September 18th, 1944, 1st Airborne Division

Preparations for the Second Lift

In Great Britain, the ground crews of the US IX Troop Carrier Command and the No. 38 Group and No. 46 Group of the Royal Air Force Transport Groups work tirelessly to prepare their aircraft for the second lift, achieving a turnaround within 24 hours after the success of D-Day. The unexpectedly low casualty rate among the transport squadrons during the first lift over the Low Countries and the minimal battle damage greatly facilitate this rapid preparation.

At the American airfields of Saltby and Spanhoe, activity is in full swing as they prepare to transport 2,119 men of the 4^th Parachute Brigade to Drop Zone Y. Saltby launches two serials of 36 C-47 transports, while Spanhoe contributes two serials of 27, totaling 126 aircraft. Alongside the paratroopers, the Americans also carry 51 tonnes of essential combat supplies.

Simultaneously, preparations for the second glider lift of the 1_st Airlanding Brigade proceed smoothly, with 297 tugs and gliders loaded and ready to depart for Landing Zones X and S. This lift includes the remaining elements of the 1^st Airlanding Brigade, notably the two rifle companies of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and the artillery guns of the 2^nd (Oban) Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery.

The number of gliders has increased from 270 to 297 overnight, as those from aborted sorties and emergency landings are added back into the operation. The 24-hour delay due to weather conditions inadvertently plays to the planners’ advantage, allowing more resources to be mobilized for the second lift.

The skies over England clear sporadically through the morning, with troops and airmen waiting impatiently by their aircraft. Among those preparing are members of Royal Air Force Light Warning Units 6341 and 6080, a group of Royal Air Force airmen hastily assembled to operate Forward Director Posts for Radar guidance of Allied fighters over the landing zones. These personnel, with limited military training, find themselves unexpectedly integrated into the airborne operation after their deployment was reinstated through the personal intervention of Wing Commander Brown.

The inclusion of these Royal Air Force personnel is a late addition, secured only after Wing Commander Brown personally appeals to General Browning to reinstate the Radar units in the operation. Once deployed, these ground stations, split into transmitters and receivers loaded into separate gliders, will attempt to coordinate fighter cover in the skies over Arnhem, a critical role given the increased German air and ground opposition.

The second lift, is scheduled to depart from England at 07:00. This massive air operation involves over 2,500 aircraft across the entire Market-Garden reinforcement effort. However, on that Monday morning, many airfields in England are shrouded in mist, causing all flying operations to be postponed until visibility improves. The second lift faces a four-hour delay, but this critical information cannot be communicated to the isolated division in Arnhem, which is out of radio contact. On the landing grounds near Wolfheze, troops wait with growing impatience for reinforcements that seem increasingly uncertain.

Originally scheduled to arrive at 10:00, the delay also gives the Germans at the landing- and drop zones extra time to prepare.

German Defences

The arrival of the 2^nd Parachute Battalion at the northern end of Arnhem Bridge, comes at a particularly inopportune moment for the Germans. The 10. SS-Panzerdivision “Frundsberg” has not yet crossed the Rhine in sufficient numbers to execute their planned defence of Nijmegen. With Lieutenant-Colonel Frost’s troops securing the bridge, it becomes impassable for German forces, forcing the division to reroute their men and vehicles via the ferry at Pannerden, roughly 10 kilometres to the east. This method is slow and inefficient, prompting orders for the immediate destruction of the British force at Arnhem Bridge to clear the way for German traffic.

The task of eliminating the British at the road bridge falls to Kampfgruppe Brinkmann, which exists of 10. SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs Abteilung and other smaller units of the 10. SS-Panzerdivision “Frundsberg”, now operating under the command of the 9. SS-Panzerdivision “Hohenstaufen” after their own reconnaissance battalion was sent to Nijmegen. SS-Sturmbannführer Brinkmann, in command of Kampfgruppe Brinkmann, is bolstered by eight tanks and four infantry companies from Kampfgruppe Knaust, a unit from Wehrkreis VI. These forces are directed to launch coordinated attacks on the bridge from both the north and east.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Airlanding Brigade is under fire from multiple directions. Kampfgruppe von Tettau under Generalleutnant Hans von Tettau has rapidly assembled a makeshift force comprising various units, including SS-Unteroffizierschule “Arnheim”, SS-Wachbataillon 3, Panzer Kompanie 24, and elements from the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and police. This Kampfgruppe has grown to nearly divisional strength. While these units lack extensive combat experience, their numbers allow von Tettau to continuously reinforce the front lines, aiming to gradually wear down the British forces. Despite their inexperience, these units are effective enough to deliver sustained harassing fire on the landing zones, increasing pressure on the 1^st Airlanding Brigade.

Defending the landing- and Drop Zones

At the drop zones, concerns begin to mount at Divisional Headquarters. No communication has been received from the 1^st Parachute Brigade, and it becomes increasingly clear that they are facing significant resistance. The situation is further complicated by the continued absence of Major-General Urquhart, with German radio broadcasts claiming that he has been killed. In response, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, Urquhart’s Chief-of-Staff, places Brigadier “Pip” Hicks in temporary command of the Division. The command of the 1^st Airlanding Brigade transitions rapidly to Colonel Hilaro Barlow after Brigadier Hicks moves to the 1^st Airborne Division Headquarters at 09:00 hours. By this time, the Division Headquarters relocates from abandoned gliders to wooded areas west of Oosterbeek, near the Utrechtseweg, close to the site of the Kussin ambush. This moves, prompts Iain Murray’s 1 Wing Headquarters to shift from Wolfheze to a position near the Arnhem-Utrecht road. Increased small-arms and support weapon fire from Arnhem is now a constant backdrop, and casualties steadily flow westward along the road. Hicks temporarily assumes command of the 1^st Airborne Division at 09:15 hours. Once here, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, advises him to send reinforcements to Arnhem as soon as possible.

