The Germans had wired Connect the bridge with about of demolition charges .

When the Germans sent Sending a squad of seven naval demolition swimmers wearing Italian underwater breathing Breathing apparatus , the Americans were ready GetReady .

The bridge had endured Change_sentiment months of aircraft bombing Attack , direct artillery hits Attack , near misses , and deliberate demolition attempts .

The Farakka Long March Social_event occurred Presence in May 1976 , and was led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani , demanding Request demolition Destroying of the Farakka Barrage constructed Building by India to divert flow of Ganges waters inside its territory , triggering Causation the drying up of river Padma and desertification of Bangladesh .

Intelligence reports said Statement both bridges were heavily defended Defending by the Germans and wired for demolition .

Failure to capture Conquering the bridges intact , or to prevent Preventing_or_letting their demolition by the Germans , would leave GiveUp the British 6th Airborne Division cut off Dispersal from the rest of the Allied armies with their backs to the two waterways .

3 Commando , two troops of No.2 Commando , a medical detachment of No.4 Commando , a demolition party from 101 Troop ( canoe ) of No .

The blast Attack occurred Presence a day after the anniversary Social_event of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition Destroying , in which a mosque was demolished Destroying at Ayodhya leading to nationwide religious riots Violence killing Killing over 2,000 people .