1. Lt, Trahin (Platoon Leader, HQ Platoon - Then Asst Platoon Leader)

Ordered at 0400 on 15 September 44. to move with Lt. Polette using 1/2 section LMG's. The unit moved out at 0415. The unit contacted Lt. Tomlinson's platoon on the road block at Hatert at break of day, and moved on to carry out their mission, Scouts were fired on at 300 to 500 yards range from the bridge at approximately 0830. A fire fight followed in which the platoon was first pinned down and then forced to withdraw to cover. At 0900 Lt. Trahin contacted Lt. Tomlinson's platoon and a section of 81mm mortars under command of Lt. Ott, moving up to reinforce Lt. Polette. The mortars put approximately 76 rounds on and about the bridge and the enemy withdrew to Northwest towards the WAAL RIVER. Lt. Polette then moved in on the bridge. After the bridge had been taken a Sergeant with a squad from the 504th Parachute Infantry appeared at the bridge. He stated that he had come up the road from the southwest without opposition. Lt. Trahin at this time returned to the Battalion CP as men and weapons had been knocked out. To the host of his knowledge, no members of the 504 were present when the bridge was taken.

2. Sergeant Scale (Platoon Sergeant, Company F - Then Squad Ldr. }

The platoon under Lt. Polette arrived at dawn and had a fire fight 300 to 500 yards from the bridge. Enemy mortars, artillery, 20mm, and MG's caused platoon to pull back. The platoon then reorganized and attacked the bridge, supported by Lt. Tomlinson's platoon and one section of 81mm mortars. The platoon was contacted by a runner from the 504th Prcht. Inf. who said that a company was on the other side of the canal and to the south. This unit of the 504 in no way entered into the fire fight with the enemy and was not at the actual bridge site when it was taken. The one platoon had approximately seven (7) casualties.

3. Sergeant Seale (Section Sergeant, 81mm Mortars)

The 81mm mortars arrived during the morning to support Lt. Polette. The mortars fired some 75 rounds of ammunition on targets: bridge, pill box, buildings, and a small woods. There was no fire from the west bank of the canal from friendly troops. Before the final attack on the bridge, a horse-drawn cart was taken within 70 to 100 yards of the bridge (with Geneva Gross) to retrieve casualties that had been hit during Lt. Polette's initial assault on the bridge. At that time there were no friendly troops on or about the bridge on the west bank of the canal. At no time during the taking of the bridge did any friendly troops on the west side of the canal enter into the fire fight with the enemy. No friendly troops were present at the bridge when it was finally secured by the assault involving two rifle platoons, one 1/2 section of LMG's, and one section of 81mm mortars of the 2nd battalion.

The above statements were secured by the undersigned.
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