September 24th, 1944, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

3rd Parachute Battalion’s river crossing

By now, it is clear that the 1^st Airborne Division is in a precarious position, with a major crisis looming. In the morning, Lieutenant-General Horrocks, commander of XXX Corps, arrives in Driel to assess the situation firsthand and consult with Major-General Sosabowski. From the church tower in Driel, Horrocks asks Sosabowski for his recommendation on the next course of action. Sosabowski proposes two options: either launch a significant reinforcement across the Rhine or withdraw the airborne troops before they are overrun. Horrocks favors the first option, planning to send a battalion of the 43^rd Infantry Division across the river that night near the 1st Airborne’s positions, followed by a complete brigade crossing at Renkum, 6.5 kilometres downstream.

Later that day, a conference is held in Valburg, midway between Driel and Nijmegen, to finalise the details for the night’s operation. Sosabowski, accompanied by Lieutenant J. Dyrda, one of the Brigade’s best English speakers, attends the meeting. The conference takes place in a tent, with Sosabowski on one side and three British generals, Horrocks, Browning, and Thomas, commander of the 43^rd Infantry Division, along with their staff on the other. Dyrda is required to stand behind Sosabowski, creating an atmosphere that Jerzy Dyrda later describes as resembling a court-martial.

Horrocks opens the meeting by stating that two crossings will take place that night, both under the command of Major-General Thomas, who then provides brief details. The plan involves the 4^th Battalion, Dorset Regiment from the 130^th Infantry Brigade, followed by the 1^st Parachute Battalion of the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, crossing near the Driel ferry to capture the Westerbouwing heights. A second crossing, involving the remainder of the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, is scheduled to occur further east at the site of previous attempts. Both crossings are set to begin at 22:00 under the overall command of Brigadier Walton. Sosabowski is shocked and frustrated that one of his battalions is reassigned without his input, a significant breach of military protocol. Lieutenant Dyrda, translating the discussion for Sosabowski, chooses not to mention that a Polish major-general is being required to relinquish control of one of his battalions to a young British brigadier who has not even surveyed the crossing area.

The room falls silent, with no questions from the British officers, suggesting they are already fully briefed on the plan. Sosabowski stands and, through Dyrda, expresses his concerns that the chosen crossing point for the 4^th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment and his 1^st Parachute Battalion will encounter strong German opposition. He proposes a landing further west, which he believes would be unopposed, based on his observations of German movements. Despite this, Major-General Thomas reiterates the original orders with firm resolve.

This situation leads Sosabowski to speak directly in English, his fluency increasing with his frustration. He argues that the planned crossing lacks the strength to significantly impact the battle north of the river and would result in unnecessary casualties. Horrocks ends the discussion, insisting that the operation proceed as planned and warns that a new commander will be appointed if Sosabowski is unwilling to carry out the orders. Browning, present throughout, remains silent.

After the tense meeting, Browning invites Sosabowski to lunch at his headquarters in Nijmegen. During their conversation, Browning admits that few boats are available in the Nijmegen area, with most stuck along the corridor leading to the front. Sosabowski criticises the British commanders for launching a major river crossing operation without ensuring that boats were readily available. Captain Jan Lorys, a staff officer, later remarks that this confrontation likely seals Sosabowski’s fate, as he dares to criticise British generals.

Near Driel at around 22:45, a British officer arrives and instructs the Polish engineer commander, Lieutenant Szczygiel, to hand over his boats. After confirming with headquarters, the boats are surrendered. Sosabowski has received a request from the 43^rd Infantry Division to turn the boats over to the 4^th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, leading to the cancellation of the Polish crossing, likely to the relief of many Polish paratroopers.

The crossing by the 4^th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment eventually begins three hours late, at 01:00. Initial heavy artillery fire keeps the Germans suppressed, allowing most of two rifle companies and a headquarters element to cross. However, by 02:15, the operation is halted as German fire intensifies, despite several hours of darkness remaining. Approximately 300 men of the Dorsets make it across the river, but, as Sosabowski predicted, they have little impact on the battle. Their route after crossing the river leads into well-prepared German positions, resulting in over 200 of the 315 men who crossed being captured. General Horrocks did also recognise the 1^st Airborne Division’s untenable position, and developped preliminary plans for a withdrawal. Two men who successfully reach the 1^st Airborne Division positions bring copies of the withdrawal plan for Urquhart’s review.

This marks the end of attempts to cross the river from the south to the north.