The Allies dug in on the new
frontline which was established along the
Waal and Rhine Rivers. The 101st Airborne
held the line on what was called "the
island", the piece of land between Arnhem
and Nijmegen and between the Waal and Rhine
Rivers. They would stay here till early
November in a more or less static frontline
situation. However, the division was to
receive many casualties over the weeks due
to enemy artillery shelling and German
counterattacks. At the time they took over
the line on the Island, 506th had already lost
40 officers and almost 300 men.
Soldiers L-R:
Ossie L. Burton, PVT Preston F. Edmonds,
Svend P. Christiansen, and Arland Merle
"Buck" Holdridge. (picture courtesy of
scrapbook of PVT Svend P. Christensen (HQ,
1st BN, 506th PIR, 1942-1945) and to the 506th
Airborne Infantry Regiment Association (Airmobile-Air
Assault).
the Regiment's
1st battalion held the line from the town of
Opheusden to Dodewaard. The British division from
who were relieved from these positions told
the 506th that the sector was quiet and that
the opposing Germans were from the 363rd
Volksgrenadier Division, which was badly
mauled in Normandy, but now believed to be
back on strength.
In the early
morning of October 5th, trip flares in front
of the defenses of the 3rd Battalion
signaled the start of the large German
attack. The first attack was held. This was
soon followed by a second attack. The Germans
attacked fiercely, supported by artillery
fire and divisionary attacks by SS troops.
The attacks were repelled with heavy
casualties.
Early in the
afternoon the German attacked again. At
first I company held, but they had to
retreat due to being outflanked by the
Germans. A strong counterattack threw the
Germans back. 506th lost 6 officers and 86
men that day.
Map of the
situation in which Pvt Edmonds was
killed (map from the book
Rendezvous With Destiny)
In the evening
Colonel Sink ordered 3rd battalion to
positions south of the railway line. When H
company left their positions to take up
their new ones, the opportunity was used by
the Germans to advance over the railway
tracks and take up positions in an area
around a small railway station. Besides
heavy fighting the regiment also experiences
very heavy artillery barrages on their
position. The day continues with heavy
attacks and counter attacks. In the evening,
3rd battalion was ordered to fall back to
defensive positions, 1200 yards to the rear,
leaving Opheusden. This would leave the area
clear for rocket firing Typhoons and
artillery. On October 6th, the 506th lost 11
officers and 91 men. The fighting was far
from over. Until October 14 the Germans
tried almost daily to attack and force the
Americans east and off the island. They
would no succeed, though to heavy casualties
to both sides.
