Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway

Posting up some real accounts of what happened to the 101st during Market. This is an interesting little story. Unfortunalty is doesnt say the date though it does mention Best. which assuming the presence of British tanks (XXX CORPS) its probably quite late in the context of the game.

As IPW officer (prisoner of war interrogator) for the 502 regiment, Captain Joe Pangerl headed the IPW Team #1. The photo above shows Joe eating lunch at Dodewaard, Holland in October of 1944. Sometimes, his job afforded him the luxury of living in a building where he could set-up an office. The first night in Holland, he was taken in by a Dutch family, fed, and slept in a house with electricity and clean sheets. The next day, he encountered his friend Richard Daly, a DEMO lieutenant, who had spent the night in a hole, during intense fighting. Joe wrote: "he was so dirty, I didn't recognize him".


"In the morning, we woke up to the sounds of heavy fighting. Reports came back that our rear C.P. was overrun. About 1:30 PM went to the S-2 C.P., which was on the west side of the DZ, at the edge of a small pine woods. Went along a sandy road lined with troops walking up in single file. Warm day. Met German PWs in groups of 10-30, being brought back. Soon met wounded being carried by Germans on stretchers or shelter halves.

The Germans looked gray and dirty. All the PWs talked, low morale. The last mile, met rifle and MG fire, coming through the woods, as we came to a small pine forest, and dug-in. Very easy as ground was soft and sandy.

Origin of this was a platoon action to take the RR bridge and highway bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal. (This was) originally scheduled to be taken by the 3rd Battalion, LTC Cole, and reinforced 'H' Company, plus a section of LMGs from 3rd Bn HQ and 3rd platoon of 'C' Company of the 326th AEB, under Lts Moore, Watson, and Laier.

H Company Commander, Captain Robert Jones was supposed to go SW and come out on the Eindhoven/Bokstel road, 1,000 yards SE of Best. Got lost in pine woods and came out about 400 yards from Best crossroads. Came under heavy German fire from Best, so he withdrew back into the woods and then sent the 2nd platoon of H Company under Lt Ed Wierzbowski to take the bridges. However, so many men had been lost or missing, that only a small group was available and it was sundown.

What was learned later from captured PWs, was the British reported that the RR line from the north, which re supplied the Germans, had been cut and was not in service. Actually, the Germans had repaired it and some of the PWs taken later had been in Amsterdam, just the day before, got on a troop train and were unloaded right at Best, to go directly into combat. Some had movie theatre tickets stamped in Amsterdam just the previous day to prove their point. So instead of a small Best garrison, German troops were coming-in by the hundreds.

Colonel John H. Michaelis 502's C.O. didn't know but the 'platoon'mission was later to require a battalion, then two battalions, then half the division, plus a squadron of British tanks."

D plus 1 s/of Best, cont'd: "Was brought a large number of documents, letters and German info. Translated them and gave them to S-2 section, then dug-in and none too soon, as about 1/4 hr later, we came under heavy gunfire from the NW and the S. The pine woods was a perfect location from the standpoint of cover, and very soft ground, so we dug-in even deeper. The troops were told to move up, but soon stopped because of the very heavy resistance. All movement stopped and told to wait. We just lay in our trenches, cooling off. Again came under heavy MG and rifle fire, which when it slowed, we dug for more room for our feet and then I continued reading the German captured material and mail. Again heavy rifle and MG fire and occasional A.T. and mortar fire, from about 1-2PM, as we were stuck because of heavy German troop concentrations.

The S-3, Major Ginder, raced by jeep back to the main highway, where a British squadron of medium and heavy tanks, Cromwell, Churchill, and Sherman tanks, were stopped and making tea, ignoring all the firing going on to their left (the west). Major Ginder asked the British squadron commander to send some tanks with him so that he could rush the Germans and halt the standoff. The British officer said that his orders were to go north up the road and unless he got orders from the British HQ to their rear, he couldn't help us. Major Ginder took out his .45 pistol and told the British officer, "This is your order." The officer took his squadron and followed Ginder back to the Best bridge. About 2:15 in the afternoon, we suddenly heard the rumble of tanks and a few minutes later, we saw some British tanks and troops coming through the pine tree lanes from the west, moving past us into a small clearing, and then turned south toward the German lines. They were mainly Cromwell tanks, and with attached British infantry, disappeared through the trees. Suddenly there was the most terrific rifle and MG fire, interspersed with the dull thuds of the tank guns for what seemed like a long time. It was a good thing that we were well dug-in because it sounded like a heavy rainstorm with the bullets and shells whistling through the trees; leaves and trees fell as if cut by a scythe.

Suddenly, one of the tanks came roaring back with it's gun turret completely shot off. The MG fire was so heavy at times, that it sounded like the rushing of the wind. The Germans were trying to stop the 5 tanks which were roaring down on them through the pine woods. Now the MG fire seemed to be coming from further to the south and west. About this time, C-47's were bringing in more glider resupply, and they were still receiving heavy German 20mm AA and MG fire, and even mortar fire on their LZ. Our troops moved forward to clean out the Germans and noticed that our uniforms (M43) acted well as camouflage.

