British 1st Airborne Division
The British 1st Airborne was formed on October 31st, 1941. Its units saw action in North Africa, Sicily and Italy before returning to England in 1943. In 1944, 1st Airborne Division was a reserve unit during Operation Overlord. After D Day, over 15 airborne operations were planned but abandoned as the ground forces advanced so quickly the drop zones and targets were overrun.
British troops of the 1st Battalions HQ are checking their equipment prior to boarding.
Before Operation Market Garden, 1st Airborne had never fought as a single unit. However, in this operation, it was ordered to seize the Rhine river bridge in the city of Arnhem, while XXX Corps advanced from Belgium. In the initial planning stages, Gen. Urquhart had requested a defensible, flat area to land his division. Although a few areas seemed somewhat suitable, they all had disadvantages, and 1st Airborne was forced to land about 12 km from the extremely important bridge it was tasked to defend, counter to key lessons from the D Day and Sicily about landing airborne troops as close as possible to their objectives.
Major General Roy Urquhart DSO (leader of the 1st British Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden) outside his headquarters (Hotel Hartenstein).
Also, reconnaissance aircraft and the Dutch resistance had spotted some enemy tanks in woods near Arnhem. However, the 21st Army Group command disregarded these photographs, stating that the tanks were "unserviceable". Much of the Allied spy operation in the Netherlands had been turned by the Germans, leading to a distrust of the information. In fact, two Waffen SS Panzer divisions had recently been moved to Arnhem for refitting, where "nothing was going on." The Dutch resistance correctly identified these divisions and passed the information on to the Allies by September 10th. However, 1st Airborne dropped as planned on September 17th, 1944.
Map detailing the landing areas of the British Parachute/Airlanding Brigades and the Polish Brigade.
In order to quickly take the bridge, a jeep mounted unit had been sent as part of 1st Airborne. However, most of this unit's jeeps were lost when 38 gliders failed to arrive on the drop zone. Remaining vehicles were slow to move out after landing, and its leading vehicles were ambushed on the way to Arnhem. Therefore, 1st Airborne was forced to advance into Arnhem on foot. Also, only half of the division had arrived on the first day due to the decision by 1st Allied Airborne Army to make only one drop on the first day. The Divisional commanders all requested two drops on the first day. All three battalions of the 1st Parachute Brigade was sent into Arnhem; however, only 2nd Battalion was able to push through to the bridge. This battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, occupied the buildings near the north end of the bridge for the fight ahead. Frost made two attempts to seize the south end of the bridge, but both ended in failure.
British troops cautiously entering the "Old School" area in Oosterbeek.
The division made attempts to reinforce Frost at the bridge approach; however, the Germans, operating just over the border from Germany, received substantial reinforcements steadily, and were able to hold the British attacks, and then push the rest of 1st Airborne back, away from the key bridge at Arnhem, held by John Frost and 2nd Battalion. On September 20th, the decision was made to abandon Frost, and for the 1st Airborne to occupy a defense position near Oosterbeek. The 1st Airborne had landed on the north side of the Rhine, while XXX Corps was advancing from the south. It was hoped that when XXX Corps arrived, it could secure the south side of the river and cross the bridge to relieve 1st Airborne on the north side.
The Arnhem Bridge during the battle.
Col. Frost's men continued to hold the north end of the bridge inside the city of Arnhem, defending their position from several houses surrounding the bridge approaches. Although German tanks and artillery continually barraged and attacked the British positions, they staunchly held. However, by 21st September, the battalion's ammunition was all but gone. Frost's battalion finally surrendered having held the bridge area for three days and four nights. It was an extraordinary achievement that has rightly become famous; the bridge was later named in Frost's honor. The relief force arrived on the southern side of the river the day after Frost surrendered but were unable to cross in force. On the 25th, the 1st Airborne was ordered to withdraw across the river. Leaving radiomen, physicians, and the badly wounded behind, Gen. Urquhart and the 2,300 survivors of the 1st Airborne retreated across the river.
This picture shows the extent of the battle that took place in Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.