September 21st, 1944, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

Deployment of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

In England, the 1,568 men of the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade set out early for the airfields. Despite some lingering mist, visibility improves, and the weather forecast is favourable. Take-off is scheduled for 12:00. Major-General Sosabowski receives a message from Major-General Urquhart, conveyed by Lieutenant Colonel Stevens, the senior British liaison officer. The message confirms that the drop zone remains near Driel and that the ferry is still under British control.

As 12:00 approaches, the weather shows no signs of improvement, resulting in another postponement of the takeoff time. However, around 14:00, the order is given to proceed, and at Saltby and Spanhoe, the engines of 114 Dakotas from the 314^th Troop Carrier Group and 315^th Troop Carrier Group, start up.

The American pilots encounter difficulties climbing through dense cloud cover and forming their designated formations. It is reported that one paratrooper mistakenly jumped over Cambridgeshire, but he later rejoins on a subsequent lift. As the weather continues to deteriorate, a decision is made to recall the aircraft to avoid unsafe landing conditions.

A miscommunication regarding the recall code added complexity to the situation. The radio operators in the aircraft had been given a different set of code words than those used by ground stations. The recall code was sent four times, but the interpretation varied among pilots. Consequently, 41 of the Dakotas turned back, with most landing at the nearest airfield upon descending through the clouds. There was also a report of one aircraft landing in Ireland.

Of the 41 aircraft that returned, 25 carried men from the 1^st Parachute Battalion, 2 had passengers from the 2^nd Parachute Battalion, 11 were transporting men from the 3^rd Parachute Battalion, and 3 carried personnel from Brigade Headquarters.

The remaining 73 aircraft continue their flight over Belgium. During the journey, one Dakota carrying Brigade Headquarters personnel is hit by flak after inadvertently crossing into German-held territory. The aircraft turns back towards Belgium, where it drops its troops before returning to England. Meanwhile, the remaining 1,003 men in 72 aircraft continue their mission. Around 17:00, the Poles finally make their combat jump. Heavy anti-aircraft fire greets them, resulting in the loss of five C-47s. Although all the paratroopers aboard manage to jump before the planes crash, ten American aircrew members lose their lives. The evasive maneuvres taken by the aircraft to avoid enemy fire throw the Polish paratroopers around inside the cabins, delaying their jump. As they descend, they come under fire from German troops on the ground, resulting in five fatalities and 25 wounded. Despite these challenges, the drop is deemed successful, and the Brigade encounters no significant resistance in the immediate area.

Five aircraft from the 315^th Troop Carrier Group are shot down, but all the paratroopers manage to jump safely before the planes crash. Unfortunately, 10 American aircrew members are killed, with others wounded or captured.

The 500 Polish paratroopers aboard the planes that returned face a further 48-hour delay before they are eventually dropped near Grave, within the 82^nd Airborne Division’s area, on Saturday, 23rd September. At that point, the original drop zones closer to the Rhine are deemed too hazardous.

Initial Actions

Once on the ground, the Polish paratroopers quickly regroup. Following his instructions received in England, Sosabowski quickly organises his forces. The 3^rd Parachute Battalion takes up positions along the riverbank, opposite and just south of Oosterbeek Old Church, where the Lonsdale Force is based. Meanwhile, the 2^nd Parachute Battalion moves towards the Driel-Heveadorp ferry, intending to use it to cross the Rhine and join the Oosterbeek perimeter.

Upon reaching the village of Driel, Sosabowski learns from locals that the ferry is no longer operational. He reportedly asks in disbelief, “How could it have disappeared in just a few hours?”

Unknown to both sides is the fact that the ferry operator has scuttled the ferry after witnessing the German capture of Westerbouwing, to prevent its use by the Germans. The Polish are also unaware that the area across the river is now occupied by German forces. Lieutenant S. Kaczmarek of the Support Echelon is sent by Sosabowski, along with Captain Budziszewski, the Engineer Company commander, and fifteen men, to the ferry site. They arrive after about an hour, under the cover of darkness. Upon reaching the ramp, Captain Budziszewski calls out with a loud “Hello,” but there is no response from the opposite bank. He then launches a flare, which immediately triggers heavy gunfire from the other side.

The team quickly takes cover behind piles of cobblestones, miraculously avoiding injury as bullets ricochet off the stones around them. The gunfire continues for about five minutes before subsiding. Once the firing ceases, the group withdraws to Driel and reports back on the situation. It becomes evident that no further action can be taken that night.

Efforts to Reestablish Contact and Cross the Rhine

Major-General Urquhart observes the Polish Brigade’s drop from Oosterbeek. Wireless equipment is promptly moved closer to the river and set up to establish communication with the Polish Brigade. Ensign Pajak repeatedly tries to contact them but no response comes from the Polish. As time passes and dusk settles in, anxiety grows. Orders from Divisional Command are clear: contact the Polish Brigade as soon as possible. The situation is dire, the Brigade has landed amidst German positions, is at least 16 kilometres from the first units of XXX Corps, and is separated from friendly forces by the river.

Their mission is urgent: the Brigade must provide assistance quickly. However, it remains uncertain how they will achieve this and which direction they will move. Those present gather around the wireless apparatus, waiting for any sign of contact. Eventually, it is clear that waiting any longer is not an option. The Polish Brigade’s liaison officer with the Airborne Division Command, Captain Zwolanski, decides to cross the river himself and requests a boat, needing to inform Sosabowski that an attempt will be made to recapture both Westerbouwing and the ferry crossing.

Unfortunately, no boat is available, and Captain Zwolanski resolves this to swim across the river. He goes to the battery command, removes his uniform, and dons camouflage netting to make the crossing as easy and dry as possible. He chooses to swim at the location where the ferry usually operates, assuming the Brigade will head in that direction to find a way across. It is a risky operation, as all crossing points are under German control. All they can do now is wait for the return of Captain Zwolanski.

Meanwhile, General Urquhart orders the 1^st Airborne’s engineers to construct makeshift rafts using Jeep trailers, hoping to ferry the Polish troops across the river near Oosterbeek Church.

Despite these efforts, the attempt to retake Westerbouwing fails, and the construction of the rafts proves slow and laborious. By dawn, the rafts are still not ready. Similar attempts by the Polish forces on their side of the river to build rafts and find boats also end in failure. With no viable means of crossing the Rhine, Sosabowski orders the Brigade to establish defensive positions around Driel for the night.