Arnhem in History

Fails to relieve the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem

At the Battle of Arnhem makes the comment "I think we might be going a bridge too far"

Leads an attack whih takes the Nijmegen Bridge

Proposes a bold plan to head north through the Dutch Gelderland, bypassing the German Siegfried Line defences and opening a route into the German industrial heartland of the Ruhr. Initially proposed as a British and Polish operation codenamed Operation Comet, the plan was soon expanded to involve most of the First Allied Airborne Army and a set piece ground advance into The Netherlands, codenamed Market Garden

Proposes a bold plan to head north through the Dutch Gelderland, bypassing the German Siegfried Line defences and opening a route into the German industrial heartland of the Ruhr. Initially proposed as a British and Polish operation codenamed Operation Comet, the plan was soon expanded to involve most of the First Allied Airborne Army and a set piece ground advance into The Netherlands, codenamed Market Garden

Lieutenant Jack Grayburn led an attempt to secure the southern end of the bridge but was unsuccessful, and a later attempt using a flame thrower only succeeded in setting the freshly painted girders of the bridge alight. However, the British were able to make good their position and quickly repulsed the 10th SS Reconnaissance Battalion and other German units when they arrived to secure the bridge

Additionally, Major General Williams-commander of IX Troop Carrier Command-decided that it would only be possible for one air lift per day, meaning it would take three days to deliver the entire Division and Polish Brigade to the area

However, Urquhart was severely restricted in how he could prepare and deploy his troops.

Meanwhile, the first lift suffered only light losses as the aircraft and gliders flew from British bases to the target area.

Required to secure the road, rail and pontoon bridges over the Lower Rhine and hold them for two to three days until relieved by XXX Corps.

The US IX Troop Carrier Command were limited in their availability; with two more major drops taking place at the same time, there were insufficient carrier aircraft available to fly the entire division to The Netherlands in one lift.

The first arrivals were the 21st Independent Parachute Company at 12:40, who marked the landing zones for the gliders and parachutists in advance of the main landings.

The first lift was preceded by intense bombing and strafing raids made by the British Second Tactical Air Force and the American Eighth and 9th Air Forces. These targeted the known flak guns and German garrisons and barracks across the area.

The task of securing the Rhine Bridgehead fell to the 1st Airborne Division under the command of Major General Roy Urquhar.

Airborne troops were dropped in The Netherlands to secure key bridges and towns along the Allied axis of advance.

Farthest north, the British 1st Airborne Division, supported by men of the Glider Pilot Regiment and the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade, landed at Arnhem to secure bridges across the Nederrijn.

Initially expecting a walkover, British XXX Corps planned to reach the British airborne forces within two to three days. After sweeping through France and Belgium in the summer of 1944, the Allies were poised to enter The Netherlands.

Montgomery favoured a single thrust north over the Lower Rhine River, allowing the British Second Army to bypass the Siegfried Line and attack the Ruhr. To this end, the Allies launched Operation Market Garden

After sweeping through France and Belgium in the summer of 1944, the Allies were poised to enter The Netherlands. Montgomery favoured a single thrust north over the Lower Rhine River, allowing the British Second Army to bypass the Siegfried Line and attack the Ruhr. To this end, the Allies launched Operation Market Garden

Arnhem was a victory for the Germans (albeit tempered by their losses further south]) and a major defeat for the British army. The Allies withdrew from the southern bank of the Rhine and the front stabilised on "the island" between the Rhine and Waal rivers

Arnhem was a victory for the Germans (albeit tempered by their losses further south]) and a major defeat for the British army. The Allies withdrew from the southern bank of the Rhine and the front stabilised on "the island" between the Rhine and Waal rivers

The Glider Pilots would organise the routes to the river and the whole operation would be covered by an intense artillery barrage from XXX Corps.[163] South of the river the evacuation was organised and staffed by men of the Royal Engineers of 43rd Division and Royal Canadian Engineers, using rafts

Urquhart formulated his withdrawal plan on the successful method used in the evacuation of Gallipoli during the First World War. The northernmost units would fall back first, moving through the more southerly groups who would then follow behind.

and storm boats.

Accepts withdrawal of the surviving British airborne force after the Arnhem bridge cannot be held.

Montgomery orders a retreat, the British lose 1,130 killed & 6,000 taken prisoner

The 1st airborne retreats, 2,200 are evacuated, 7,000 are captured, killed or wounded

Orders are given to join up with the Second Army on the south bank of the Rhine

Orders are given to join up with the Second Army on the south bank of the Rhine

Although the Germans counterattacked in October they were repulsed and subsequently the front line in The Netherlands would not move until after the winter