Asplund, Bernard Allen

Date of birth:: March 8th, 1925 (Cardston/Alberta, Canada)
Date of death:: November 21st, 1944 (Waalwijk/North Brabant, Netherlands)
Buried on:: Canadian War Cemetery Groesbeek
Plot: XX. Row: C. Grave: 8.
Service number:: M/107702
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Lance Corporal
Algonquin Regiment, R.C.I.C.

On Sunday 19 November 1944, a strong German patrol with snipers, crossed the Bergse Maas and occupied a house near the ferry to Drongelen.
A platoon of 30 men from the D company under the command of Lieutenant Hoofer were sent to drive them out. If they were able to take some German prisoners that would make up for the failure of their river crossing mission of the previous night. However luck was not with the Algonquins. Lt. Hoofer became disoriented by the flooded polders on both sides of him.
Finally they found the right house but all hell broke loose when the
attackers failed to give the correct light signal to the sentries of B
company, who were placed along the south drainage canal; they promptly opened fire on their comrades.
The chaos was complete as the shocked men of the patrol struggled to escape. In the darkness and confusion, the men walked into a minefield.
When these S-mines were activated, they sprang in the air and exploded at hip height. It was a bloodbath for the Algonquins.
One of those killed was Lance Corporal Bernard Allen Asplund, who lost his life at the age of 19.

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