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From the 31st Tank Battalion After Action Report

N-31-UH:

SECRET

7 October 1944 (Cont'd):

We are being replaced here by the British 11th ArmdDiv, all afternoon their infantry have marched past the house and their reconnaissance cars have been breezing up and down the road like bats out of hell.

The enemy have been shelling us all day but it wasn't too close for discomfort until the late afternoon. Co "A" had a tragic day – around noon one of their tanks was knocked out in the vicinity of Overloon and around 2300 a half track was hit in the Bn C.P. area, killing four men – CplPompeil, Mike Jr, 33 168 071; Tec 5 Bell, James M, 32 253 313; Tec 5 Sherron, Hocutt D, 34 253 038; and PfcFrederes, William e, 32 253 386.

For several hours beginning around 2200, the C.P. area underwent severe artillery fire. Our building was shaking as if an earthquake were in progress and the air was putrid with the heavy smell of powder. When alert orders came we were all more than willing to move, hoping for a safer place. Orders came at 2350 for immediate moving.