C U T T I N G THE C O R R I D O R

Commanders intently scanned the forward terrain with binoculars.Fields of observation were poor. A typical view of the ground in thevicinity of the corridor as viewed from the German front line.

(Bundesarchiv)

forward with binoculars. There was someconcern. Fields of observation were poorbut at least this had enabled the force toassemble undetected. It was far from idealtank country — meadows on both sides of theroad were water-logged - but this was theonly opportunity presented thus far to cutthe vital Allied route with an armoured force.On the left, Richter's Adjutant, the 23-year-old SS-Lieutenant Heinz Damaske, sharedhis commander's view of the approachingtask. As he remembered:

'The terrain was unfavourable, 700 to800 metres of practically no cover over

meadowland, then thick scrub withthe occasional tree which reached tosomething like a half-kilometre to theSt Oedenrode-Veghel road.'

6

Nevertheless, at 0545 von Maltzahn, thetank brigade commander, visited Richter,followed shortly after by Colonel Waltherto tie up the final details. The attack wouldcommence at 0900.General Taylor, the commander of the101 (US) Airborne Division, had alreadyengaged the bulk of Colonel Johnson's 501Parachute Infantry Regiment to a limitedoffensive action near Schijndel. They would

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