The days following the Waal crossing were characterized by a general reshuffling of forces. The 2nd Battalion relieved one battalion of the 508, while the 1st and 3rd Battalions, after several days on the north side of the river, returned to relieve the remainder of the 508.

From that time until October 12, the 504 held a defensive line southeast of Nijmegen running from the river near Erlkom, along the southwest shore of the Wyler-Meer to the Den Huevel Woods. This period was fraught by constant and sharp attacks by the enemy supported by tanks and heavy artillery. None of these attacks, however, gained any ground and activities for the most part consisted of strong and frequent patrolling occasioned by raids on enemy positions. On October 12, the regimental line was shortened by three miles and extended from the northern tip of Wyler-Meer south to Vossendaal.

Initially it was planned to have one battalion hold the line while the other two remained in reserve. However, after several days the regiment reverted to the customary procedure of maintaining a defensive line with two battalions up and one behind - one battalion being rotated into reserve every seven days.

With the stabilization of the front, each day saw additional improvements both in the enemy's defensive situation and in those of the regiment. Enemy forces were reinforced, while their defensive fortifications were supplemented by extensive minefields and barbed wire entanglements. The 504 line underwent a similar transition.

Patrols designed to penetrate the enemy's OPLR met increasing resistance and casualties resulting from the detonating of enemy mines increased daily. It became an exceedingly difficult matter to obtain prisoners, satisfactory results being obtained only by raids made in platoon or more strength and directly supported by artillery fire.

Almost without exception, offensive and reconnaissance actions were confined to the hours of darkness. This was particularly true of the enemy since the 504, controlling the high ground, had the advantage of observation. German artillery fire was heavy, ranging from 50mm mortar shells to gigantic 210mm rocket projectiles, which fell too frequently within the regimental area. However, though heavy casualties were suffered as a result of enemy artillery fire, it is a fair assumption (based on prisoners' reports and other Information) that German casualties were disproportionately higher.

Statistically, the 504 established an approximate advantage of ten to one over the enemy in regard to casualties suffered during the period 17 September, through 13 November, 1944 - the date on which the regiment was relieved by the 8th Canadian Brigade. On the Holland mission, the 504 spent 57 consecutive days in the line without relief and amassed a casualty total of 98 men killed, 88 missing in action, and 443 wounded. On the other hand, the regiment captured 919 of the enemy, killed approximately 1100, and wounded an inestimable, but undoubtedly much larger number.

The regimental motto, "Strike-Hold", had never been more forcefully demonstrated on the battlefield. The 504, tired but unconquerable, had gallantly maintained its record of never having failed to accomplish a mission, and of never having relinquished any ground it had once occupied. Prime Minister Winston Churchill said this about the Holland airborne operation: "Not in vain maybe the pride of those who have survived, the epitaph of those who died." It was with glad hearts that men of the 504 boarded trucks, passed through Belgium, and arrived at their new camp in France.

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