Remembering all the British from the 1st Airborne Division, American and Polish young men who gave their lives to defend a series of bridges over the River Rhine between the 17th and the 26th of September 1944. Fierce fighting across the board from the 2nd Parachute Battalion at Arnhem Bridge, to elements of both the 82nd and 101st American Airborne at other bridges on route to Arnhem.
Sadly 30 Corps the armoured element of the operation could not make thier deadline, due to several factors including, intense 88mm guns positioned on the single track road, that took out a large number of tanks.
The poor intelligence that did not highlight the presence of the 8th and 9th SS Panzer Group relaxing in Arnhem at the time of the operation.
I still believe it was a successful operation insofar it showed that a well trained multi national force could fight for longer than forecast, especially as the resupply dropped in enemy hands as the days grew longer.
Brave young men
UTRINQUE PARATUSInformation
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