 Within an hour of securing the objective "C" Company was forced to fight off the first of numerous counter-attacks, as a pair of enemy tanks engaged their positions.It was only "D" Company that was to reach their objective with little trouble.After hard fighting the unit had secured its objectives and taken 136 prisoners but at great loss – the dynamic and popular commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel E. P. "Tommy" Thompson was dead, killed by a sniper on the objective.