THE BATTLE OF THE REICHSWALD: Rhineland February 1945

Details how Operation Veritable saw Allied forces overcome mud, floods, and fierce resistance to breach Germany's Reichswald defenses and advance into the Rhineland. Explains how the German officers relied on the natural defenses of the forest and let the Siegfried Line peter out. Originally hoping to use the frozen winter ground for a speedy assault, days before Operation Veritable began, a thaw set in and the Allies faced attacking in the worst possible ground conditions. With heavy rain compounding difficulties, mud and flood waters made movement of men and supplies increasingly difficult. Despite this and the arrival of German reinforcements, the Allies fought their way forward, forcing the Reichswald Plug and opening the way into the Rhineland and the final phases of the war. Contains 80 black and white illustrations and 30 maps.