2nd Canadian Division during World War II: Difference between revisions

[[Operation Veritable]] was designed to bring the 21st Army Group to the west bank of the [[Rhine River]], the last natural obstacle before entering Germany.<ref name="JunoBeachVictory">{{cite web |url=http://www.junobeach.org/e/2/can-eve-rod-rhi-e.htm |title= Juno Beach Centre—LiberationCentre – Liberation of the Netherlands and capitulation of Germany|access-date=15 August 2008 |publisher= Juno Beach Centre| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080818055617/http://www.junobeach.org/e/2/can-eve-rod-rhi-e.htm| archive-date= 18 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Initially scheduled for December 1944, the operation was delayed until February by the German [[Battle of the Bulge|Ardennes Offensive]].<ref>Bercuson, p. 258</ref> Plans were developed to breach three successive defensive lines: the outpost screen; a formidable section of the [[Siegfried Line]] running through the [[Hochwald Forest]]; and finally the Hochwald Layback covering the approach to the ultimate objective of [[Xanten]].<ref name="Zuehlke171"/> The first phase began on 8{{nbsp}}February 1945, with the 2nd Division's advance following up one of the largest artillery barrages seen on the Western Front.<ref name="JunoBeachVictory"/> The Germans had prepared significant defences in depth, both within the outpost screen and the Siegfried Line itself,<ref name="JunoBeachVictory"/> and to add to the Canadians' difficulties, constant rain and cold weather obscured the battlefield. However, by the end of the first day, the 2nd Division had captured their objectives—the fortified towns of [[Wyler, North Rhine-Westphalia|Wyler]] and [[Den Heuvel]].<ref name="Bercuson263">Bercuson, p. 263</ref> On 11{{nbsp}}February, the division moved southeast to assist [[XXX Corps (United Kingdom)|British XXX Corps]] in their assault on Moyland Wood.<ref name="Bercuson263"/>