However, options are limited. The 1^st Airlanding Brigade, the only available front-line infantry, is fully committed to defending the landing and drop zones. Despite this, Hicks takes a calculated risk, ordering the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment to move from their positions around Landing Zone S, north of Wolfheze, to support the 1^st Parachute Brigade in Arnhem. This decision leaves the drop zone dangerously exposed, now defended only by a troop from the Reconnaissance Squadron and fifty Glider Pilots. Lieutenant-Colonel McCardie, commanding the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, is tasked with leading his men into Arnhem. Although only half of the Battalion arrived on the first day, the remaining companies, A, C, and half of Support Company, are expected to arrive with the Second Lift, which is scheduled to arrive in a few hours. They are to follow Lieutenant-Colonel McCardie into Arnhem as soon as they have landed. Hicks and Mackenzie also decide that once the 4^th Parachute Brigade lands, the 11^th Parachute Battalion will be redirected to reinforce Arnhem as well. At 09:30 hours, the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment clears their original positions and begins moving towards Wolfheze.

Throughout the morning, the 1^st Airlanding Brigade engages in multiple skirmishes with enemy forces. At Heelsum, on the southern edge of Landing Zone X and Landing Zone Z, D Company of the 1^st Battalion, Border Regiment, supported by artillery from the 1^st Airlanding Light Regiment, repels several probing attacks by SS-Battalion Schulz and the Soesterberg Fliegerhorst Battalion of Kampfgruppe von Tettau. Further north, A Company mistakenly identifies approaching aircraft as friendly and rushes out to greet them, only to discover they are German Messerschmitt-109’s. The ensuing strafing run results in seven dead and fourteen wounded. A total of thirty German aircraft conduct strafing runs over the landing zones that morning, but the damage is otherwise minimal.

More than a kilometre away from the rest of the 1^st Battalion, Border Regiment’s defensive positions, B Company holds the brickworks at Renkum, overlooking the Utrechtseweg, a likely route for enemy reinforcements. At 07:00, unaware of the British presence, German troops from Naval Manning Battalion 10 arrive in the village. B Company remains hidden until three Germans on a motorcycle and sidecar arrive, drawing a crowd from a nearby building. The British open fire, catching the Germans off guard and inflicting heavy casualties. Later, another group of German infantry approaches, but they are quickly driven back by Vickers machine-gun fire. Subsequent attempts by the Germans to dislodge B Company are similarly repelled, but the company eventually becomes surrounded and subjected to continuous mortar fire. Despite this, they manage to withdraw unnoticed along the riverbank after 14:00, though they are forced to abandon their mortars and anti-tank guns due to damaged Jeeps.

The 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers also face significant challenges. D Company’s No. 16 Platoon, isolated on the northeastern corner of Drop Zone Y, comes under attack by No. 5 Company of SS-Wachbataillon 3. Lacking support and with Dutch civilians sheltering in their position, the platoon suffers seven fatalities before being forced to surrender. The Germans then occupy this position, giving them a clear view of the drop zone and preventing the rest of D Company from counterattacking enemy forces reported in the nearby woods.

To the west of Drop Zone-Y, B Company, already weakened by the absence of No. 7 Platoon is repeatedly engaged by SS-Wachbataillon 3., primarily composed of Dutch volunteers. In one encounter, a convoy of vehicles heading towards Arnhem from Ede is halted by anti-tank fire, and as the German troops dismount, they are cut down by British fire. Later skirmishes around B Company’s position are decisively repelled using a combination of patrols, mortars, and artillery support.

A Company, holding an isolated position several kilometres to the east, faces its own difficulties. During the night, No. 4 Platoon ambushes two German patrols, inflicting heavy casualties, but this draws repeated enemy attacks at dawn. The platoon is eventually overwhelmed, with only a few men managing to make their way back to the main company position.

Elsewhere, 9 Flight of the Glider Pilot Regiment spends the night defending the light artillery of the 3^rd Battery, 1^st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery. For many troops around the landing zones, the morning starts on a relatively positive note, with clear skies and minimal enemy activity. Sergeant Tom Owen describes how his flight occupies a deserted Dutch house, enjoying a breakfast from a bucket of preserved eggs left by the fleeing residents, only to have the house later destroyed by German shelling.

Later in the morning, 9 Flight relocates with 3^rd Battery, 1^st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery to Oosterbeek Church, setting up their final gun position and commencing their first fire mission at 10:00 hours. From here, they provide crucial artillery support to 2^nd Parachute Battalion, engaging German forces, including the 9. SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs Abteilung, commanded by SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Victor-Eberhard Gräbner attacking Lieutenant Colonel Frost’s Forces at the Anhem Road Bridge, and targeting enemy mortar positions hindering the advance of British forces.

The Start of the Second Lift

As the morning mist begins to lift, aircraft gradually begin to take off. The departures are staggered; No. 46 Group, Royal Air Force starts lifting at 10:43, followed by No. 38 Group, Royal Air Force at 11:00. The aircraft follow two main routes across the North Sea, with most troop-carrying planes directed to the northern route to avoid forecasted weather issues over the southern path. The second lift’s path is complicated by weather challenges, with significant cloud cover over southern England forcing many formations to fly below their planned altitudes. Crossing the North Sea, pilots and co-pilots are vigilant, navigating through both natural and operational hazards. The dense formations and poor visibility result in several near misses, emergency detachments from tugs, and occasional forced landings.

As they approach the Dutch coast, the formations encounter intensified anti-aircraft fire. German flak units, now repositioned and better prepared, create a corridor of fire, forcing pilots to perform evasive maneuvers. This hostile airspace becomes a critical test of the pilots’ skills, as maintaining formation under fire while towing gliders is an immense challenge. Some gliders and aircraft are hit, forcing emergency landings or causing structural damage that complicates flight control. Several gliders are reported to have broken free prematurely, descending away from their intended landing zones. Despite these difficulties, most of the transport aircraft and gliders press on, committed to reaching their designated drop and landing zones around Arnhem.

The Landing of the Second Lift

As the Second Lift finally approaches Arnhem, the 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers on Landing Zone Y come under heavy attack. Headquarters, Support, and C Companies are engaged in repelling German advances from the south and southeast, while D Company attempts to clear enemy troops that infiltrated the eastern edge of the zone earlier in the day. However, the woods to the north remain under German control.

