Monument to the Dutch

The capture of the bridges in Sint-Oedenrode was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of 101st Airborne Division. The plan of Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Cassidy was for Company C to occupy the village and Company B. Unfortunately, Company B had gathered on the wrong side of the landing area and Company C had to go alone.

Company C soon came under heavy German fire from a shed, but after a short gun fight the Germans took off. The paratroopers moved on and to their surprise came across an extra bridge, which was not on the map and was apparently also overlooked in the aerial photographs. Captain Fred Hancock decided to conquer this bridge and when they were close by they saw some Germans approaching the bridge. These were carrying explosives to blow up the bridge. However, a well-aimed shot of a bazooka hit the explosives brought in, and the Germans were killed.

The bridge was not completely secured yet, because to the left of the bridge a group of German soldiers had taken refuge in the cemetery and attacked the bridge with machine guns and mortars. The Americans had quickly shed their stock of 60mm mortars without much effect on the Germans. After a firefight of more than 45 minutes, the Americans got the upper hand and the German fire started to wane. When a number of Company C men crossed the bridge, German resistance fell apart and the bridge was in Allied hands.

There has been a special monument at the bridge since 1994. This memorial is a gift from the 101st Airborne Veterans to the citizens who lived along the corridor in appreciation of the courage, friendship and sympathy.

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Source

• Text: Joris Nieuwint, The Battlefield Explorer
• Photos: Jeroen Koppes

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