Attack on German air defence on September 17

Apparently aware of allied airplanes coming in from the channel on September 17 two German army vehicles appeared in the kerkhovensestraat in the agricultural area west of Oisterwijk.

The two trucks, each towing a mobile FLAK anti-aircraft canon stopped in front of the farm of the Verhoeven family on witch 15 German soldiers began digging pits for the two FLAK canons.

After they are finished digging the pits their anti aircraft canons are brought in place.

Both canons are one barreled type FLAK 37mm canons able to fire 80 rounds a minute ranging up to 4600 meters ground level and reaching up to 4800 meters high.

Almost as soon as the Germans are nearing completion of their work two English reconnaissance aircraft show up and start an attack on the canons by shooting at the still un camouflaged battery.

Apparently unsuccessful the two English aircraft then disappeared to be followed by four American Thunderbolt aircraft that appeared on the horizon.

These four aircraft completed a big half circle and approached the German battery low, one following the other to attack and completely destroy the German FLAK battery.

Pleased with the result the aircraft disappeared again on witch shortly after the Germans came on site to collect their dead and wounded to remove them to the German field dressing station in the poirterstraat in Oisterwijk.  

 

About 20 minutes later a large armada of aircraft belonging to the airborne fleet for Operation Market-Garden appeared overhead heading to dropzones near Overasselt, Oosterbeek and Groesbeek.

The large airborne fleet consisted of two groups, a third group that first day flew a little further to the South of Belgium heading for Veghel, St. Oedenrode and Son.

The Germans had to watch without being able to do anything about the aircraft flying over low and slow directly over their destroyed FLAK battery.

 

The next day however the Germans had moved their FLAK positions and where now well camouflaged and ready for action.

The Thunderbolt's came over again circled the area and searched but flew of again without the German FLAK being spotted.

Here in after the airborne and supply fleet came over our area again for day two of Operation Market- Garden.

The German anti aircraft was now able to come into action and did this with success.