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large concentrations of mortar fire showered the area. The enemy enjoyed unobstructed observation and
illuminating 1st Battalion positions with flares. Shelling grew in intensity, and artillery and self-
propelled weapons joined mortar fire in forcing both units from their course. Forward elements of both
companies were by now pinned down and reluctant to go forward in the face of severe fire. Eight
casualties were incurred as platoons milled about and herded together until T/Sgt Troy B Key, an 11th
Infantry veteran and acting platoon leader of B Company, together with T/Sgt Brown, a platoon sergeant
of A Company, rallied the men forward and out of bursting radius. Sgts Key and Brown moved about in
the fragment infested area to direct the positioning of flank-covering machine-gun fire, then went
forward to lead their respective units with shouts of 'Let's get them – keep going.' This resulted in a
marching fire attack against violently resisting German infantry that employed very heavy Panzerfaust
fire. The Battalion Aid Station, under Capt Scott, by now also had crossed the river and set up in a
farmhouse along the riverbank. Although outnumbered, B and A Companies continued to advance
towards Geinsheim and suffered no casualties in gaining several hundred yards. It was the opinion of
all, that had the units not moved forward as they did, annihilation by terrific and accurate concentrations
of enemy shellfire which followed would have been likely. B Company on the left flank, bore the brunt
of an infantry attack which enemy launched from Geinsheim shortly thereafter. Fierce small arms (rifle
fire, rifle grenades, hand grenades, and bazookas) engagements ensued at close range, and the line was
defended through close coordination of A and B Companies. Lt Bryant of A Company and Lt Randle
agreed that Geinsheim could be taken without further help. Despite the fact that 81 mm mortars, under
artillery fire in rear positions could not render full support, the 1st Battalion inflicted severe losses on the
enemy, while suffering miraculously light casualties (two wounded) itself in so fierce and engagement.
The 19th Field Artillery fired heavily too, in supporting the defense and by 0400 hrs the enemy
withdrew – presumably to Geinsheim where a 25 foot wide canal provided a defense to its eastern
approaches. It was believed that enemy artillery was emplaced in the vicinity of Leeheim and Erfelden
and these areas now became the targets for heavy counter-battery fire as laid down by Corps Artillery.
Actually a 10th Infantry attack was now developing in that direction.
"Meanwhile, during the time of the 1st Battalion's bridgehead fight, the 11th Infantry's 3rd
Battalion was involved in extending its bridgehead some 1000 yards to the north. By midnight the entire
3rd Battalion, less the rear CP Group, had crossed over into the bridgehead, with L Company receiving
very heavy small arms fire as it crossed in Battalion reserve during the latter period. K Company began
clearing the left half of the 3rd Battalion River area while I Company moved south to come near 1st
Battalion troops on the right flank. K and I Companies quickly moved inland to secure 500 yards of
depth on the left, and 300 yards on the right. T/Sgt Heber Braley, K Company platoon sergeant,
stumbled into a large foxhole were four Germans mapped. The Germans immediately gave up,
inquiring if these were American paratroopers. Meanwhile, L Company in reserve mopped up all
remaining resistance between K and I Companies along and beyond the shoreline.
"K Company sent two platoons North to secure the Southern tip of a small airfield by 0400
hours. resistance was at first moderate, consisting mainly of strong small arms fire including that of
Panzerfausts. A short while later some very close action developed at the edge of the airstrip in
darkness, and in local engagements which resulted in the capture of T/Sgt Heber Braley, 1st Platoon
Sergeant, and Lt Alexander G Booras, platoon leader. Realizing that disorganization at this time
threatened the bridgehead's entire left flank, Lt William B Belchee, platoon leader, regained control of
the situation by personally contacting remnants of both platoons. He moved beyond the enemy lines
under heavy fire and reorganized the leaderless platoon. Meanwhile, a good number of men of this
platoon taken cover in an air raid bunker, and were now surrounded. This information came from Sgt
Clarence A Ritchie who was captured but later escaped. Sgt Ritchie also informed Lt Belchee that the
enemy was preparing to launch a counterattack. Lt Belchee called to the rear for artillery fire which
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