The Bridge at Remagen: First Jet Bomber Target in History

An Arado Ar 234 as seen at the National Air and Space Museum's
Steven Udvar-Hazy Center. Photo by Cody Lizotte.

In early 1945, the majority of Germans all but knew they were done for. The Luftwaffe's attempts to break the Western Allied air forces, Operation Bodenplatte, was a disaster. Soviet troops had captured almost all of occupied Poland and were closing on Berlin. Finally, the Western allies had reached the Rhine River, the natural border between France and Germany.

The Wehrmacht (German army) had failed in their mission to blow up the main bridge across the river at Remagen, so the Luftwaffe (German air force) was ordered to launch bombing strikes to destroy the bridge. Suffice it to say, the Allies were well prepared to fend off air attacks and the strikes were unsuccessful. The Americans captured both sides of the bridge by March 23, 1945.

However, this was the first instance in history when formations of only jets were used to strike a target. The escort fighters were Messerschmitt Me 262s, the world's first operational jet fighter. The bombers were Arado Ar 234s, the world's first jet bomber with a bomb payload equal to that of the B-17 Flying Fortress but with a top speed at least 150mph faster.

The raids may not have been a success, but this early mission would later serve as a blueprint for future air strikes in the jet era, with F-18s escorting A-10s for example. Until next time take care, and thanks for reading.

(Facts sourced from "Campaigns of World War II Day by day" by Chris Bishop and Chris McNab)