Updated by |
on 17/09/2024 |
Created by |
on 17/09/2017 |
SS KG Peiper |
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Cover Story: In Memory of Operation Market Garden 80 Years |
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19 September 1944 from mid night to early morning, Wilhelmina Canal at Son, the British engineers worked all night to complete the Bailey bridge. The 506 PIR witnessed the first tank of British XXX Corps passed through the Bailey bridge at Son. The 1st battalion of 506 PIR sent patrols to outskirt area (1).19 September 1944 morning, Venlo, the order for PB 107 was to move out and secure the Bailey bridge cross the Wilhelmina Canal at Son and move north toward Sint Oedenrode to block the British XXX Corps. The PB 107 moved from Venlo and passed Maas River and southern part of Wilhelmina Canal to Helmond (2). The weather was cloudy sky and they did not worry about the allied air strike. Major Freiherr von Maltzahn sent out combat patrol with several half-tracks to find appropriate advance route. The terrain in southeast of Son was flat with sand and marshy meadows, besides brick road with bilateral trees and further limited by Wilhelmina Canal itself and its tribute Dommel River. The PB 107 could only field the vehicles on brick road as a column and hence reduced the fighting capability. The combat patrol advanced as far as Soeterbeek Bridge which cross Dommel River located at eastern side of Eindhoven. Here they were stopped by a local Hollander who convinced the Germans the bridge was not suitable for heavier vehicles. Finally they turned and found the way through Nederwetten to Son (3). |
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It happened here: Bridge at Son.
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It happened here: Soeterbeek Bridge
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19 September 1944 noon, Helmond, the paratroopers of I. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 21 climbed on the Panthers of PB 107 as infantry reinforcement and moved out. The marching combat group consisted with two Panther companies, one Panzergrenadier company mounted on half-track and one Panzer Pioneer company mounted on half-track. Before attack Major Freiherr von Maltzahn conferred with his officers and decided Panthers should lead the attack. In the afternoon, the leading Panther, led by Leutnant Graf von Brockdorff-Ahlefeld, move along the southern dike of Wilhelmina Canal and opened fire on the vehicles over the Bailey bridge at Son (4).19 September 1944 afternoon, Bailey bridge at Son, the 506 PIR was surprised by fire and explosive. Major General Maxwell Taylor, commander of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, scrambled into the street and managed to bring a 57mm AT gun for defense. The 506 PIR tried to hold the ground. The Panthers was unable to cross the Bailey bridge and exposed their flanks. Three Panthers were knocked out and the PB 107 pulled back to Nuenen (5). |
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It happened here: the PB 107 moved from Venlo, through Helmond, Nederwetten to Son.
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Reference:1. The 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment/The US Airborne during World War II2. Panzer-Brigade 107/Axis History3. Battle Study # 13/Battledectective.com4. Panzer-Brigade 107/Lexikon der Wehrmacht5. MARKET GARDEN - 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION/OPEERATION MARKET GARDENFor more battle field tour at Son/Nederland, please visit TraceOfWar. |
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