Shannon Stirnweis (B. 1931) "Remagen Bridge Taken by U.S. Forces" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 32c Remagen Bridge Taken by U.S. Forces 1945 stamp issued March 7, 1995. As Anglo-American forces pushed into the heart of Germany, Adolf Hitler ordered that all bridges over the Rhine River be razed to hinder their progress -- but not until the Allies were within 12 miles. Thus, instead of immediately lining the Remagen railroad bridge with explosives, the Germans covered it with planks to expedite their retreat. When U.S. troops unexpectedly arrived early on the afternoon of March 7, 1945, the Germans had just started to prepare the bridge for demolition. Seeing it intact, U.S. Army troops under Lieutenant Karl H. Timmermann charged the span, cutting everything that resembled a demolition cable. Two hasty German attempts to destroy the bridge failed. One merely blew a crater at its western end, the second raised the bridge a few feet but it settled back into place. By 4:15 p.m., the Americans were in firm control of a vital crossing over the Rhine. Image Size: 19.75 x 23.75 in. Overall Size: 21.75 x 25.75 in. Unframed. (B14952)