September 23rd, 1944, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

Second Drop of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade near Overasselt

The remaining elements of the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade that returned to Great britain two days earlier depart from Spanhoe Airfield, bound for Holland. A total of 41 Dakotas from the 315^th Troop Carrier Group, carrying 560 troops, primarily from the 1^st Parachute Battalion, make the journey. Unlike previous drops near Driel, their designated drop zone is located south of the Waal River at Overasselt, within the sector of the 82^nd U.S. Airborne Division. The decision to drop them there ise by Airborne Corps Headquarters, with the plan for the troops to complete the rest of the journey by road.

Reports indicate that every aircraft successfully reached the drop zone, which had previously served as Landing Zone O for U.S. gliders of the 82^nd Airborne Division. The drop is described as virtually an “exercise jump” due to the minimal resistance encountered. After landing at Overasselt, the Polish troops move to the Groesbeek area, where they spend the night.

Second Crossing of the Rhine

The failure of the attempt to use rubber dinghies the previous day makes it clear to senior officers that it is impractical using these craft for reinforcing the 1^st Airborne Division north of the Rhine. In response, Major-General Sosabowski sent his chief of staff, Major R. Malaszkiewicz, further south during the morning to emphasize the need for proper assault boats. Major Malaszkiewicz reaches the headquarters of the 130^th Infantry Brigade of the 43^rd Infantry Division, where he is warmly received by Brigadier B. Walton. Walton informs him that eighteen large boats, each capable of carrying twenty-four men, are available. The boats are expected to arrive by 20:00, with Canadian sappers from the Division assigned to crew them.

However, Major Malaszkiewicz does not return to Driel until around 19:00, necessitating a quick plan. Captain Budziszewski’s Engineer Company is tasked with organising the crossing. Some sappers would accompany the first wave to provide security on the north bank and quickly turn the boats around. The plan was for the 3^rd Parachute Battalion to cross first, followed by Brigade Headquarters, the 1^st Parachute Battalion mortar platoon, the administrative units, and finally the 2^nd Parachute Battalion. Commanders were instructed to divide their men into groups of eighteen, as the boats were expected to be crewed by the British.

Unfortunately, the boats do not arrive until just before midnight, and no crews are provided. Consequently, men from the Engineer Company have to operate the boats themselves, using unfamiliar equipment in the dark and under much heavier German fire than the previous night. A large mill on the southern bank of the river caught fire, with its massive wings swinging aimlessly. The scene is surreal as the wings rise high into the air before descending toward the dark outline of the forest. Suddenly, a crimson flame erupts near the ferry crossing, though it is unclear whether this is caused by mines, remnants of the jetty, or a rocket igniting prematurely.

The source of the large blaze to the southeast was easily identified as the village of Driel, where the Polish Brigade is beginning its crossing to the northern side. Meanwhile, on the northern side, the suburb of Arnhem and the western edge of Oosterbeek are also burning. The Polish troops are effectively moving from one hazardous situation to another, passing through one area under fire to another.

Shortly after midnight, the noise of artillery fire and mortar shells intensifies, joined by the sharp rattle of machine guns. Unlike the previous night, when the fire is more random, the Germans are now targeting a specific objective.

The first crossing does not commence until 03:00 on Sunday morning due to these issues, compounded by the need to drag and carry the boats 450 meters over fields, ditches, and a high bank. The situation at the riverside further deteriorates with the discovery that the boats can only hold twelve men, necessitating a rapid reorganisation that causes considerable confusion. Captain Budziszewski, the engineer commander, is reportedly heard “swearing like a Polish officer has never been heard to swear before.”

A canopy of tracer rounds follows the first boat across the river, hanging over it as it nears the shore, where the men disembark into the mud. This pattern repeats as more boats set out from the southern bank. The boats zigzag across the river to avoid German fire. Sometimes the maneuvers are successful; other times, they are not. Captain M. remarks on the sight of a boat suddenly capsizing, saying, “That’s the third one.”

There is no time to dwell on losses. The reinforcements must be moved to their positions as quickly as possible. The journey across the meadow is even more dangerous than the previous night, with the enemy now targeting it with mortar fire. Machine-gun fire also sweeps the area as the men advance and take cover in the undergrowth on the outskirts of Oosterbeek.

At the church, the Polish soldiers are divided into groups, with some directed to the Airlanding Brigade and others to different positions. One of the guides advises, “Move in open file; there are snipers in the forest, and a German patrol may be encountered.”

Under a large tree, the men discuss the challenges faced during the crossing. Rafts were attempted but sank immediately. Various other methods were tried, including using doors from village houses. The sappers worked continuously under fire as they rowed the boats across.

Lieutenant Pudelko notes that everything had to be done by the team alone, without external assistance.

Lieutenant Colonel E. Myers, the Commander Royal Engineers of the 1^st Airborne Division, on the south bank, observes that there is no fault in the efforts made by the Polish the men do as much as they can under the circumstances. He notes that they are not trained for river crossings, a situation not anticipated in the Arnhem plan, and that proper boats are not available. However, their seamanship is considered less than adequate.

Daylight brings a halt to further crossings. In total, 153 men are ferried across: 95 from the 3^rd Parachute Battalion, 44 anti-tank gunners, and 14 men from Brigade Headquarters, less than a quarter of the anticipated number. Major General Sosabowski does cross the Rhine but also returns to Driel with the majority of his command.