| Special Forces Operations in September 1944 |
| September 17th, 1944 – September 25th, 1944 |
| Operation Market Garden |
| 1st Airborne Division |
| The 1st Airborne Division role in Operation Market Garden, which begins on September 17th, 1944. Their objective is to capture and hold the key bridge at Arnhem, which is crucial for the Allied plan to secure a corridor through the Netherlands and into Germany. The operation aims to create a direct route to the Ruhr, Germany’s industrial heartland, to end the war quickly. The division is dropped on September 17th, 1944, but due to various factors, including weather conditions bad communications, strong German defences, and landing areas far from their intended targets, things turn out not as planned. Despite this, elements of the division manage to secure the northern end of the Arnhem bridge, but their position becomes increasingly precarious as they face fierce resistance from German forces, including two SS Panzer Divisions that have been unexpectedly deployed to the area. Communication breakdowns, delays in reinforcement, and the failure of other Allied units to link up with them leave the 1st Airborne Division isolated and vulnerable. Over the course of nine days, the division endures intense combat, with their numbers dwindling as they fight to hold their ground. By September 25th, 1944, the division is forced to withdraw from Arnhem, with only a fraction of the original force able to escape. The operation fails to achieve its primary objective, and the 1st Airborne Division suffers heavy casualties. |
| September 17th, 1944 – September 25th, 1944 |
| Operation Market Garden |
| 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade |
| The 1st Polish Independent Airborne Brigade, led by Major-General Stanislaw Sosabowski, plays a critical role in Operation Market Garden, with their deployment initially scheduled for September 19th, 1944. Their primary objective is to reinforce the British 1st Airborne Division by securing crossings over the Rhine River near Arnhem, particularly focusing on aiding the embattled forces at the Arnhem bridge. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the brigade’s deployment is delayed, and they are not able to drop until September 21th, 1944. When they finally land near Driel, south of the Rhine, they encounter heavy German resistance. The brigade faces immediate challenges, including the lack of proper equipment to cross the Rhine and the strong German defences on the opposite bank. Over the following days, the brigade attempts several crossings of the Rhine to reach the British forces trapped in Arnhem. Despite their best efforts, including makeshift attempts to ferry troops across the river, the Poles are only partially successful. The situation for the British at Arnhem continues to worsen, and the Polish brigade’s contributions, while valiant, are insufficient to turn the tide of the battle. By September 25th, 1944, the overall situation forces the Allies to abandon the attempt to hold Arnhem, and the brigade, like the other Allied units, is ordered to withdraw. The 1st Polish Independent Airborne Brigade suffers significant casualties during the operation, and their role, despite being crucial, is marred by logistical challenges and the overwhelming German resistance they face. After the operation, the brigade is unfairly blamed by some Allied commanders for the failure of Market Garden, leading to tensions between Major-General Sosabowski and British leadership. |
| September 17th, 1944 – September 25th, 1944 |
| Operation Market Garden |
| 82nd Airborne Division |
| The 82nd Airborne Division is tasked with securing vital bridges and crossings over the Maas and Waal rivers during Operation Market Garden, beginning on September 17th, 1944. Their primary objectives are to capture the bridges at Grave and Nijmegen, ensuring a secure route for Allied ground forces advancing towards Arnhem and into Germany. The division quickly achieves its first objective by capturing the bridge over the Maas River at Grave on September 17th, 1944. They then focus on the Waal River bridge at Nijmegen, one of the most strategically important targets of the operation. The bridge is heavily defended, and the 82nd Airborne Division faces significant resistance from German forces entrenched in the area. On September 20th, 1944, the division undertakes a daring daylight assault across the Waal River, using small boats to cross under heavy fire. This river crossing is one of the most heroic and dangerous actions of the operation, and despite suffering heavy casualties, the 82nd Airborne Division successfully captures the Nijmegen bridge. This achievement is crucial for the Allies, as it allows ground forces to continue their advance. However, delays in securing the bridge and the inability of the British forces to capture the bridge at Arnhem mean that the operation’s overall objectives are not fully realized. The 82nd Airborne Division’s actions are marked by bravery and effective combat performance, but like the other divisions involved, they face challenges due to the unexpectedly strong German defenses and coordination issues among Allied forces. The division remains engaged in defending the corridor through late September, ensuring that “Hell’s Highway” remains open for supply and reinforcements, albeit at a high cost. |
| September 17th, 1944 – September 25th, 1944 |
| Operation Market Garden |
| 101st Airborne Division |
| The 101st Airborne Division is assigned several key objectives during Operation Market Garden, which begins on September 17th, 1944. Their mission is to capture and secure a series of bridges and roadways between Eindhoven and Nijmegen, forming the southern part of the “Hell’s Highway” corridor that Allied forces need to advance into the Netherlands and eventually into Germany. On September 17th, 1944 the division is dropped in the vicinity of Eindhoven, Son, and Veghel. They quickly move to secure the bridges in these areas, which are crucial for the operation’s success. However, the bridge at Son is destroyed by the Germans just as the 101st Airborne Division arrives, forcing the division to organise a temporary crossing. Engineers work rapidly to build a replacement bridge, allowing the advance to continue. Throughout the operation, the 101st Airborne Division faces continuous German counterattacks aimed at cutting off the vital supply route along Hell’s Highway. From September 18th, 1944 to September 26th, 1944, the division is engaged in fierce battles to defend this corridor, particularly around the towns of Veghel and Son, where the Germans repeatedly attempt to sever the Allied supply line. Despite these challenges, the 101st Airborne Division successfully holds most of their positions, ensuring that the road remains open for the duration of the operation. Their efforts are crucial in maintaining the flow of reinforcements and supplies, even though the broader objectives of Operation Market Garden are not fully achieved. |