SWORN STATEMENT

16 October 1944

I received instructions from Battalion Commander to remove my road block South of Nijmegen and move to Bridge #10, take the bridge, and organize a defense. My platoon moved out about 0320. I had 25 men. We proceeded without opposition to within 300 yards of the bridge. It was just breaking day and the light was in our favor. Germans started firing on us with machine guns, rifles, and light mortars. This was inaccurate due to the light. We continued to advance as fast as the situation permitted, My lead scouts advanced within 150 yards of the enemys positions. By this time the light was clear enough for the Germans to increase the effectiveness of their fire. My platoon was pinned down within 150 yards of the bridge.

I immediately sent a runner book to contact Lt., Tomlinson. Lt. Tomlinson was in contact with Battalion with a 300 radio, tie was on a road block about 1/4 mile to my rear, which was south. The message was for mortar fire so some of the pressure could be taken off the platoon. 10 minutes later I sent another runner with the same message..

I had set up all my machine guns and BARs to return the fire but after firing only a few rounds the machine guns were knocked out by mortar.

From time to time we could observe Germans walking, or attempting to get on the bridge. We kept, them at a disadvantage with rifle fire. It was apparent that the enemy was attempting to destroy the bridge. About 1030 the enemy blew their charges, destroying the railroad bridge and tracks but failed to destroy the highway bridge.

Around HOC we received mortar support from Lt. Ott and we fired on enemy soldiers that were withdrawing. I had lost control of my platoon so I withdrew about 300 yards to the rear along a road with a few trees. I reorganized and with 12 men of my platoon and Lt. Tomlinson's platoon, also Lt. Ott's mortars, moved back to the bridge. There was no one from the 504th assisting me in the attack. On returning to the bridge we found a group of civilians, also several men of the 504th who told us there were more 504 men on the West bank of the canal. We set up a defensive position, remaining in position until recalled by Battalion around 1730 that afternoon.

Signature:   Lloyd L. Polette

Subscribed and Sworn to before me on
this  22nd fsy of October, 1944

William H. Nation
Captain, Infantry
Adjutant