Remagen, Wesel, Rees Germany

Travelled : 188km
Stay: Rees- Stellplatz €8/24hrs incl services N51.76422 E6.38885
Visit:Remagen Bridge, Wesel on the Rhine

It was just a short drive to the famous remains of the railway bridge in Remagen. It was built during the first world war in order to supply troops on the Western Front. In WWII it was the last bridge standing over the Rhine as all others had been successfully destroyed by the retreating Germans. This enabled the American army to use the bridge to continue their advanced attacks. Hitler was furious and sentenced the 5 officers to death believing it was treason. Unfortunately 10 days later the bridge did suddenly collapse, killing 30 American soldiers. The bridge was immortalised in an American movie made in 1968. 

After our visit to the museum in the remaining stone towers we took the motorway past Cologne and Dusseldorf. Our next stop was on the Rhine at Wesel. There is a Stellplatz here for an overnight stay but we just parked in the free day area and had some lunch waiting for the downpour to subside. We then ventured to the river to watch some very big barges from the remains of another bridge tower.

 As the rain had not eased we thought we may as well drive further down river to a Stellplatz in Rees. 

When the sun came out we set off the explore the old quarter and walked along the old defensive walls that were still standing on the river side. 

On our travels we saw a few of the 60 scuptures that are scattered throughout the town depicting their way of life. 

We then had dinner in a nice a restaurant on the waters edge. There was no English menu here, Mark had his favourite - schnitzel and I had to make a quick decision of a chicken dish! Not bad.