Operation Blackcock - Aftermath

Aftermath

Operation Blackcock was a success for the allies since all the objectives of the operation were met. The German divisions were thrown out of the Roer Triangle with exception of the area immediately south of Roermond. Here Hübner's paratroopers stayed in control for the time being. The British Division that fought the toughest battles during the operation was without doubt the 52nd Lowland Division which counted 752 casualties. Of these casualties 101 were killed. Above that 258 soldiers were transported from the front because of sickness, mostly as a direct result of the adverse weather conditions and the extreme cold. The 7th Armoured Division counted just over 400 casualties. The Desert Rats losses in vehicles was rather light, with only 20 tanks knocked out by the enemy and a further 23 tanks broke down due to mechanical problems. Of the knocked-out tanks 10 were damaged beyond repair, the others could be repaired. The number of German casualties is unknown, it can be estimated to approximately 2,000. During the operation 490 prisoners were taken by the Desert Rats, amongst them were 6 officers. The Lowland Division took more than 1,200 prisoners, and the Wessex Division took some 400 prisoners.

Once Operation Blackcock was completed the plans for the capture of the Rhineland could commence. Operation Veritable by the First Canadian Army was launched on 8 February and was aimed at breaking through the German defences in the Klever Reichswald, some 60 km (37 mi) north of the Roer Triangle. Operation Grenade, the southern part of the pincer movement, by the US Ninth Army was launched on 23 February. General William Hood Simpson's US Ninth Army crossed the river Roer south of Heinsberg in the early hours of 23 February 1945. Twelve hours later Simpson had 16 battalions on the east bank, together with 7 heavy bridges, and a number of light assault bridges. American losses were light on the first day, and 700 prisoners were taken. A task force was formed by XVI Corps which rushed towards Venlo to meet with the British in the north. On March 1st Roermond was captured by the reconnaissance troop of the US 35th Infantry Division (the "Santa Fe" Division) without a single shot.