This report describes the 9th Armored Division in the exploitation, from the breakout of the Remagen bridgehead to the encirclement of Leipsig. Table of contents: the enemy, logistics and statistics, expanding the bridgehead, reduction of Limburg, Limburg to Warburg, Warburg to Leipzig, and in retrospect. The period covered is March 28, 1945 to April 18, 1945, and the purposes of the report are fourfold: to study the action involving the exploitation of a weak and disorganized enemy from the preparation and planning phase through the build-up to final victory; to study the organization for combat and the employment in combat of the major combat, service, and attached units of the division; to examine the adherence to or violation of the present doctrine of exploitation in two decisive phases (breakout from Remagen and advance to Limburg, and the advance to Leipzig and its encirclement); and to determine the lessons to be learned, conclusions to be drawn, recommendations to be made on armored division tables of organization and equipment, and recommendations to be made on the employment of armored units in the exploitation phase.

N2146.48 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.