Crossroads monument
Posted by: 
naj16
N 51° 57.520 E 005° 43.900
31U E 687686 N 5759965
Memorial at the location as can been seen in the "Band of Brothers" serie episode "Crossroads"
Waymark Code: WMWWBV
Location: Gelderland, Netherlands
Date Posted: 10/22/2017
Views: 14
"Crossroads"
Around half past five on the morning of October 5, 1944, American soldiers of Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and soldiers of two German companies crossed each other’s paths at this very spot. The German soldiers had crossed the Lower-Rhine river probably to reinforce an attack in the vicinity of Opheusden. A patrol of five Americans were exploring the area when they were caught in the line of fire of the enemy. Although one soldier was seriously wounded, they managed to withdraw to the command post where they reported the incident. A second patrol set off immediately, to fight back the enemy.
The second patrol snuck up on the machine gun which had attacked the first patrol, fired some successful rounds, and then returned to their fallback position. Firing from both sides broke loose. Later, the American commander discovered that the enemy was hiding behind a raised dike while his men were in a shallow ditch without any possibility of safe retreat. The best and only option was to attack. At dawn the orders were given to fix bayonets and to wait for the signal to charge.
The attack started when 35 American soldiers ran toward the dike, not realizing that some 150 Germans were waiting behind the embankment. The German company, however, was completely taken by surprise and panicked even though they were attacked by only a relatively small group of Americans. Meanwhile, a second German company crossed the dike toward this unexpected confrontation. Despite this reinforcement, the few Americans managed to hold out.
The Americans won the battle in spite of bitter German resistance. Fifty German soldiers and one American soldier were killed. The American soldier was hit by a shell fragment that pierced his heart.
May this symbol remind us of all the soldiers who fought in this battle.
Property Permission: Public
Location of waymark:
Steenkuil
Randwijkse Randdijk
Heteren, Netherlands
6666
Commemoration: Those who payed the highest price for us to live in freedom
Date of Dedication: Not listed
Access instructions: Not listed
Access times: Not listed
Website for Waymark: Not listed
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