The 4^th Parachute Brigade, numbering 1,914 men, has been told that their drop zone would be secure by the time they arrive. Instead, as they prepare to jump, they find themselves descending into an active battlefield. German flak gunners target the incoming aircraft, downing several. In one instance, a Dakota C-47 is hit directly and crashes, killing the crew and 19 paratroopers from the 156^th Battalion’s Machine Gun Platoon.

Despite the chaos, the American aircrews of the 314^th Troop Carrier Group and the 315^th Troop Carrier Group maintain steady control of their planes, dropping the 4^th Parachute Brigade on target at 15:09. To minimise their exposure to enemy fire, the aircraft fly in tight formation, resulting in a swift drop that lasts just nine minutes. Several groups of paratroopers miss their intended landing zones entirely, with some landing as far as thirteen kilometers from their target. Others find themselves dropping directly among the German troops positioned to the west of the planned landings. Many paratroopers are immediately engaged in skirmishes with the enemy as soon as they touch down. Despite these challenges, the paratroopers gradually manage to reach their designated rendezvous points in the relative safety of the nearby woodland. Here they assemble into near-complete battalions in preparation for their next movements. The 4^th Parachute Brigade suffers an estimated 32 fatalities during the drop, not including those lost in flight.

Shortly after the parachute drop, 273 gliders approach Landing Zone S and Landing Zone X. The majority of gliders land on Landing Zone X, while the remaining 25 percent of the force touches down north of the railway line on Landing Zone S. The 69 gliders bound for Landing Zone S, mostly carrying the remainder of the 1^st Airlanding Brigade, are met with heavy flak, forcing pilots to take evasive action and perform steep dives during their final approach. Despite the challenges, the gliders land safely among the remnants of the First Lift, allowing the troops to disembark and carry out their missions without significant difficulty. Fortunately, the northeastern section of the zone, left vulnerable by the departure of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, goes unnoticed by the Germans.

The 204 gliders landing on Landing Zone X, carrying the remainder of the divisional units, come under sporadic fire from German troops who have infiltrated between A and D Companies of the 1^st Battalion, Border Regiment on the western side of the zone. Several gliders are hit, but casualties are minimal due to the effective response of the mortar crews, who time their attacks to suppress the Germans as the gliders land.

On Landing Zone L, 33 Royal Air Force Short Stirlings drop eighty-six tonnes of supplies, but the area has been largely overrun by German forces, resulting in only about twelve tonnes reaching British hands. Despite this setback, the 1^st Airborne Division is now fully assembled and prepared to advance on Arnhem Bridge.

Enemy fire continues to impact the landing- and drop zones throughout the day, with increasing numbers of von Tettau’s forces moving into position around the perimeter as they advance eastward. Glider pilots, signallers, engineers, and artillerymen on the drop and landing zones are compelled to defend themselves while carrying out their tasks. The Germans are widespread, targeting any movement. The second lift proves to be far more contested than expected, with the landings taking place under persistent and challenging conditions.

During the second lift, Lieutenant Davis, an American officer, accompanies the mission. Initially, his task was to coordinate communications with the U.S. Air Force, which could provide air support to the ground troops. However, since this role is now being handled by the British, his involvement is no longer necessary. Nevertheless, Davis volunteers to join the operation and flies in one of the gliders.

Due to intense anti-aircraft fire, his glider detaches from the tow plane approximately five minutes early, landing near Zetten. Davis and the other crew members, along with two additional glider teams that also landed in the area, are soon guided by a local resistance major to the ferry crossing at Driel.

In Driel, a group of Germans approaches them to surrender, but they are revealed to be Polish soldiers who had been conscripted into German service and are unwilling to fight. Since the British, along with Davis, need to continue their advance, and the local civilians cannot hold prisoners in occupied territory, the Poles are released. The Poles surrender a few days later again when the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade lands in the area.

The group successfully crosses the Rhine using the ferry and pushes eastward, but they are halted near a railway station, likely Oosterbeek Laag, before they can proceed further.

Glider Pilot Regiment

While the Second Lift is landing, 1 Wing of the Glider Pilot Regiment from moving away from their defensive positions. By 16:00 hours, 1 Wing GPR has advanced eastward along the Arnhem-Utrecht road towards Arnhem, following orders to establish defensive positions around the new Divisional Headquarters at the Hotel Hartenstein in Oosterbeek, approximately 6 kilometers from Arnhem Bridge.

The relocation of 1 Wing into Oosterbeek creates immediate logistical challenges, particularly regarding the handling of German Prisoners of War. As reserve troops for Divisional Headquarters, 1 Wing of the Glider Pilot Regiment is tasked with guarding and managing the Prisoners of War. Men like Staff Sergeant Joe Price of E Squadron and Sergeant Len Affolter of D Squadron are assigned by Murray to assist with this responsibility.

Initially, Price and Affolter escort a number of wounded German prisoners to the Brigade Dressing Station in Wolfheze. After completing this task, they return to the headquarters and are soon dispatched again, this time escorting around forty prisoners, including a Luftwaffe telephonist named Irene Reimann. The prisoners are eventually secured for the night in the classrooms of the JP Heije School in Oosterbeek, ensuring they are safely contained as British forces continue to reorganize and strengthen their positions.

Meanwhile, 2 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment, under the command of John Place, remains engaged in defending the landing zones, delaying their movement compared to their counterparts in 1 Wing. The orders for 2 Wing are clear and strategic: Place and his pilots are directed to establish defensive positions centered on spot height 63.5, between the Graftombe and the Ommershof estate. Their designated area is set to cover up to, but not including, the railway line, providing a vital defensive perimeter for the brigade.

On the left flank of 2 Wing, the 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers hold a line extending from the glider pilots’ positions to Heveadorp. The deployment of Glider Pilot Regiment units is integrated into the overall Brigade defense plan, filling critical gaps left by casualties and the earlier movement of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. This alignment of forces is crucial as the British work to secure their foothold and prepare for anticipated German counterattacks.

