Allied train crosses new Rhine bridge. A U.S.

Allied train crosses new Rhine bridge. A U.S. Army railroad train crosses the newly completed bridge built by Ninth U.S. Army engineers in 11 days over the Rhine River at Wesel, Germany. An Allied train used the bridge for the first time April 9, 1945. The semi-permanent structure, which is 2,580 feet long, including its approaches, was constructed by approximately 3,000 American troops, including engineers. Expected to last from 10 to 20 years, it can handle the heaviest trains in Europe. It was built close to the point where Ninth U.S. Army troops crossed the Rhine March 24, 1945.