September 24th, 1944, 1st Airborne Division

The Wounded and Medical Evacuations

As the battle for Oosterbeek rages on, the 1^st Airborne Division accumulates a large number of wounded, both British and German. By the morning the Division’s medical staff is caring for approximately 1,200 men. Unfortunately, the Division loses much of its medical facilities in the early days of the battle. Of the fourteen Regimental Aid Posts where wounded men receive first aid, only five remain operational. While two of the three Main Dressing Stations, established by the Field Ambulances to treat more serious cases, are still functioning, many of their surgeons and orderlies are captured on Wednesday, September, 20^th, 1944, as the perimeter is being established. Medical supplies are critically low, and bandages must be improvised from available cloth. In many cases, applying these dressings is all that can be done for the wounded. The remaining medical staff work tirelessly to ease the suffering of the injured, while unarmed stretcher-bearers risk their lives to retrieve the wounded under fire, hoping that German snipers will allow them to carry out their work unhindered.

All available shelter for the wounded is quickly filled. The remaining Main Dressing Stations and Regimental Aid Posts reach capacity, leaving many wounded men to sit outside in the open, exposed to continued shelling. The battalions making up the Lonsdale Force lose their Regimental Aid Posts, relying instead on the medics of the 1^st Airlanding Light Regiment, who establish their Regimental Aid Post just behind Oosterbeek Church, in and around the home of Kate ter Horst. She opens her home to as many wounded and dying soldiers as she can, doing everything possible to make them comfortable and ease their suffering.

Colonel Graeme Warrack, the 1^st Airborne Division’s senior medical officer, arranges a truce with German staff physician Major Skalka, for the removal of casualties. Obergruppenführer Bittrich, commander of the II SS Panzer Corps, agrees to the truce, allowing the evacuation of as many wounded as possible into German care. Although these men become prisoners of war, they are assured of receiving appropriate medical treatment. During the truce, German vehicles enter the perimeter and remove approximately 250 stretcher-bound men, while another 200 walking wounded are marched to Sint Elizabeth Hospital and from there transported to Apeldoorn, a town about 20 kilometres north of Arnhem. In response to the influx of casualties during Operation Market Garden, the Germans had previously converted the Willem II barracks into a makeshift hospital for those wounded in the battles around Arnhem, as local hospitals were overwhelmed.

Royal Air Force Resupply Missions

Dakotas C-47’s of No. 575 Squadron, specially relocated to Belgium, fly a limited number of sorties to Arnhem.

Last River Crossing

As the situation deteriorates, Lieutenant-General Horrocks of XXX Corps arrives in Driel to assess the crisis and consult with Major-General Sosabowski of the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade. Sosabowski offers two options: launch a significant reinforcement across the Rhine or withdraw the airborne troops before they are overrun. Horrocks prefers the reinforcement plan and sets the stage for a major river crossing involving both British and Polish forces.

A tense conference follows, where Sosabowski’s battalion is reassigned under British command without his input, frustrating him and leading to a confrontation. He criticises the chosen crossing point and predicts strong German opposition, proposing an alternative. Despite his objections, the British generals stand firm, insisting on proceeding with the original plan.

As preparations continue, it becomes clear that boats for the crossing are in short supply. Sosabowski’s concerns grow when the few available Polish boats are reassigned to the 4^th Battalion, Dorset Regiment. The Polish crossing is canceled, and the Dorsets begin their crossing at 01:00, three hours behind schedule.

Initially, the British make progress under heavy artillery fire, with 300 men crossing the river. However, as predicted, German forces are well-prepared, and by 02:15, the operation is halted due to intense enemy fire. Over 200 of the 315 men who crossed are captured, with little impact on the battle.