The American 101st Airborne were tasked to secure
Eindhoven, bridges over the Wilhelminakanal to its south, and to the north,
bridges on the River Donnel and Zuid Willemswaart . The 101st had reached most
objectives by 16:00 on D Day; however the bridge at Son was blown. The move
north of XXX Corps had already been delayed by the enthusiastic crowds in
Eindhoven as they welcomed their liberators, the requirement to build a bailey
bridge at Son added further to this delay.
Once the bridge was built, XXX Corps continued to strike
north, the venerable route was however now subject to counter attack.
Operation Market 101st AB |