A patrol of 2nd battalion 506th PIR, was sent out from Randwijk to occupy an outpost in a building near a windmill on the South bank of the dike at the Neder Rhine. The patrol: sergeant Art Youman, private James Alley, private Joe Lesniewski, private Joe Liebgott and private Rod Strohl.
When the patrol reached the dike-road that led from north to south (paralel to the river) Lesniewski was sent to the top of the dike to 'overlook' the situation. The private spotted a German Machinegun and within seconds some handgrenades flew over the dike in the direction of the patrol. Alley was peppered with shrapnel and the others took minor wounds.
At 04.20 a 15 man patrol led by Major Winters approached the 'Crossroads' section of the dike from Randwijk (were Winters had his CP). The Germans at the Crossroad section were firing tracers south into the Island. Winters spotted a ditch on the North side of the dike (riverside) leading to the road from the river to the dike near the the culvert. He took 13 men of his patrol over to the riverside of the dike...

We retraced their steps with a 15 man patrol, in the night. We walked were the patrol made history, were the Germans crossed the Neder Rhine under protection of the brick factory, where Dukeman was KIA, were David Webster was wounded... were the patrol ran into the Germans and made a stand.

The river was under constant observation from both sides. The Germans infiltrated the lines on various occasions.
During the night of October 5th 1944 the Germans secretly crossed the Neder Rhine under cover of the brick factory.
Thus 2nd Battalion 506th PIR ran into these elements of the 363rd Volks Grenadeer Regiment near Randwijk Crossroads.

F-Company 506th PIR

Dukeman wasn't the only paratrooper killed near Crossroads. Three days after the charge at Crossroads a German attack started just after dark. F-Company 506th PIR was dug in behind the dike, between Crossroads and the Windmill. In one foxhole Privates First Class Orel H. Lev, Kenneth Hull and Bernard Tom were manning a Machinegun. A artillery or mortar shell hit their position, killing them instantly. Orel Lev was rewarded with a Distinguished Service Cross for the actions he conducted at Veghel, on the 23th of September 1944.
A few minutes later two other F-Co troopers were KIA when their foxhole suffered a direct hit also. Their names: private Clearence L. Shrout and private first class Manning G. Haney. The latter was nicknamed 'KY' and was an expert machinegunner. All five paratroopers were Toccoa Men, veterans of Normandy, and loved by their fellow troopers.
F-Company last more men on The Island; On October 7th private first class Armond R. Beauchamp was KIA in the area near Heteren and on November 2nd private Homer R. Smith and private first class Thomas G. Psar were lost their lives near Driel. All the men mentioned above (with the exception of Beauchamp) were 2nd Platoon Fox Company 506th PIR. The names of Dukeman, van Klinken and Horton are familiar to most of the people, because of Band of Brothers. We just wanted to make sure the other names mentioned above will not be forgotten. As we will not forget the all the sacrifices made by all the US, British and Polish Paratroopers fighting on the Island, side by side with Allied ground forces. We cherish their memory and will preserve their heritage. The winding dikeroad takes us back in time, the wide fields near the river can be accessed without fear these days. For all this area is one big monument dedicated to all. We will never remeber only one man, one company or one regiment. They were all brothers.

Commemoration at the Dike

Terry Poyser is a member of the Airborne Demonstration Team and was born in the same town as F-Company's Kenneth Hull. In 2004 he jumped in Normandy and twice in The Netherlands. He is a honorary member of our Para Research Team. During his 2005 visit he participated in some of our Events and he led our Para Research Team in a special commemoration on the dike in front of the F-Company positions. We payed our respects to the fallen men of October 8th 1944. With the 506th F-Co guidon brought to us from the USA we were humble to revisit the now green slopes.

A special salute from the Para Research Team to the men of Terry Poysers 2nd Battalion 506th PIR re-enactment group !
We may be an ocean apart, but The Island will always be home to you guys.

Pictures & Artwork: D.C. van den Bogert - Para Research Team (c)
Pictures: Paul Zoetendaal - Ronald Stassen - Daan de Blok

Special thanks to the Commemorative Patrol: Joost - Paul - Ronald - Jos - Johan - 'Junior' Daan - Stoffel - 'Digger' Dennis - Hans 'McGyver' & 'Tall' Dennis
Para Research Team - Paratrooper Soceity & Living History Group Holland