Operation Veritable - Operation Blockbuster

Operation Blockbuster

Once the Reichswald had been taken, the allied forces paused to regroup before continuing their advance towards the Hochwald forested ridge, plus Xanten to the east of it, and the US 9th Army. This stage was Operation Blockbuster. As planned, it would start on 22 February when the 15th (Scottish) Division would attack woods north-east of Weeze, to be followed two days later on the 24th when the 53rd (Welsh) Division would advance southwards from Goch, take Weeze and continue south-westward. Finally, the 2nd Canadian Corps would launch, on 26 February, the operation intended to overcome the German defences based on the Hochwald and then exploit to Xanten.

By the time the waters from the Roer dams had subsided and the Ninth Army was able to cross the Roer on 23 February, other Allied forces were also close to the Rhine's west bank. Rundstedt's divisions which had remained on the west bank of the Rhine were cut to pieces in the Rhineland and 290,000 men were taken prisoner.

After the battle, 34 Armoured Brigade conducted a review of its part in the phase of the battle in the forest itself, in order to highlight the experiences of the armoured units and learn lessons.