks were rather doubtful obstacles to the buffaloes, but it was considered that they could reach the far bank and discharge their loads. On the right the canal was no obstacle.
    The final plan was now made. The assault North of the Wesser was to be done by (52) (L) Div. Both operations being carries out concurrently.
    Sapper
     
  9. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I have none Owen Though someone cleverer than me May be able to add one?
     
  10. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Any details about opposing force composition?
     
  11. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Its got a way to go yet. Oddly enough. Seldom are the Enemy units named. As far as we were concerned they were the ENEMY
    Cheers
    sapper
     
  12. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Brian,
    I think you have a lot of members hooked.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  13. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I will post it all. Just make allowances for this old buzzards one fingered typing ability YUK

    Cheers Tom mate
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Brian,
    I think you have a lot of members hooked.

    Regards
    Tom


    All over the world it seems...I did a search for WW2 pictures of the bridge etc and found the story posted on about 500 forums :lol:

    Keep it coming Brian (Shame on you for saving us to last) :D

    Regards
    Andy
     
  15. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    A deception plan was organized and put into practice by (51) (H) div to give the impression that the Attack was being launched from Delmenhorst. This subsequently proved to have been completely successful .

    On the right,185 Brigade supported by 17th Fld Co RE, a squadron of 4/7 Dragoon Guards in Sherman’s, Crocodiles, and AVRE were to attack along the axis Dreye-Arsten-Habenhausen-Bremen. with 1 battalion crossing the flooded area in Buffaloes and landing between the railway and Arsten.


    On the left 9 Brigade were attacking on the right of the Brinkum Katenturm road with the RUR crossing in buffaloes. and taking Katenturm in the rear. This principle task being the capture of the bridge intact. When the road was opened, KOSB would pass through them and into Bremen, Their objective being the barracks.

    The supporting progamme included practically everything….First of all 700 Lancasters “Doctored” the part of Bremen North of the river. Followed by medium bombers on the barracks, and a wonderful display by the Typhoons on Kattenturm bridge. The artillery of 51 (H) div, our own, and sundry medium Regiments and a pepper pot of LAA and 2 EX were to give continuous fire in the neighbourhood of the airfield. Finally a smoke programme was organized just in case the airfield might give further trouble.
    The Engineer plan was difficult and complicated. First of all the Buffaloes routes had to be cleared as far as possible, including the wire fences in the flooded areas. On the right 17th Fld Co with a AVRE assault Bridge to open the right hand axis with a particular reference to the railway bridge whish was reported to be “Concreted up” And the doubtful bridge. The attack by 8 brigade was supported by 253 Fld Co who were to open the Buffaloes routes and to provide a special party that was to go with the Ulsters and “delouse” the charges on the bridge at Kattenturm.
    .
    The Vital causeway road was the sole responsibility of 246 Fld Co (mine) with the help of a troop of AVREs and an Arty FOO. It was this road that was the Top Priority for the Div axis …But if that was impossible then the Dreye road was to be used.
    Next the opening of the causeway...
    Sapper
     
  16. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    Its got a way to go yet. Oddly enough. Seldom are the Enemy units named. As far as we were concerned they were the ENEMY
    Cheers
    sapper

    Brian
    Great stuff, keep it comming.
    The same way as the Arty element is dissmissed i think.
    l love the way they casualy mention " and sundry medium Regiments". During the assault this Regt were shooting their bo--ocks off with each Bty firing over 600, 100bls shells a day in support.
    But there you go,I suppose i am biased.
    :) Cheers Rob
     
  17. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    I will post it all. Just make allowances for this old buzzards one fingered typing ability YUK

    Cheers Tom mate
    :lol: You're doing fine "Old Buzzard"! Keep it coming, its fascinating Brian!
     
  18. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The plan then for opening this causeway road with its collection of obstacles was as follows;
    As much as possible was to be done under cover of armour, because of the open left flank, and the fact that no infantry were out in front.

    Two Skid Bailey’s were built, and prepared in Brinkum and were to be towed into position, The first past the semi demolished bridge, if necessary using the bridge to give passage to the towing tank, and the armored dozer required for the road block, and finally to go into position at Kattenturm if that bridge was blown.

    A quantity of Bailey equipment was to held in sledges to be towed by Kangaroos with Sappers, just in case a greater length of bridge was required. The second Skid Bailey was for the first semi demolished bridge. The complication being it is impossible to get one Skid bailey over another.
    The road block was to be dealt with by General Wade charges prepared beforehand, and the concrete ones at Kattenturm by Petards by the leading AVRE.

    At dusk on the 24th of April, the battle started and about 21 hrs the Skid Baileys started off from Brinkum. But not before the troop commander of the AVRE was wounded in a “Stonk” He however, carried on. A very careful check of the road was being carried out by 246 Field Co. for mines.
    The first AVRE and its Skid bailey got across the first bridge between the holes with a bit of creaking and complaint from the bridge.

    A party of Sappers went forward to put the charges on the road block, The mine clearing found something they had never found or seen before…Three very large Naval magnetic mines very well concealed and connected to batteries in the verge.

    They did what they thought was a “good thing” and the OC pronounced them safe.
    In the mean time the second Skid Bailey was in position and a safe passage was ensured over the first obstacle at least.
    More later
     
  19. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The charges on the road blocks were fired and the timber caught fire and caused some reaction from the enemy. So far as we knew the bridge at Kattenturm was still intact and the infantry were having difficulty in reaching the place.

    It was decided to have a shot at getting to the bridge with the few Sappers as the enemy was now awake to the situation, and it was obvious the bridge was going to go up, unless something was done quickly.

    They got to the bridge and a Sgt from 246 Field Co RE (mine) actually crossed it when 7 figures appeared out of the darkness, advancing menacingly towards him. He withdrew to the cover of the concrete road blocks, not knowing if these were enemy or our own infantry.

    One of the 7 then lay down in the road and started doing something, The Sappers challenged them, but as there was no reply they were driven off with a few bursts of Bren fire. This started a bit of a shooting match, some of it from the houses on our side of the bridge.

    The Sappers where then told to withdraw, because the infantry having trouble had called for fire on the bridge. This was done though no fire came down, as the Ulsters had reached Kattenturm,

    Sgt Lomax of 253 Field Co and his littler party of Sappers, disregarding the small arms fire rushed the bridge and pulled out the leads. It was then discovered that the German lying in the middle of the road was just connecting the firing circuits to the junction pointy…So the bridge was intact….
    Sapper.... more later
     
  20. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Brian,
    Riveting is the word.
    Sounds like the Engineers saved the day, just in the nick of time!

    Standing by for the next thrilling installment.

    Regards
    Tom
     

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