About 3:45, firing was still going on further away, but we didn't see the British tanks aside from the damaged one, which had come back earlier. Once the firing stopped, the Germans came-in by the hundreds, their hands raised, walking down the sandy road, going east to the DZ. We didn't leave our trenches, so that they wouldn't notice that they outnumbered us by far. Some Military Police came up about this time and the team guided them to an empty corner of the DZ where I remembered some of my earlier teaching at Camp Ritchie. If you capture a large number of PWs, first seperate the officers from the men and put them under special heavy guard, so they can't give orders to their men. Then ask for the "Dienst Alteste Unteroffizier" to come forward. (oldest in rank NCO). An old, grizzled Sgt came forward, jumped to attention and saluted, and reported his name and rank. As previously taught, I ordered him to assemble the men according to unit and rank on the field. He roared out the commands, and suddenly there was silence and quick assembling of the Germans into orderly groups, lined-up by rank and file. Then he told them to have them sound off and report to him, one unit at a time, as to unit, and number of NCOs and EM. I couldn't believe how beautifully it went, and in a matter of minutes, as they reported, I wrote down the whole group. The PWs were then marched back toward Zon; almost 1,500 PWs were taken that afternoon."

 

Some fantastic colout photos here of Dakota and gliders during Market.

Brave Men of World War II

 

Another interesting pic. C47 hit by flak crashed into Jagdpanther.

 

Nice stuff mate. Hell's Highway may just be the very reason for me converting to xbox

 

bought the game yesterday. Marvellous graphics! As there are a number of examinations coming, need to wait till term-break to play it.

"Often when a person is too smart, they will overanalyze things, and contradiction appear; hence, they become anxiously entrenched." Master Cheng Yen

 

bought the game yesterday. Marvellous graphics! As there are a number of examinations coming, need to wait till term-break to play it.

"Often when a person is too smart, they will overanalyze things, and contradiction appear; hence, they become anxiously entrenched." Master Cheng Yen

Finished the game & now on the Uber level with everything turned of & it great
I don't think the graphics are as good as MOH Airborne

 

Many thanks for introducing MOH Airborne, just surf Google for some information. The screenshots are Fantastic! might purchase one later.

"Rather than ask for blessings of fortune and longevity, ask for peace of mind. Peace of mind will spawn more blessings." Master Cheng Yen

 

I ordered HH from Play.com the other day for my brand new PS3, I can't wait. I'm fed up of playing Golf now

If anyone is interested..........You get a rather cool Tshirt for free too

 

Finished this amazing game last week on PS3 and all I can say is wow! (and I am not easily THAT impressed with games).

I've played almost any fps-wwII-related game since the very first medal of honor arrived on PCs at the beginning of this decade. This however, has been the first game that truly made me feel like being there and part of the story.

Even though it might seem a bit odd or difficult that you have to control teams and give orders and plan your tactics, it is done so smoothly and before you know it, you are doing it blindfold. And above all, it gives you a very genuine realistic experience.

Just standing behind a fence that is being torn to pieces by an MG42 and seeing your assault team charge from the behind a hedgerow...nothing can top that (though I am waiting to see how COD5 will be).

And the story is amazing as well (I loved the ending).

PS. The Play.com exclusive t-shirt is great and when you first see it, you're just puzzled as it is wonderfully turned into a hand-grenade and you don't know how to unfold it!

 

I've only played it once so far..............Its very good and love the head shot slow mo's

 

Help needed....Anyone got any ideas on what to do in the house when you are looking for Franky and his 'doris'?

I just keep getting burned to death and don't know where to go

ps I love fighting off the counter attacks in this game

 

Help needed....Anyone got any ideas on what to do in the house when you are looking for Franky and his 'doris'?

I just keep getting burned to death and don't know where to go

ps I love fighting off the counter attacks in this game


its a bit silly that level, gets ab it medal of honour. Keep going through the house till you get the bathroon press then run up the slope toward the window. You must press the RUN button.

The bit afterward is even more silly where you have to take on 5-6 Jerrys all armed with a Mp40 while you get a tin opener. But after that it settles down to some more realistic levels so stick with it.



Kev

 

RED: You spend more time on your back than Paddocks sister
BAKER: ??
PADDOCK: *******

Kev

 

I think after seeing the great demo with the 6 pounder gun the game a bit of a let down
Give me MOH Airborne any day

 

its a bit silly that level, gets ab it medal of honour. Keep going through the house till you get the bathroon press then run up the slope toward the window. You must press the RUN button.

The bit afterward is even more silly where you have to take on 5-6 Jerrys all armed with a Mp40 while you get a tin opener. But after that it settles down to some more realistic levels so stick with it.



Kev


Cheers I'll have a go tomorrow

 

its a bit silly that level, gets ab it medal of honour. Keep going through the house till you get the bathroon press then run up the slope toward the window. You must press the RUN button.

The bit afterward is even more silly where you have to take on 5-6 Jerrys all armed with a Mp40 while you get a tin opener. But after that it settles down to some more realistic levels so stick with it.



Kev

I think taken on the five jerry's with the pistol is one of the better maps on the game , witch is what you can't say about the burning house

 

Personally given the choice I'd let em burn to death.....I'd only go as far as the door and shout 'Come back' :p

 

I haven't played any of the BiA games so far. Which is shame, because as I read some of your discussions guys, it looks like they're more then good. Would have to finally buy a new computer, the current one I have now is simply too slow for it. I'm glad I can enjoy CoD 2 with best graphic details.

 

I found the bathroom and died again.................God I'm a crap soldier

 

Help needed....Anyone got any ideas on what to do in the house when you are looking for Franky and his 'doris'?

I just keep getting burned to death and don't know where to go

ps I love fighting off the counter attacks in this game


just keep moving fast on this map & at the end your go throw a glass window