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Bob Myers ©Stars and StripesBiebesheim, West Germany, January, 1955: German workers haul wheelbarrows of sandbags in an effort to reinforce a dike that's threatened by flood waters of the Rhine river. The Rhine reached its highest level in 35 years during storms that paralyzed much of Europe and caused at least 11 deaths. The U.S. military alerted its bases to be prepared to assist residents; dozens of troops were sent out to stack sandbags, pump water and help evacuate families. Meanwhile, in northern Germany, Scandinavia, Scotland and Ireland, blizzard conditions prevailed.