Unbeknownst to John Place at the time, the position established by 2 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment will become a crucial line of defence where his pilots will fight alongside their Airlanding Brigade comrades for the remainder of the battle. This line will serve as a frontline defensive position against repeated German assaults, with glider pilots, often considered non-combatants, actively engaging in ground combat to hold key terrain.

At 17:00 hours, the 1^st British Airborne Division establishes its new Headquarters at the Hartenstein Hotel in Oosterbeek, approximately 6 kilometres from the Arnhem Road Bridge. 1 Wing of the Glider Pilot Regiment is tasked with securing the area, moving into defensive positions around the hotel gardens before the headquarters becomes fully operational. These positions form a protective perimeter around the divisional command, which will serve as a critical hub for coordinating the ongoing battle.

Glider pilots, traditionally not frontline soldiers, adapt quickly to defensive roles around the Hotel Hartenstein. Several pilots, who had landed earlier as part of the first lift with anti-tank guns, are ordered to remain with their loads and provide immediate defensive firepower. Positioned strategically along key roadways, they establish gun positions facing likely approaches for enemy forces. Trenches are dug around the hotel grounds, and personnel are deployed to patrol the nearby streets, maintaining a vigilant watch for advancing German units.

Defensive duties include setting up machine gun positions and conducting reconnaissance of the surrounding areas. Early encounters with German forward elements highlight the proximity of the enemy, with frequent exchanges of gunfire between the defensive positions and German units operating in the built-up areas around Oosterbeek. Patrols often come under fire from concealed positions, forcing them to withdraw back to the safety of the main defenses.

The German threat is evident almost immediately, with reports of machine gun fire and small skirmishes taking place near the hotel. Defensive patrols, tasked with holding the perimeter, frequently encounter German forces hidden within houses and other structures. These engagements underscore the close-quarters nature of the battle, as defenders and attackers maneuver within just a few hundred metres of each other.

The positioning of Glider Pilot Regiment units around the divisional headquarters serves to protect this vital command post, but also places the pilots in direct combat situations far from their typical roles. These actions are critical in maintaining the integrity of the command structure, allowing the division to continue its operations amidst the increasing pressure from German forces encircling the area.

While many glider pilots are concentrated around the Hartenstein Hotel, other elements of the Glider Pilot Regiment are dispersed across the battlefield. Some units remain engaged in direct support of forward positions, including those at Arnhem Bridge, where intense fighting continues. Other groups are attempting to push forward and link up with key defensive lines, often navigating through contested streets and open ground under fire.

Reports from these units describe the chaotic conditions within Arnhem and its outskirts, where the urban landscape has been transformed into a battleground. Civilians take shelter as the sounds of artillery, gunfire, and explosions echo throughout the town. The atmosphere is tense and unpredictable, with sporadic enemy contact and the ever-present threat of being caught in crossfire or targeted by artillery.

Amidst the ongoing combat, various Glider Pilot Regiment units attempt to regroup and maintain cohesion, often operating with limited communication and resources. Small groups of glider pilots, separated during the landings, work to reconnect with their main forces, navigating through the battle-damaged terrain. Makeshift units are formed as these personnel consolidate their numbers and integrate into the existing defensive framework.

4th Parachute Brigade

Upon landing, the 4^th Parachute Brigade experiences considerable confusion about their objectives. They had anticipated assembling on a quiet drop zone and then advancing along the Amsterdamseweg to relieve the 1^st Parachute Battalion, which they believed was holding the high ground north of Arnhem. From this position, they planned to secure the northern and eastern sectors of the town, with the eastern area to be handed over to the Polish Brigade upon their arrival with the Third Lift. However, due to a breakdown in radio communications, the brigade is unaware that the 1^st Parachute Battalion has not taken the high ground and is instead locked in a desperate struggle to reach Arnhem Bridge.

Brigadier Hackett is quickly updated after landing, first by his Brigade Major, who has arrived earlier with the Brigade Advance Party on the First Lift, and then by Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, the Division’s Chief-of-Staff. He learns that Brigadier Hicks is temporarily commanding the Division and that the 1^st Parachute Brigade is in serious difficulty. Hackett is displeased to discover that the 11^th Parachute Battalion is to be detached from his command and sent into Arnhem immediately. This decision not only reduces his infantry strength by a third but also seems hasty, given the lack of consultation and the unknown extent of casualties during the drop.

With no new orders, the 4^th Parachute Brigade continues with their original plan. The absence of the 11^th Parachute Battalion slows their progress, as only the 156^th Parachute Battalion is immediately available to advance, while the 10^th Parachute Battalion remains on the drop zone to cover the 133^rd Parachute Field Ambulance as they tend to the wounded. At 17:00, the 156^th Parachute Battalion begins moving east along the railway line, making good progress until they reach the edge of Landing Zone-L. Here, the leading platoon of C Company comes under intense enemy fire, halting their advance. With darkness approaching and the enemy’s positions unclear, a night attack is deemed too risky, so the battalion halts and waits for dawn.

Meanwhile, the 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers arrives at Landing Zone-L, where they are tasked with securing the area. Their B Company also encounters heavy resistance, facing the same strong opposition as the 156^th Parachute Battalion. Both units have encountered Sperrverband Spindler, a blocking line established by the 9. SS-Panzerdivision “Hohenstaufen” under Sturmbannführer Spindler’s command. This formidable line stretches from north of the Amsterdamseweg down to the Rhine, effectively hindering the British advance.

Hackett’s 11^th Parachute Battalion is next to make its move. The battalion quickly assembles on the landing grounds and begins its march as though on exercise, following its brigadier to the area around the divisional headquarters at the Hartenstein Hotel. Brigadier Hackett is understandably frustrated by the changes in plan. Determined to voice his concerns, he heads to the divisional headquarters, which has been relocated to the Hotel Hartenstein in Oosterbeek. Upon meeting with Brigadier Hicks, Hackett argues that his original orders to secure the high ground north of Arnhem should remain in place. However, Hicks refuses to alter his decision, recognising the serious situation unfolding in the town. Hackett is displeased with the reduction of his command and the tensions between the two brigadiers persist throughout the remainder of the battle. Additionally, Hackett is upset that Hicks, despite being junior in rank, is in command of the division. Despite his reservations, Hackett eventually, agrees to the detachment of the 11^th Parachute Battalion, as they are closest to Arnhem. In return, he requests that the 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers be placed under his command. Although Brigadier Hicks later consents to this, Hackett’s ability to manoeuvre the 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers is limited as they remain responsible for securing Landing Zone L for the Polish glider lift scheduled for the next day.

