CROSSING THE WAAL

Crossing the Waal, September 20, 1944

Col. Ruben Tucker's 504th PIR was assigned the daunting task of crossing the 1200ft wide Waal river to aid the capture of the Nijmegen railroad bridge.
The crossing was to be made using collapsible assault craft supplied by the British.

Company H and Co. I, 3/504th PIR, with troops from Co. C, 307th Engineers started their perilous crossing of the Waal river at 1500 hours with supporting fire from artillery and tanks. A lack of paddles meant many troops had to use their rifle stocks to hasten the 15 - 25 minute crossing.

A preliminary airstrike was made against the far bank by RAF Typhoons as the flimsy craft began their perilous journey. German mortars, machine-guns and Flak guns soon started to pummel the craft from the far bank and the rail bridge. Half of the troops in the first wave were killed or wounded. Once the first wave landed, engineers paddled the boats back across the Waal to collect the next wave of troops. In total six waves of paratroopers were sent across.

By 16.30 hours the survivors of the crossing had fought their way to the far end of the rail bridge, trapping the German defenders and ultimately going on to capture the bridge.

By the end of that day Companies H and I were down to a strength of about 90 men from an original strength of about 240.

✍️ Signed and numbered out of 75 by the artist, Steve Noon.

Matted Limited Edition

Included in the mountwork is the original pencil autograph of First Lieutenant James “Maggie” Megellas of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, was among the American paratroopers who crossed the Waal River at Nijmegen on 20 September 1944 during Operation Market Garden. The crossing was made in daylight under intense German machine-gun and artillery fire, with Megellas leading his men through one of the most dangerous actions of the operation. He went on to become one of the most decorated officers in 82nd Airborne history, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars for his combat service. His autograph is presented alongside Steve Noon’s Crossing the Waal, September 20, 1944, directly connecting the signed piece to one of the men who lived through the historic action depicted.
 

Limited Edition print size: 22" x 16"

Overall Matted size: 27" x 21"