The German counterattack

The German counterattack

The German counterattack that erupted in the early morning of Oct. 27, 1944, was aimed at cutting through the narrow and vulnerable Allied corridor through North Brabant. This had been created after the Allied air landings at Arnhem and the capture of several important bridges in North Brabant on the way there (Operation Market Garden).

The front near Nederweert, Ospel and Meijel

Over 20,000 well-armed and fanatical German soldiers overwhelmed the Allied troops on the front near Nederweert, Ospel and Meijel. The preliminary target of the German counterattack was the only recently liberated Asten. Initially, the attackers benefited from some important advantages. First of all, the tanks of the 9th German Armored Division proved more suitable for operations in the swampy Peel region than the Allied ones. Moreover, the skilled, experienced and tactically outstanding Field Marshal Walter Model led the offensive. And then the Germans had the advantage that they were up against the stricken 7th U.S. Armored Division, which was right here catching its breath after the heavy and bloody battle at Overloon a few weeks earlier. They were completely overrun, among others by paratroopers (Fallschirmjäger) who crossed the Noordervaart near the Hoebenbrug and took the hamlets of Winnerstraat, Kreijel and Waatskamp between Nederweert and Ospel.

The reinforcements arrive

A day later, on October 28, the Germans recaptured Ospel. The advance went beyond expectations and Marshal Model moved heaven and earth to get reinforcements. He was refused because Hitler was busy preparing for the Ardennes Offensive. Yet reinforcements eventually arrived, but not on the German side. On Oct. 29, the British brought over a Scottish infantry division and a tank brigade from just liberated Tilburg to the front in the Peel. With support from the Americans, the brought the German advance to a halt.