Meanwhile, 11^th Parachute Battalion waits for two hours at Hotel Hartenstein before resuming their march along the direct route into Arnhem via Utrechtseweg, eventually arriving in the congested area near Sint Elizabeth Hospital. Along the way, they encounter and deal with small enemy skirmishes.

Shortly after the 11^th Parachute Battalion’s advance, the second group of the South Staffordshire Regiment, which landed earlier that afternoon, also moves along the road to join the advance party of its battalion. Eager for action, they experience the same stop-and-start progress as the other battalions, navigating through small, concealed enemy positions. This movement brings two fresh battalions into the area near the hospital, where the 1^st Parachute Battalion and 3^rd Parachute Battalion are already positioned. With four battalions now assembled, a concerted effort might have pushed through to the bridge by sheer force of numbers. However, the brigadier in command, Brigadier Lathbury, has been wounded and is being cared for by Dutch civilians, while the commanding general, Major General Urquhart, remains in hiding.

After meeting with Brigadier Hicks at the Hartenstein Hotel, Brigadier Hackett plans for his 4^th Parachute Brigade to proceed according to its original directive, to secure the high ground north of Arnhem. To replace the 11^th Parachute Battalion, which had been released from guarding the landing grounds, Hackett is given the 7^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers. The battailon is tasked with taking the ground north of Landing Zone L, allowing Hackett’s 156^th Parachute Battalion to pass through and seize the key high ground between Amsterdam road and the railway line. This maneuvre would enable Hackett’s third unit, the 10^th Parachute Battalion, to continue its advance to a position north of the railway, forward of the hospital and close to the center of Arnhem. The goal is to secure the left flank of the 11^th Parachute Battalion and the South Staffordshires.

This triple advance begins during the night, but none of the battalions makes significant progress. As they push forward, they encounter Kampfgruppe Spindler from the 9. SS-Panzerdivision, which is holding a strong blocking line just north of Oosterbeek. This position is well short of the initial high ground that Lieutenant Colonel des Voeux’s 156^th Parachute Battalion aims to secure, effectively halting their advance.

At dawn, the 4^th Parachute Brigade is ordered to swiftly secure the high ground at Koepel, located north of Oosterbeek and the railway line. From this vantage point, the brigade is to advance towards Arnhem, aligning on what is believed to be the left flank of the 1^st Parachute Brigade, to enable a coordinated two-brigade assault on the town.

1st Parachute Brigade

Despite generally poor radio communication, the 1^st Parachute Battalion receives the message clearly. Lieutenant-Colonel Dobie, who is not particularly enthusiastic about his assigned task of capturing the high ground north of Arnhem, decides instead to lead his Battalion to the bridge. The 1^st Parachute Battalion moves cautiously through the night, taking every precaution to avoid detection, including switching off Jeep engines and silently manhandling them and their anti-tank guns past German patrols.

Despite these efforts, resistance is encountered, and casualties increase. The greatest challenge is the fragmentation of the Battalion, as small groups become separated in the darkness after being delayed by enemy actions. With parts of the mile-long column coming under sniper and machine-gun fire, the Battalion gradually loses cohesion, allowing the Germans to capture stragglers. By morning, the 1^st Parachute Battalion has lost contact with half of the 548 men it brought into battle.

The 1^st Parachute Battalion, having abandoned its original mission to capture the high ground north of Arnhem, shifts direction to the southeast during the night, eventually reaching the Utrechtseweg, the route taken earlier by the 3^rd Parachute Battalion, known as the Tiger Route. Aware that the Germans are less inclined to fight in the dark, the Battalion, led by Major Stark’s S Company, makes significant progress before dawn, passing through Oosterbeek without incident. However, at 05:00, just beyond the town, they encounter strong resistance while attempting to pass under a railway bridge. In the ensuing firefight, No. 7 Platoon takes heavy losses, with seven men killed, several wounded, and two captured. Major Stark prepares for a flanking manoeuvre with his remaining platoons but given the enemy’s strength and the need to avoid further delays, Lieutenant-Colonel Dobie orders S Company to disengage. T Company then takes the lead, guiding the Battalion southward in hopes of finding a clearer path along the Lion Route, successfully used by the 2^nd Parachute Battalion the previous day.

Meanwhile, the 3^rd Parachute Battalion resumes its advance at 04:30 after resting overnight. Both Major General Urquhart and Brigadier Lathbury are at 3^rd Parachute Battalion headquarters. Believing the road ahead to be heavily defended, the battalionis ordered to avoid direct confrontation by shifting onto the lower Lion Route. Like the 1^st Parachute Battalion, they move quickly under the cover of darkness, and by 07:00, B Company, leading the way, reaches Arnhem, just 1.5 kilometres from the Bridge. Although resistance ahead seems minimal, they are forced to halt as they have advanced far ahead of the rest of the Battalion. Following behind are A and Headquarters Companies, which include all of the Battalion’s mortars, Vickers machine guns, and most of their anti-tank guns. Since dawn, these units have been under constant harassment from German snipers and machine-gunners, eventually losing contact with Lieutenant-Colonel Fitch and B Company. As a result, the 3^rd Parachute Battalion becomes divided, with those in the rear unintentionally taking a different route.

With only B Company and a few attached engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Fitch finds himself in a difficult position, especially with Brigadier Lathbury and Major-General Urquhart in tow. Although German troops spot the Company during the morning, they do not launch a major assault. Instead, using armoured vehicles and small infantry units, they manage to hold the paratroopers in a stalemate for six hours until the British manage to slip away under the cover of darkness, navigating the difficult terrain, which would have been nearly impossible to cross in daylight.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Parachute Battalion also moves onto the Lion Route, approaching the same railway bridge that B Company of the 3^rd Parachute Battalion successfully passed earlier. Here, they encounter elements of the 3^rd Parachute Battalion that had become separated. Lieutenant-Colonel Dobie is eager to incorporate these troops, particularly as his own R Company, along with most of his heavy support weapons, has yet to rejoin after being delayed in the previous day’s fighting around the Amsterdamseweg. At 08:00, the 1^st Parachute Battalion reaches the railway bridge, only to find it heavily defended by German infantry and armoured vehicles. With no other route to Arnhem, they have no choice but to launch an attack.

