Neustadt bridge following Royal Engineers' repairs, 9 April 1945

Leading elements of 7th Parachute Battalion were crossing this bridge to secure it on the night of 7/8 April 1945 when the first arch was blown up by the German garrison defending the area.

The battalion war diary reports that B Coy suffered 19 killed, 19 wounded and a further 6 missing believed killed.

This brought the total casualties for the day up to  27 killed, 33 wounded and 6 missing following the earlier battle at Wunstorf and road mine detonation. Several of the injured men also died as a result of their wounds.