U.S. tanks cross the Ludendorff Bridge 7 March 1945 at Remagen, Germany. The bridge was prepared for demolition but was still intact when the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion arrived at its location. Recognizing the importance of the bridge, battalion leaders acted on their own initiative to change their mission and seize it ten minutes before it was scheduled to be blown up by retreating German forces, ultimately enabling six divisions to cross the bridge and continue the attack before it collapsed on 17 March.