No. 10 Platoon and No. 11 Platoon of T Company advance but soon come under intense fire, forcing them to take cover in nearby buildings, where they become locked in a drawn-out firefight. Progress is slow, with small groups of men moving through houses and back gardens, clearing each building while under constant enemy fire. Despite the difficulties, T Company manages to push forward and by dusk reaches the point where B Company of the 3^rd Parachute Battalion had halted earlier, just 1.5 kilometres from Arnhem Bridge. However, the attack comes at a heavy cost, with only twenty-two men from T Company still combat-ready. The situation quickly deteriorates into chaos, with no clear front, flanks, or rear. Paratroopers scatter into houses and back gardens, trying to extricate themselves from the disarray.

Among the dispersed troops are Major-General Urquhart and Brigadier Lathbury. Realising that remaining pinned down is not an option, they decide to make a break for it, Urquhart aiming to return to his divisional headquarters, and Lathbury attempting to reach his brigade headquarters at the bridge. Urquhart, unable to delay his return any longer, decides to attempt the journey back to his headquarters. Lathbury, along with Captain W. A. Taylor, the Brigade’s Intelligence Officer, and Lieutenant Jimmy Cleminson, commanding 5 Platoon, B Company, 3rd Parachute Battalion, escorts him partway. However, during the move, they become separated from the main body of the battalion, and the small group finds itself isolated and cut off from friendly forces. After making some progress, they come under machine-gun fire, and Lathbury is wounded.

Forced to evade advancing German patrols, the group initially seeks refuge in a house at Alexanderstraat 135. However, the Dutch residents mistakenly believe that Lathbury’s injury is more severe, thinking he is paralysed. Despite Lathbury’s insistence that Urquhart continue without him, the group’s progress is soon halted by the pervasive German patrols. With little choice, they are forced to accept the offer of a local Dutch couple to hide in their attic. Urquhart, takes shelter in the attic of Anton Derksen’s home at Zwarteweg 14, located near Sint Elisabeth Hospital. The house soon becomes surrounded by German troops, oblivious to the fact that the British Divisional Commander is only metres away. Unable to escape, Urquhart must now wait for British forces to reach Arnhem in strength. Trapped and cut off from his division with no means of communication, the general remains stranded for the next fifteen hours, unable to influence the battle unfolding around Arnhem. His instinct to take a forward position in the field has left him isolated at a critical moment for the airborne forces.

As dusk sets both the 1^st Parachute Battalion and the 3^rd Parachute Battalion have lost most of their strength, both battalions are reduced to a combined fighting strength of fewer than 100 men. The relentless attacks have taken a severe toll, leaving the paratroopers exhausted and critically depleted, unable to link up with the isolated forces at the Arnhem Bridge. The German blocking force, however, Sperrverband Spindler, grows stronger by the hour, the situation appears grim.

Fortunately at 20:00, hope arrives with the fresh 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, followed closely by the 11^th Parachute Battalion. Both units have faced sniper fire and delaying actions in the areas where the 1^st Parachute Battalion has previously been stuck, but thanks to the earlier efforts of the paratroopers, much of the resistance has been cleared, resulting in minimal casualties for the new arrivals. Although the 11^th Parachute Battalion has yet to arrive, Lieutenant-Colonels Dobie and McCardie quickly meet to discuss plans for a coordinated attack towards Arnhem Bridge.

The Battle for the Bridge

During the night, B Company withdraws from Den Brink and moves towards the pontoon bridge, their designated objective, located about 1.5 kilometres west of Arnhem Bridge. Before leaving Great Britain, reconnaissance photos had shown that the pontoon bridge’s centre span was detached and moored alongside the riverbank. When Lieutenant Colonel Frost receives the news, he decides that Major Crawley and his men might attempt to find some sort of craft to ferry them across the river to the far side. The plan is for them to then move down the river and launch an attack on the defences on the southern side of the bridge.

Throughout the night, a few more men manage to reach Frost’s position around the road bridge, having made their way there after becoming separated from their units during the march. Frost now has about 340 men from the 2^nd Parachute Battalion at his disposal, with additional reinforcements arriving during the night. These include 110 men from the 1^st Parachute Brigade Headquarters (minus Brigadier Lathbury), 75 Royal Engineers from the 1^st Parachute Squadron, 30 from the 9^th Field Company, four anti-tank guns from B and C Troops of the 1^st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, and 30 Royal Army Service Corps personnel from the 250 Light Composite Company. The arrivals also include 12 Glider Pilots and eight men from the Reconnaissance Squadron, led by Major Gough. This brings the total number of troops under Frost’s command to between 600 and 700, significantly fewer than the 2,000 men originally planned to hold the bridge.

These units follow the 2^nd Parachute Battalion along the Lion Route on the September 17^th, 1944. An unexpected addition comes during the night when C Company of the 3^rd Parachute Battalion, which had been detached in Oosterbeek to advance along the railway line, arrives. They encounter and destroy three out of four armoured vehicles along the way before entering Arnhem under the cover of darkness. To avoid detection by the increasing German presence, Major Lewis orders his men to march in a formation resembling that of German troops. The plan works initially, but as they approach the bridge, they inadvertently march alongside German soldiers preparing to attack the British positions. A violent clash ensues when both sides realise the mistake. Although the German assault is repelled with heavy losses, half of C Company is captured, leaving Major Lewis with only forty-five men. Nevertheless, their arrival boosts the total British force at the bridge to about 740 men.

