The Essel Bridgehead - The Battles on the River Aller 1945

The Essel Bridgehead - The Battles on the River Aller 1945

76 Years ago this week the British Second Army was over the Rhine and advancing across the North German Plain. Its objective was Schleswig-Holstein, with the rivers Weser, Aller and Leine the only remaining obstacles of significance before the Elbe. German forces appear to be in total disarray and British confidence is high, but tempered by the fear of becoming a casualty with the end of the war within touching distance. Unknown to the British, a new division formed from naval personnel and supported by a Waffen-SS battalion of Hitler Youth and some of the last available Tiger and Panther tanks, has been deployed westwards to the Weser and charged with its defense. Despite their inexperience, these are well-motivated troops and determined to acquit themselves to the best of their ability in what will, in all likelihood, be their first and last battle. The destruction of a Churchill tank on the outskirts of Minden on 6 April marks the opening of 11 days of fierce action, and for all the combatants the war is very far from over.

Our special guest is John Russell MBE who served in the British Army as a Infantry Battalion Commander and had Operational postings to Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. In this show he will talk about the battle for Rethem and the Essel bridgehead.

Buy Theirs The Strife by John Russell:
UK - https://uk.bookshop.org/a/5843/978191...
USA - https://bookshop.org/a/21029/97819140...

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