Editing Bridgehead (section)

{{Short description|Strategically important position on a river crossing which enemy forces seek to control}}
{{Other uses}}{{More citations needed|date=February 2024}}{{History of war}}
In [[military strategy]], a '''bridgehead''' (or '''bridge-head''') is the strategically important area of ground around the end of a bridge or other place of possible crossing over a body of water which at time of conflict is sought to be defended or taken over by the belligerent forces.

Bridgeheads typically exist for only a few days, the invading forces either being thrown back or expanding the bridgehead to create a secure defensive [[lodgement]] area, before breaking out into enemy territory, such as when the [[U.S. 9th Armored Division]] seized the [[Ludendorff Bridge]] at [[Remagen]] in 1945 during [[World War II]].  In some cases a bridgehead may exist for months.