[MarkSheppard]

German forces are believed to be weak, but could have support from some tanks or assault guns. To combat this, the 17th Airborne has received some of the new 57mm recoilless rifles.

Some more backstory regarding them in this operation:

a. Twenty 57mm recoilless guns and two 75mm recoilless guns were dropped with the airborne operation around Wesel. Preliminary reports have been very favorable. One 57mm gun knocked out three tanks and one or two knocked out two tanks. This information was given by an officer who investigated the performance of the weapons, but he was unable to identify the types of tanks destroyed. The 57mm guns weighing 40 pounds were employed with two-man teams, and continuous employment caused exhaustion of the men. The size of the teams is being increased for coming operations. The 75mm guns weighing 100 pounds were mounted on the cal. 50 mount on Jeeps, and this combination proved satisfactory. Appropriate TO's and E's are required to cover the introduction of these new weapons.

Source: Observations in ETO, 1 April 1945 to 13 April 1945 by Brigadier General William A. Borden, New Developments Division, War Department Special Staff -- the guy who basically ran the US Army's "skunk works" division and saw new toys introduced to combat.