Defensive battle in Alphen.

The fighting in the Alphen area went on for quite a long time, although the Germans did not have a particularly convenient defensive line. It is difficult to say, from the point of view of a young commander, why they held on so strongly.
However, the fighting, which began on 5 October with the occupation of Alphen, ended on 27 October with the expulsion of the Germans from their defensive lines.
This phase of fighting lasted for more than three weeks, with heavy losses on both sides.
It was here in Alphen that we experienced the darkest day of the independent C.K.M. squadron.
We lost 2 officers and 27 soldiers killed or wounded. Resupply was not coming in and it seemed that it would not be possible to "fire" much longer.
The Germans used heavy and lighter mortars, artillery of all calibres, including 88mm armoured S.P.'s¹, which were on the job, firing in a straight line through the houses, demoralising and keeping everyone constantly on their toes.

Kazimierz Duda - Chronicles of war - 5 to 27 October 1944 - Page 88