Battle of Frankfurt

Battle of Frankfurt
Part of the Invasion of Germany during World War II
An aerial view of Frankfurt after the war.
Date 26–29 March 1945 Location Frankfurt am Main, Germany Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United States	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Stafford LeRoy Irwin Robert W. Grow	Franz Beyer
Units involved
5th Infantry Division 6th Armored Division	LXXX Corps
Strength
2 divisions	1-2 divisions (understrength)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown, but heavy

The Battle of Frankfurt was a four-day struggle for control of Frankfurt am Main during World War II. The 5th Infantry Division conducted the main attack while the 6th Armored Division provided support. The city was defended by the LXXX Corps of the Seventh Army.

The 5th Infantry Division crossing the Rhine on 22 March and quickly established a bridgehead. By 23 March, the 5th had expanded its bridgehead five miles east, putting the division only 14 miles southwest of Frankfurt. On 25 March the 6th Armored crossed the Rhine at Oppenheim and pushed north towards the city. On 26 March the 5th reached the southern outskirts of the city and captured the Rhine-Main airbase.^[1] The 6th linked up with the 5th and pushed through the southern outskirts to the Main. Much to their surprise, units of the 5th found an intact bridge across the river, crossed it under heavy fire on 27 March and entered the city. The two divisions then fought the Germans in fierce house to house combat, slowly pushing through the city. On 29 March the city was brought under American control; however, small sporadic fighting continued until 4 April.^[2]

After capturing Frankfurt, the 5th Division enjoyed a few days of rest inside the captured city until 7 April when it was ordered to move north to support the III Corps of the First Army in the Ruhr Pocket.^[2]

References