This is one of a series of G.I. Stories of the Ground, Air and Service Forces in the European Theater, issued by the Orientation Branch, Information and Education Services, Hq., TSFET. Brigadier General Thomas L. Harrold, commanding the 9th Armored Division, lent his cooperation and basic material was supplied by his staff. This is the story, told in broad outline, of a fighting division. The gallant exploits of individuals of the Ninth Armored Division cannot be treated adequately in the brief space allotted here. But in reading this little book you will identify yourself with the places and battles recorded. The Ninth Armored Division's brilliant achievements were made possible by the actions of brave men fighting as a united team. This, then, is the story of that team. It is a team in which every member can justly feel the deepest pride. Every man, I am sure, is aware of the personal sacrifices that were required to win the war. The deeds of our comrades who fell at Bastogne, Remagen and on the road to Leipzig will burn forever bright in our memories as we continue to uphold the principles in which we believe.   Thomas L. Harrold Brigadier General, Commanding ________________________________________ The Story of the 9th Armored Division M ARCH 7, 1945:   High atop the hill overlooking Remagen and the majestic Rhine River, Lt. Col. Leonard E. Engeman, Redwood Falls, Minn., trained his field glasses on the valley below. The commander of the 14th Tank Battalion actually jumped with excitement when he spotted the bridge. The Ludendorff bridge was still intact! German vehicles were moving across the span-across the only Rhine bridge Nazis had failed to blow in their frantic withdrawal from the hammer-like blows of the mighty Allied war machine. It was apparent that Americans-this task force from Combat Command B of the 9th Armored Division-had arrived before they were expected. Otherwise, the Germans would have allowed more time for their remaining vehicles and troops to escape across the river. But even if the Germans had waited too long, there was no assurance they would make the capital mistake of failing to blow the bridge.    Col. Engeman reasoned the enemy probably would wait until his tanks roared into Remagen and then would cheat them of the prize by setting off the charges. He acted quickly. After summoning a platoon of the 14th's Pershing tanks-new tanks with 90mm guns that could handle anything the Germans had-Col. Engeman gave instructions to Co. A, 27th Armd. Inf. Bn.: Go down into the town. Get through it as quickly as possible and reach the bridge. The tanks will lead. The infantry will follow on foot. Their half-tracks will bring up the rear. Let's make it snappy. With their long-barreled 90s pointed down into the valley, the Pershings clattered over the winding road toward Remagen. Infantrymen, accustomed to working with tanks, trotted along behind. Tanks and doughs moved swiftly against spotty resistance, mostly from snipers. Prisoners were taken from houses on the outskirts of the town. Quizzed about the defenses in the town and at the bridge, one PW volunteered the information that the bridge was scheduled to be blown at 1600.   Early that afternoon, similar information was obtained by the 52nd Armd. Inf. Bn. at Sinzig, several miles away. Civilians there corroborated the report that the Germans were to set off the blasts at 1600. These reports were relayed to Brig. Gen. William M. Hoge, Lexington, Mo., CC B commander, who sent the following message to Col. Engeman at 1515: You've got 45 minutes to take the bridge. Checking the progress of the task force immediately, Col. Engeman radioed Lt. John Grimball, Columbia, S.C., commander of the tanks: Get to the bridge as quickly as possible. The lieutenant reported: Sir, I am already there. The Pershings wheeled into firing position near the west end of the bridge, prepared to smash any opposition across the river. One of the first targets was a locomotive which pulled a string of freight cars along the east bank. Tanks knocked out the train. Infantrymen, spurred on by Lt. Karl Timmermann, West Point, Nebr., dashed along the main street of Remagen toward the bridge.   Time was running out and German engineers at the bridge realized their peril. They set off a blast in the roadway leading to the west approach of the bridge, blowing a large crater which they hoped would slow down tanks and infantry. As 9th Armd. troops forged ahead, machine gunners opened up from each tower and the tunnel on the east side of the bridge. Anti-aircraft guns blazed.