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Back at the Keizer-Karel square the 3rd and 1st plt. are
holding on the Southeast side. A lot of movement to our front across the
square, I report this to plt. Sgt. Van Enwyck. He tells me to take two (2)
men and feel out the situation and see what is coming off. I take Ray
Johnson and MacMillan [McMillan] move across the square facing the street
that leads to the train station. It is here that we stop and listen to see
if we could detect any sound or movement. We were standing by a large
foxhole dug by Germans. While standing there listening, we hear the cocking
action of a German MG from across the street and knew what was to follow.
MacMillan dives for the hole with me following closely. As I land in
the hole and look up, I see Ray Johnson falling toward the hole. The tracers
from the German MG are providing enough light for me to know they are
striking him. Johnson falls on me mortally wounded. Here within two
hours two of my (basic training) comrades have been killed. "Mac" and myself
are in a hell of a position in this hole and something has to be done. The
Germans have spotted us and are throwing pop grenades trying to hit the hole
and they are coming close. Mac says, "Blue do something."
At this time I'm on top of the hole. I push Johnson's body
aside, reach for a phosphorous grenade, pull the pin, and throw in the
direction of the MG position. It went off and lit up the area as usual. I
could hear the MG crew breaking down the gun and going out of action. I call
back for our machine guns to open up and they did. They fired a few bursts
over us in direction of the Germans' previous position. At this time I call
back to cease fire, we're returning.
We returned to our line and shortly another MG opens up to
the front of the 3rd plt. There were several casualties, one being Mr. James
R. Benton, Fayetteville. N.C. (then 1944 Pfc. Benton). Mr. Benton received
approximately seventeen MG bullet wounds in the right arm, side and leg.
During the halt at the circle our operation orders are
changed. Capt. Adams is now with the encircled 2nd plt. near the Nijmegen
bridge. Lt. Foley takes command of the company. We (A and B Company) now had
the mission to return to Drop Zone "T" and re-capture it. The Germans had
moved in from Germany and were in possession of this large field. The field
(D-Z "T") was to be the landing zone for a large number of our gliders which
were to arrive at 1200 hrs. |
