The Elster Bridge (Die Elsterbruecke), Plauen, Germany
Thomas (Tom) Stafford,
L Company, 347th Inf. Regt.,
87th ID- WWII
The Elster Bridge (Die Elsterbruecke), Plauen, Germany
During the 347th Infantry Regiment's attack on Plauen, Germany (April 16, 1945), Company L reached a point approximately one kilometer from the Elster River,
which divided the city. At the same time Capt. Kidd, Commander of Company L, received a message that one of our spotter aircraft had observed a German platoon-sized force which appeared to be setting demolition charges in preparation of destroying the sole remaining bridge across the river, apparently hoping to delay the regiment's advance. Capt. Kidd radioed Tom Stafford, Acting Platoon Leader of the 2nd Rifle Platoon, saying he wanted the 2nd to move through Lew Goad's 1st Rifle Platoon (which had been leading the move into Plauen) and prevent the Germans from destroying the bridge. The upper structure (e.g., side walls) of the bridge had been badly damaged but the bridge was still usuable by vehicles, tanks, etc.
To provide the 2nd Platoon with additional firepower, Capt. Kidd gave Tom a section of tanks from the tank platoon which had been attached to Company L for the assault on Plauen. Moving through Lew Goad's platoon, and with the tanks following through the rubble-clogged streets, the 2nd Platoon advanced toward the bridge as quickly as possible. Arriving at the bridge, Tom observed a number of German troops at the far end. They appeared to be still in the process of setting up demolition charges under the bridge. Placing one of the tanks on each side of our end of the bridge, Tom directed them to fire a couple of cannon rounds over the heads of the Germans and then open fire with their machine guns along each side of the bridge, while Tom and his men and raced across the bridge hoping to cut the ignition wires, or otherwise neutralize the demolition charges before the bridge was blown. Suffice it to say, aided by the supporting fire laid down by the tanks, Tom succeeded in neutralizing the demolitions while his men, after capturing a number of German defenders, drove off the remaining German soldiers, without suffering any casualties.
Having secured the bridge, Tom moved the 2nd platoon to higher ground on the far side of the river in order to ward off any counterattack which might be attempted by the Germans.
In 1990, while the Communists were still in control of East Germany, Tom and his wife, Gayla, visited the Elster Bridge (known locally as The Elsterbruecke).
They learned that the people of Plauen apparently had persuaded the authorities to declare the bridge a "National Treasurer".
The area at both ends of the bridge, which as of 1990 had been restricted to foot traffic, had been turned into lovely little parks.
They also learned that the bridge is believed to have been constructed prior to 1244 -- nearly 250 years before Columbus discovered the Americas!
The Elster Bridge also is believed to be the oldest "arched" stone bridge still in existence north of Italy.
I have been informed that a number of German reenactors, playing the part of fully equipped
American soldiers as well as German Wehrmacht soldiers, are planning to stage next April the "liberation"
of Plauen by the 347th Inf. Reg.-- and also are endeavoring to have a plaque placed at the Elster Bridge
crediting the 347th Inf. Reg. for saving the "Old Stone Bridge" from destruction.
(you may read more about the final months of the war in Europe at the following website)
http://www.87thinfantrydivision.com/History/347th/Personal/000019/000019.html
=========
Thanks to Mr. James Hennessey for passing this article and photos on from Mr. Stafford,
and for Mr. Stafford giving permission to place on this gallery.
Read MoreL Company, 347th Inf. Regt.,
87th ID- WWII
The Elster Bridge (Die Elsterbruecke), Plauen, Germany
During the 347th Infantry Regiment's attack on Plauen, Germany (April 16, 1945), Company L reached a point approximately one kilometer from the Elster River,
which divided the city. At the same time Capt. Kidd, Commander of Company L, received a message that one of our spotter aircraft had observed a German platoon-sized force which appeared to be setting demolition charges in preparation of destroying the sole remaining bridge across the river, apparently hoping to delay the regiment's advance. Capt. Kidd radioed Tom Stafford, Acting Platoon Leader of the 2nd Rifle Platoon, saying he wanted the 2nd to move through Lew Goad's 1st Rifle Platoon (which had been leading the move into Plauen) and prevent the Germans from destroying the bridge. The upper structure (e.g., side walls) of the bridge had been badly damaged but the bridge was still usuable by vehicles, tanks, etc.
To provide the 2nd Platoon with additional firepower, Capt. Kidd gave Tom a section of tanks from the tank platoon which had been attached to Company L for the assault on Plauen. Moving through Lew Goad's platoon, and with the tanks following through the rubble-clogged streets, the 2nd Platoon advanced toward the bridge as quickly as possible. Arriving at the bridge, Tom observed a number of German troops at the far end. They appeared to be still in the process of setting up demolition charges under the bridge. Placing one of the tanks on each side of our end of the bridge, Tom directed them to fire a couple of cannon rounds over the heads of the Germans and then open fire with their machine guns along each side of the bridge, while Tom and his men and raced across the bridge hoping to cut the ignition wires, or otherwise neutralize the demolition charges before the bridge was blown. Suffice it to say, aided by the supporting fire laid down by the tanks, Tom succeeded in neutralizing the demolitions while his men, after capturing a number of German defenders, drove off the remaining German soldiers, without suffering any casualties.
Having secured the bridge, Tom moved the 2nd platoon to higher ground on the far side of the river in order to ward off any counterattack which might be attempted by the Germans.
In 1990, while the Communists were still in control of East Germany, Tom and his wife, Gayla, visited the Elster Bridge (known locally as The Elsterbruecke).
They learned that the people of Plauen apparently had persuaded the authorities to declare the bridge a "National Treasurer".
The area at both ends of the bridge, which as of 1990 had been restricted to foot traffic, had been turned into lovely little parks.
They also learned that the bridge is believed to have been constructed prior to 1244 -- nearly 250 years before Columbus discovered the Americas!
The Elster Bridge also is believed to be the oldest "arched" stone bridge still in existence north of Italy.
I have been informed that a number of German reenactors, playing the part of fully equipped
American soldiers as well as German Wehrmacht soldiers, are planning to stage next April the "liberation"
of Plauen by the 347th Inf. Reg.-- and also are endeavoring to have a plaque placed at the Elster Bridge
crediting the 347th Inf. Reg. for saving the "Old Stone Bridge" from destruction.
(you may read more about the final months of the war in Europe at the following website)
http://www.87thinfantrydivision.com/History/347th/Personal/000019/000019.html
=========
Thanks to Mr. James Hennessey for passing this article and photos on from Mr. Stafford,
and for Mr. Stafford giving permission to place on this gallery.
The Old Rathaus (Town Hall), Plauen, Germany
Old Rathaus Town Hall PlauenGermanyThomas Tom StaffordL Company347th Inf. Regt.87th Infantry DivisionElster BridgeDie ElsterbrueckePlauenGermany
