By noon on 17 December, von der Heydte's unit had scouted the woods and rounded up a total of around 300 fallschirmjäger. The force was too small to take the crossroads on its own, and had limited ammunition.
Before lunch on 17 December, von der Heydte's detachment had explored the forest and gathered around 300 airborne troops. Due to its limited size and depleted arsenal, the unit was unable to seize the crossroads alone.