After a night of fruitless searching, no boats to cross the river are found by B Company of the 2^nd Parachute Battalion, and the plan is reluctantly abandoned. Frost then orders B Company to move into the bridge area to join the rest of the battalion, leaving just one platoon behind to guard the pontoon area. As they advance, they encounter stiff German resistance, with most of No. 4 Platoon, acting as rearguard, becoming isolated and forced to defend a house for 24 hours until their ammunition runs out. The remainder of B Company, about seventy men, finally reaches the bridge area at around 05:30 on Monday morning. The platoon from B Company, which is left to guard the pontoon bridge, is captured during the night.

Similarly, C Company is ordered to reinforce the bridge, but they face greater challenges. After entering Arnhem on Sunday evening and engaging in several skirmishes, they are forced to take cover overnight in a hotel near Sint Elizabeth Hospital. On Monday morning, just as they prepare to continue their mission to capture a German headquarters, they receive Frost’s call for assistance. Major Dover attempts to lead his men through the town, but their progress is slow due to the need to move discreetly through streets and back gardens in broad daylight. A small group manages to escape and eventually joins the 3^rd Parachute Battalion, but the rest of C Company is surrounded by a large German force. After a brief firefight, Major Dover has no choice but to order the surrender of his 100 men and two of his officers.

The only organised German action that night is an attack on the library, held by A Troop of the 1^st Parachute Squadron under Captain Eric Mackay. After repelling the initial assault, Mackay decides the building is too exposed and withdraws his men to the nearby Van Limburg Stirum School, where they join B Troop and later elements of the 3^rd Parachute Battalion’s C Company.

Once the fires on the road bridge have subsided, Lieutenant-Colonel Frost considers another attempt to capture the southern end but concludes that German defences are now too formidable. Nevertheless, the British maintain effective control over the bridge, as they can direct fire on all approaches. Frost remains confident in holding the position until the rest of the Division arrives, believing this will happen within hours.

At first light, a convoy of German trucks and other light vehicles unexpectedly drives through their own lines and attempts to cross the bridge. The British paratroopers, along with glider pilots stationed nearby, immediately open fire with rifles and machine guns, halting the convoy in its tracks.

The lead vehicle crashes into the bridge parapet, while the others pile up behind it, immobilised and under heavy fire. In a dramatic moment, a German soldier leaps from his vehicle, revolvers in both hands, and attempts to charge across the bridge, firing as he goes. His audacious move is short-lived as he is swiftly cut down amidst the intense barrage. The vehicles, now ablaze, begin to explode, sending ammunition skyward like fireworks.

With the convoy neutralised, the firing around the bridge subsides significantly by midnight. British sentries, including glider pilots, are positioned around their makeshift headquarters, a former municipal building near the bridge, to maintain security as communications with nearby units remain limited. Patrols are dispatched to assess the area; during one such sweep, a small group encounters a lone elderly German soldier who surrenders without resistance.

The unfortunate convoy is identified as belonging to a unit from one of the V2 missile batteries, which the Allied airborne forces had aimed to displace. Though stunned, the captured German soldiers manage to hide their specialist roles, admitting only to being regular artillerymen.

As the morning progresses, German forces begin testing the British defences with armoured vehicles and infantry, probing from the eastern approaches. Despite these efforts, they achieve little success apart from a single Panzer tank that manages to push forward to the base of the northern bridge ramp. The tank is ultimately disabled by a well-placed shot from a 6-pounder anti-tank gun. This action effectively secures the northern bridgehead, preventing any immediate German breakthrough.

At 09:30, British lookouts spot armoured cars approaching the bridge from the south. Initial hopes that these might be the lead elements of the Guards Armoured Division are quickly dashed when the vehicles are identified as German. The 9. SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs Abteilung, commanded by SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Victor-Eberhard Gräbner, who had been awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for bravery in Normandy just the day before, returns from a scouting mission in Nijmegen. This mixed force of approximately thirty armoured cars, half-tracks, and trucks had earlier been sent south to scout for Allied airborne landings near Nijmegen, crossing the bridge just an hour before the British secured the northern end.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Gräbner, confident in his unit’s capability, plans to clear the bridge and push back the lightly armed British paratroopers. Leading the advance, a troop of five armoured cars speeds towards the bridge, weaving through the debris from the earlier failed German convoy. The sudden approach of these vehicles catches the British anti-tank crews off guard, and the burnt-out wrecks provide some cover for the attackers. All five armoured cars manage to cross the northern ramp and enter Arnhem, with only one vehicle damaged by a mine.

The British forces quickly respond, anticipating a larger assault. As Gräbner’s main column charges towards the northern defences, British troops unleash a devastating hail of fire from all available positions. The 2^nd Parachute Battalion engages with a coordinated barrage of 6-pounder anti-tank guns, PIATs, mortars, and small arms. The attack by armoured vehicles from the south disintegrates into chaos as they are struck by the 6-pounders and PIATs, and their crews are picked off as they attempted to flee. It was like shooting at targets at a funfair gallery.”

Simultaneously, 3^rd Battery, 1^st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, directs its 75-millimetre howitzer fire onto the advancing vehicles as they race across the bridge. The open-topped half-tracks and trucks are particularly vulnerable, suffering heavily under the combined firepower. Gräbner’s assault stalls under the intense British fire, and the remnants of his force retreat back to the southern side of the bridge, leaving twelve burning vehicles behind and sustaining seventy casualties, including Gräbner himself.

Throughout the morning, German forces maintain constant pressure on the northern bridgehead, with infantry launching repeated probes and mortar fire targeting British positions. As conditions worsen, John Frost orders the withdrawal of B Company from its isolated position at the pontoon bridge, resulting in several casualties during the retreat back to the perimeter. As the day progresses, German attacks intensify, with mobile flak guns targeting British-held buildings from across the river and artillery bombarding suspected strongpoints. Snipers also pose a continuous threat, adding to the toll on the defenders, who now have almost every soldier, apart from a few medics and signallers, actively engaged in defending the bridgehead.

For the Germans, time is of the essence. Kampfgruppe Brinkmann, underestimating the strength of the British positions, launches several probing attacks throughout the night and into the morning. These attacks, characterised by brief mortar bombardments followed by infantry charges, targeting buildings occupied by the 1^st Parachute Brigade’s Defence Platoon and the 3^rd Parachute Battalion. Although these attacks are repelled with heavy German casualties and several tanks destroyed, the British are eventually forced to abandon some of their positions as the intensity of the fighting escalates.

