'The sleepy sun was just making
his first attempt to pierce the early morning mist as the 3rd Battalion
silently slipped out to attack Eindhoven. They had the tough assignment
of frontal attack and caution was the byword as they moved carefully to
avoid any ambush. The leading scouts explored every possible gun position
thoroughly and it wasn't until they had advanced a short way into the suburbs
of the city itself that sniper fire began picking at them. Deploying into
attack formations the battalion continued to advance, using bazookas extensively
to set sniper nest in barn and houses afire. Then we hit their MLR (Main
Line of Resistance). And how! The battle now resolved itself into a series
of sharp skirmishes with small groups stabbing at the enemy lines for weak
points and, once finding them, slipping in and really raising hell with
the defenders. The advance was very slow now and two 88's were making the
main road into town a shambles and any advance up it out of the question
until they were knocked out. Then came the kidney punch. The 2nd Battalion
made a wide sweep to the left and smashed into the kraut's right flank
rolling it up like an old rug and practically putting an end to all resistance.
The 3rd Battalion then cleaned out the krauts to their front easily since
the 2nd Battalion had knocked out the two troublesome 88's holding up their
advance. By 17.00 on the 18th of September 1944, Eindhoven had fallen completely
to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, to become the first Dutch city
to be liberated'.
'Currahee Scrapbook - 506th PIR - 101st
Airborne Division'
In the early morning of September 18th, 2003, we
set for Eindhoven once again with our vehicles. We did not follow the main
road but decided to extensively tour The Island region. So we passed Heteren,
Randwijk, Opheusden and the many other smaller villages with names that are
engraved in US and English history forever. For in this very region the battle
raged for months, following operation Market Garden.
The weather was beautiful, up to 26 degrees Celsius, a blue sky kept us looking
up to every plane passing by. A helluva day to jump! The fields green, corn
and apples almost ready for harvesting. Pretty similar to what the weather
was like, almost 60 years ago...
In the afternoon we linked up with the Wheels organization,
in charge of the Eindhoven Liberation Tour once again. This time 50 historical
vehicles were chosen out of hundreds, to enter the main 'defile' into the
city, ending up at the monumental square, for a drive by in honor of the
veterans, present again. Among the vehicles a true heavenly variety of GMC's,
Dodge Weapon Carriers, a DUKW, a Dingo, a Halftrack with a Quad .50, Jeeps
of various types and 'seasoning', Command Cars and even a Dodge '42 pick
up. Accompanied by English and American built motorcycles we started heading
for Eindhoven following the main road through Valkenswaard. People along
the road, flags, cheers and lights. For this is always a celebration of light & liberation!
The city of Eindhoven, known as the 'light'-city of Holland, is decorated
with hundreds of ornaments, and until October people can choose to walk or
drive a special route through the city.
The groups of tens of people started growing into hundreds when we reached
the outskirts of Eindhoven. A little boy was standing next to the road with
a home-built torch, saluting the convoy, it gave us Goosebumps. Almost all
vehicles of the convoy had young passengers, carrying flags for the initial
parade into Eindhoven. The city has a close relation with another historical
city, Bayeux (Normandy - France). Every year Dutch kids travel to Bayeux in
the summer to celebrate the liberation of that town and vice versa...
At the set time and place we dropped off the youthful passengers and wished
them well. Then we lined up again and made our way into the heart of the city;
bells of all churches ringing and thousands of people lining the road now.
We actually had anticipated lots of people and had stacked lots of candy for
the youngest amongst them, which was very much appreciated.
Near the square pace was slowing down as the vehicles were introduced by an
official speaker.
As 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment Living History Association, we were proud
to drive along the veterans, guests and other officials. Why? 'Our' boys liberated
this city a day after they had jumped into Holland. In honor of men like Major
Horton (506th PIR) and Joe Mann (502nd PIR), KIA in Holland. Remembrance brings
us all together, young and old, domestic and foreign, men and women.
And the Torch will be carried by many generations to come.
We will never forget their efforts!
Special thanks to the Wheels Organization, giving us the opportunity to team up with them once again.
Article: Donald van den Bogert
