Liberation of Eindhoven, Holland
September 18, 1944

On September 18, 1944, the 506th PIR fought its way into Eindhoven, the first large Dutch city freed from the Nazis. While the Americans were in his hometown of Eindhoven, a local wedding photographer went around taking pictures of the soldiers. Later, the photographer traded copies of the following photos to Pieter Kruit's father for two packs of cigarettes. Please contact Hoyt Bruce Moore, III if you can identify any of the Currahee paratroopers in these photos.

From Donald R. Burgett (A Co, 1st BN, 506th PIR, 1943-1945):
These troopers are all from Able Company, 506th PIR. The group sitting and
standing in center of photo is 2nd Platoon, Able Company. I am standing far
right, 2nd row, under the wrought iron protruding from the front wall of the
church.

The 2nd man from the left sitting in the first row is 2nd Platoon Sergeant
Ted Vetland. 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Able Company is sitting in the far
rear with their backs to the wall. We had completed our mission of clearing
the tall buildings in Eindhoven of possible enemy, found none, and gathered
in front of the church to board British tanks to patrol the outer limits of
Eindhoven, which we did for two days. Our first night out we witnessed the
bombing of Eindhoven by German bombers dropping flares then bombing.
Our tank patrol is described in my book, The Road to Arnhem : A Screaming
Eagle in Holland .

The tall man standing next to me in the 2nd row was a new replacement
just before our jumping into Holland. He was of Polish descent, a coal
miner from Pennsylvania. I do not recall his name, but he was either
seriously wounded or killed shortly afterward.

Thousands of people lined the narrow streets of Eindhoven,
many trying to get American soldiers' autographs.

Front: Joseph D. Liebgott; Back: Eugene G. Roe (Medic) and Burton P.
Christenson, all from 1st Platoon, E Company, 2nd BN, 506th PIR

(L-R): 1LT Burton V. Duke and SGT William Pershing,
both from HQ (Rocket Launchers), 3rd BN, 506th PIR.

Burton Duke has verified that this photo was taken on September
18, 1944 in Eindhoven, and both LT Duke and SGT Pershing are
mentioned in the article, History of Headquarters Company,
3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry.