The Battle of Arnhem

Operation Market-Garden

The plan called Operation Market-Garden, is very important in world war II, for being the largest airborne drop in military history. In a few words this is the "Market" plan: Three Allied divisions would be involved, the US Army, 101st Airborne, would be dropped in Eindhoven and would take the canal crossing at Veghel; then again the US Army, 82nd Airborne, would land on the bridges over the Maas River and Waal River. After that, the British, 1st Airborne, would get 60 miles behind the German lines; so then later the Polish, 1st Airborne Brigade, would be dropped in the Rhine bridges at Arnhem. 

The Germans were beginning to stabilize their western forces. German units were moved into Arnhem, and while British intelligence was aware of that, their presence was discounted. The Airborne units had suffered a lot in the Normandy campaign, and are still reorganizing in their camps when the orders were set. They had returned in the beginnings of August after forty days of fighting, 40% of their members were now resting in allied cemeteries. The reconstituted Allied airborne force of World War II was the greatest the world have ever seen, probably would never see again.

In September 17 of 1944, the airborne landings began, and the Germans were even scared of the forces that were descending on them. The same morning the XXX Corps began to advance, but the Germans poured fire in the tanks and vehicles, allied air support wasn't adequate, and the Germans recovered quickly.

Almost all the Airborne forces were able to accomplish their goals, except for the 82nd Airborne, which had to build a temporary bridge to get XXX Corps across. As fellow paratroopers, they knew the British 1st Airborne couldn't hold on for too long.The British 1st Airborne was still holding on, they were supposed to be relieved on the fourth day, but after nine days the XXX Corps still didn't relieved them. It was clear that the 1st Airborne was cut off.

So then, on September 26, Montgomery ordered the 1st Airborne to break out of Arnhem and join the allied lines in the south. Out of 10,000 men dropped into Arnhem, only 2,300 could manage to came out; 1,400 were dead and over 6,000 were captures and become prisoners of war. 

Finally the Operation Market-Garden had failed, and with that the opportunity to end the war in 1944.

Written by: Paula Guardia