After their comrades of  the Black Watch have liberated Waspik Boven during the morning of 30 October, the 7th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders moves through their lines on their way to Raamsdonk. It is three o'clock in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the enemy has set up a new line of defence in this village to prevent the Allies from quickly taking the important bridge at Keizersveer. Scottish infantrymen supported by four tanks of the Northamptonshire Yeomanry notice this as soon as they enter the village. Things go wrong almost immediately.

In short order, the leading two Sherman tanks are knocked out by Germans with a so-called Panzerfaust, a hand-held anti-tank weapon. The remaining tanks open fire on suspected positions while Scottish infantrymen try to sneak their way forward. Unfortunately, many farms also fall victim to the tanks' exuberant firing. Soon most are ablaze. Civilians try to find safe refuge by crawling through the ditches. The Luiten Ambachtstraat is one huge Hieronymus Bosch-like scene of smoke, fire and explosions. By the end of the day, the British battle group has not got much further than the edge of the village. By then, twelve soldiers have been killed. Eight civilians have also been killed in the fighting. The attack is broken off at dusk. When calm has somewhat returned that night, an unbearable tension hangs in the village. What will the next day bring?

As usual, retreating German troops blow up all high points. This is also their intention in Raamsdonk. Father Leon van Herpt of St Bavo's church (1889) sees about five German soldiers entering the vicarage. Hearing that they want to blow up his tower, he tries to talk them out of it. When he discovers that they are from the Alsace, he appeals to their French pride. This works and a small miracle happens. The soldiers give in to his arguments and leave. The next morning the battle for Raamsdonk resumes and it takes until the afternoon before this last barrier before the bridge of Keizersveer is taken.