Battle of Paderborn (1945)

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Battle of Paderborn
Part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany in the Western Front of the European theatre of World War II
Central Europe campaign.jpg
Date30–31 March 1945
Location
Result American victory
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Germany
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Maurice Rose  
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Doyle Hickey
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr.
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Hans Stern
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Wolf Koltermann
Units involved
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 3rd Armored Division
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 104th Infantry Division
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Heavy Tank Battalion
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg 507th Heavy Panzer Battalion
Strength
3 Combat Commands 60 tanks
Casualties and losses
17 M4 tanks destroyed
1 M-36 destroyed
17 half-tracks destroyed
3 Tiger II tanks destroyed

The Battle of Paderborn occurred during the Western Allied invasion of Germany. Most notably the commander of the 3rd Armored Division Major General Maurice Rose was killed in an ambush outside of Paderborn on March 30. He was the highest ranking US General to be killed in action on the Western Front of World War II. [1]

Contents

Prelude

During the final weeks of March, American forces were racing into Germany, with George Patton's 3rd Army crossing the Rhine river and the 1st Army fighting for the Remagen bridgehead. Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery's 21st Army Group was also crossing the last natural barrier into the Ruhr Area.

References

  1. Cacutt, Len (1986-02-01). Decisive Battles: The Turning Points of World War II. Gallery Books. ISBN   9780831721657.

Further reading