​​On the evening of 25 August 1944, a scout unit had advanced from Louviers to Pont de L’Arche. They believed that stiff German resistance would be encountered in the woods to the south and in the village itself. However, the opposite turned out to be true, as the woods and village were unoccupied.

​From Louviers, the battalion of A&SH advanced into the village on 26 August. They were looking to capture any crossing points over the large River Seine and the smaller River Eure. The Eure would need to be crossed first to then cross the Seine.

​However, there was no suitable crossing point available, and they were ordered to move west to Criquebeuf-sur-Seine. On the morning of 27 August, they crossed the Seine at first light here and followed The Algonquin Regiment.

​Whilst in Pont de L’Arche, although no German forces were within the town, the A&SH were harassed by German fire. Heavy shelling from both 88mm and mortar artillery hit the town, resulting in 12 casualties, among them Captain Abbott, Lieutenant Pogue and Sergeant Burkhold.​