The Watch on the Bridge

by David Garth

The Watch on the Bridge, first published in 1959, is a fast-paced novel set in Europe near the closing days of World War II. While much of the book focuses on a U.S. soldier and a German woman he befriends, there are many combat scenes, described from both the American and German sides of the War.

From the book's cover notes: February, 1945, and the German Wehrmacht everywhere in retreat before the advancing British and Americans, falling back on the Rhine, ready to cross that historic barrier, blow the spans that traversed it and then, in safety, recuperate for the struggle that would decide the fate of the Fatherland itself. It was natural for all eyes to turn to the north, to the wide reaches of the lower Rhine where the ultimate assault would be mounted. But this is a story of another sort and place: of a town standing beside the rushing waters of the upper Rhine and of a bridge, a four-hundred-yard steel ribbon over a river that flowed deep and swift between the cliffs. It is the story of how that doomed country cousin of a bridge became, in the span of minutes, the most important bridge in world history. The Bridge is a novel of many and varying characters, from the Generals of both sides down to the carpenters and slave laborers working on the bridge itself. But chiefly it focuses on a few individuals to whom the bridge became a symbol of all that was worth striving for in life. Among them, Douglas Stanton, called Doke, a casualty certified as recovered from his wounds and fit for duty, is sent to rejoin a "recon” troop, although his courage has left him and he is terrified that his luck has run out; and Major Clay Stanton, West Pointer and career officer, who has tried to get his younger brother off the hook. In the tremendous swirl of battle and death each came to know and understand more about the other—and himself.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Also an actor ... As a writer he seems to have slipped into a literary Twilight Zone. Also credited as story author for the 1948 film "Fury at Furnace Creek"

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating and very well written, very knowledgeable

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book and great reading! It takes place in WW2 during the advance on Berlin. A story about a bridge over the Rhine river that is key in the allies advance and the defense of Germany. Suspenseful, thrilling and the kind of book that draws you in. At 320 pages, it doesn't take that long to read at all. A historical fiction definitely worth your time! I recommend this book to anyone interested in WW2 history, whether factual or fictional.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed World War II story about the bridge at Remagen which enabled the allies to shorten the war with Germany. That aspect of the book was realistic and lifelike. It interspersed a love story between an escaped American POW and a German girl which was more superficial and dramatic. The war aspects of this novel read like a history book, while the relationship read more like a harlequin romance.