3-506 PIR on the Boschdijk
On 18 September the 506 PIR moved into Eindhoven
with the main goal to secure the bridges over the Dommel
and link up with British XXX-corps. From ‘Bokt’, an area south
of Son, second and third battalion of the 506 PIR made their way
into Eindhoven.
After a rough battle with the Germans and the 88mm guns on the Woenselse-
towards the Boschdijk. The march over the Boschdijk went fairly easy, but most
troops felt the tension moving into the city. The Germans already proved they
had some tricks up their sleeve, so the Americans decided to make sure that
every building was checked for enemy troops.
Below you see some (unpublished) pictures of 3-506 PIR paratroopers moving
through the Boschdijk. Mr. van der Voort shared these pictures with me.
His father took pictures of the paratroopers while they were chatting with the
neighbours. As far as mr. van der Voort can remember, the troops were waiting
for the route to be cleared. There was an alert that enemy snipers were further
up the street. While other troopers of the battalion were cleaering the route,
these men felt the need to make contact with the locals. Mr. Van der Voort
thought it was fantastic and he has fond memories of his moments with the
liberators.
Just moments after these pictures are taken, the paratroopers crossed the
‘Woenselse overweg’, which was a railroad crossing leading up to the center
of Eindhoven.
with the main goal to secure the bridges over the Dommel
and link up with British XXX-
into Eindhoven.
After a rough battle with the Germans and the 88mm guns on the Woenselse-
towards the Boschdijk. The march over the Boschdijk went fairly easy, but most
troops felt the tension moving into the city. The Germans already proved they
had some tricks up their sleeve, so the Americans decided to make sure that
every building was checked for enemy troops.
Below you see some (unpublished) pictures of 3-
His father took pictures of the paratroopers while they were chatting with the
neighbours. As far as mr. van der Voort can remember, the troops were waiting
for the route to be cleared. There was an alert that enemy snipers were further
up the street. While other troopers of the battalion were cleaering the route,
these men felt the need to make contact with the locals. Mr. Van der Voort
thought it was fantastic and he has fond memories of his moments with the
liberators.
Just moments after these pictures are taken, the paratroopers crossed the
‘Woenselse overweg’, which was a railroad crossing leading up to the center
of Eindhoven.
Map: a partial of an original Eindhoven map that was used by the 506 PIR.
The route of 3-506 PIR is marked with orange, leading up to the Dommel river
(orange dot) where the bridges had to be secured.
The route of 3-
Photo: 3-506 PIR paratroopers talking with the locals. The kid with the striped socks in the middle picture, is mr.
van der Voort. His grandfather is standing next to him. They seem to be listening to the soldier explaining the works
of his machine gun. The trooper might be Darvin Lee of 3-506 PIR MMG platoon. (van der Voort)
of his machine gun. The trooper might be Darvin Lee of 3-
