In this second of Tim Saunders’ volumes on the opening stage of the 1945 Rhineland Campaign, the focus is to the north of the Reichswald, on the flood plain of the River Rhine and a narrow strip of slightly higher ground. Amidst the rapidly rising flood waters, 3rd Canadian Division earned the nickname ‘The Water Rats’ as they fought to clear villages and dykes, while on their right, the 15th Scottish Division fought through the Germans’ outer defences with tanks becoming deeply bogged before facing the Siegfried Line defences. Even though deceived by a faulty estimate of allied intent, German resistance to the Guards Armoured Brigade, the specialist assault vehicles of 79th Armoured Division and the Scottish infantry, was stiff as they broke through the anti-tank ditches and bunkers. Aiming to maintain momentum, General Horrocks, the commander of XXX Corps, released 43rd Wessex Division and 8 Armoured Brigade into the narrow corridor between the floods and the Reichswald, which