The 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel Dobie to the rescue

The 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment advances through Wolfheze with ‘D’ Company at the front, Battalion Headquarters in the center, and ‘B’ Company bringing up the rear, bolstered by the addition of 13 and 14 Platoons, increasing the battalion’s strength to 420 personnel. Staff Sergeant Jim Hooper, who remains with 13 Platoon, recounts their movement towards Oosterbeek under strafing attacks by low-flying German Messerschmitt 109’s but fortunately suffers no casualties. Upon reaching Oosterbeek, the troops are warmly received by the local Dutch, though unable to pause to enjoy the hospitality.

Amid these movements, local Dutch civilians regularly approach British troops offering assistance, although British forces initially decline most offers from the Dutch Resistance due to previous German infiltrations and a sense of overconfidence in their capabilities. One notable instance involves a Dutch artillery officer whose offer of help is politely turned down by British gunners stationed near Oosterbeek Church.

Despite facing increasing German resistance and logistical challenges, the British troops continue their push, determined to reach and reinforce the embattled units holding the bridge. As the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment advances along the Utrechtseweg into Oosterbeek, the mood shifts dramatically when they encounter the remnants of R Company, 1^st Parachute Battalion, led by Major John Timothy.

R Company has endured severe fighting and heavy losses, and the men under Timothy’s command include a mix of young subalterns and a handful of other ranks who have managed to regroup after being cut off during earlier engagements. The paratroopers are visibly exhausted and their uniforms are stained with mud and grime from days of combat. Despite their battered state, they display remarkable determination to rejoin their comrades at the bridge.

Timothy provides McCardie’s staff with a sobering account of the situation ahead. He reports that German opposition is formidable and growing stronger with each passing hour, as more enemy troops reinforce the blocking lines around Arnhem. Although Timothy’s intelligence is patchy, it confirms the increasingly desperate nature of the British struggle to break through to the beleaguered 2nd Parachute Battalion.

Recognizing the need for every available fighter, McCardie orders R Company to join the rear of the South Staffordshire column. The paratroopers are quickly resupplied with ammunition, and despite their recent ordeal, they press on alongside the main force. As they move forward, the combined column encounters sporadic German machine-gun and sniper fire, forcing the troops to adopt a cautious advance through the wooded areas and along the roadsides.

The engagement intensifies near the Mariendaal Woods, where D Company of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment finds itself pinned down by heavy fire from well-camouflaged German positions. Attempts to outflank the enemy machine guns prove difficult, as the thick forest and undulating terrain provide ample cover for the defenders. The firefight drags on, with the British gradually inching forward but losing precious time.

Amid the gunfire, Major John Timothy’s men of R Company display commendable resilience, using their combat experience to help guide the South Staffords through the treacherous terrain. Their presence injects a renewed sense of purpose into the column, as both paratroopers and glider troops work together to clear the path toward Arnhem. Yet, the hours slip away, and the hope of reaching the bridge in time to alter the course of the battle grows increasingly faint.

The delay in Oosterbeek marks a turning point, highlighting the fierce resistance that awaits all along the road to Arnhem. The combined force of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and the remnants of R Company continues to press forward, but every meter gained comes at a cost. The scene underscores the brutal reality faced by British airborne forces as they struggle against mounting odds to achieve their objective. Despite the setbacks, the determination of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and R Company remains unbroken, as they push on toward their embattled comrades at the Arnhem bridge, knowing that each step forward is crucial to the fate of the operation.

The situation among British units attempting to reach Lieutenant Colonel John Frost’s embattled force at Arnhem Bridge is marked by confusion and increasing difficulties. The lead elements of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Derek McCardie, become intermingled with remnants of the 1^st Parachute Battalion, as well as B Squadron of the Glider Pilot Regiment led by Ian Toler. Among the gathered forces is Lieutenant-Colonel David T. Dobie, commanding approximately 140 paratroopers, including fighters from the 3^rd Parachute Battalion who remain combat-ready. Dobie is determined to continue efforts to breach the German defensive lines and reach the bridge.

Faced with the disarray, McCardie and Dobie devise a plan to launch a coordinated attack on the German blocking line at 21:00 hours. Recognising that Dobie has been on the ground longer and has a clearer understanding of the German positions, McCardie agrees that Dobie should lead the combined force. This decision allows Dobie to utilise his familiarity with the battlefield and command the assault effectively.

As preparations for the attack are underway, a false message arrives from Divisional Headquarters claiming that the 2^nd Parachute Battalion has surrendered. The report orders the British forces to disengage and return to the Division’s defensive perimeter in Oosterbeek. Despite the directive, McCardie and Dobie doubt the report’s accuracy and proceed with their plans, convinced that Frost’s men are still holding out at the bridge.

The attack’s delay has mixed implications. On one hand, it provides valuable time for final preparations, commanders are able to relay instructions clearly, refine the assault plan, and ensure all equipment and weapons are ready. The extra time also increases the likelihood of being reinforced by additional companies of the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, and elements of the 11^th Parachute Battalion, potentially bolstering the overall strength of the force.

However, the delay also means that the cover of darkness, crucial for the success of the attack, is steadily diminishing. Each passing hour reduces the time available to exploit the night for concealment, exposing the troops to greater risks as daylight approaches.

Throughout the night, British units engage in sporadic skirmishes with German patrols, remaining vigilant and holding their positions. Staff Sergeant Mark Leaver, stationed with a Jeep loaded with explosives, waits for an opportunity to push towards the bridge. His team, positioned near the edge of the contested zone, manages to repel several probing attacks from German forces.

Around midnight, heavy gunfire echoes from the other side of the railway line, indicating intense fighting. Leaver’s group then hears the approach of a large number of troops coming from the direction of Oosterbeek. After issuing a challenge, they confirm the group as fellow soldiers from the 2^nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Briefly exchanging information on the local situation, they decide to make a renewed attempt to reach the bridge at first light.

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