September 25th, 1944, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

Driel

At 05:00 hours, orders are issued regarding the defensive positions to be occupied by the newly arrived Polish units, including the 1st Parachute Battalion and the remainder of the 3rd Parachute Battalion.

The situation remained unchanged for Major-General Sosabowski’s brigade. Despite days of effort, no real progress had been made on either side of the Neder Rhine. Yet, a clear route along the Oosterhoud-Wolferen-Valburg road was open, and ambulances and vehicles had been moving along it safely for nearly three days. This road had been used by the Household Cavalry tank troop and, later, by the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Sosabowski found it frustrating that XXX Corps had not made a concerted effort to cover the mere 22 kilometres that separated them from the Neder Rhine, where speed was now of the essence.

Sosabowski’s brigade was divided at this point. On the north bank of the Rhine, under the direct command of General Urquhart, were his glider troops, armed with jeeps and anti-tank guns, alongside most of the 3rd Parachute Battalion and parachute elements of the anti-tank and signal companies. On the south bank, under Sosabowski’s command, were the 1st and 2nd Battalions, the engineers, medical units, and the remaining support elements.

By 12:00 hours, a message is received indicating that the evacuation of all units from the northern bank of the Rhine is anticipated during the upcoming night. Sosabowski’s brigade was tasked with guiding the survivors once they reached the southern bank and directing them to Nijmegen. Any equipment that could not be carried was to be destroyed, as the withdrawal would take place in daylight. Sosabowski ordered his units to split into small groups and regroup further south at Valburg. The 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade is ordered to move to a new area the next day for a different task assigned by the Airborne Corps Commander, with the movement beginning at 09:00 hours.

At 17:30 hours, details concerning the upcoming evacuation are provided. By 18:00 hours, the Brigade Commander, Major General Sosabowski, holds a conference to issue instructions for the night and the operations the next day. At 19:00 hours, a written order from the 43^rd (Wessex) Infantry Division confirms these instructions.

Throughout the day and into the night, the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade endures heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, resulting in significant casualties. Over forty wounded are treated in the field hospital, with six of them succumbing to their injuries. The hospital itself is not spared from the danger, as a shell strikes the school where it is housed, killing two ambulance drivers on site.

Polish Airborne in Oosterbeek

The fighting in Oosterbeek continues relentlessly, with the Germans pressing forward in an attempt to force the airborne troops into surrender.

The Polish troops stationed in the houses along the Stationsweg report being continuously targeted by mortar fire, artillery, machine guns, and snipers. The building used as their headquarters suffers a direct hit. Meanwhile, the makeshift hospital at Villa Vreewijk is evacuated, suggesting that the Germans are preparing an assault on the area.

In the lower part of the village, the last remaining anti-tank guns are disabled, but not without inflicting damage on the Germans. One tank and a motorised gun are taken out in the fighting.

Operation Berlin

As said earlier two men who successfully reach the 1^st Airborne Division positions bring copies of a withdrawal plan from General Horrocks for Major-General Urquhart’s review. At 06:00 hours, Major-General Urquhart receives a crucial message from Major-General Thomas of the 43^rd Wessex Division. The message informs him that XXX Corps has abandoned any hope of reinforcing the 1^st Airborne Division and advises that he should begin withdrawing his forces across the Rhine at a time of his choosing. With the perimeter at Oosterbeek showing clear signs of strain, Urquhart deliberates for two hours before contacting Thomas to confirm that the division will commence its withdrawal that night.

Major-General Urquhart’s withdrawal plan, codenamed Operation Berlin, aims to keep the German forces unaware of the evacuation to avoid triggering a rapid German assault. Drawing from his study of the Gallipoli evacuation during his pre-war Staff College training, Urquhart implements a “collapsing bag” strategy where troops at the northern edge of the perimeter withdraw first, maintaining the appearance of a continued defense at Oosterbeek.

To avoid detection, the Light Regiment and artillery from XXX Corps execute a fire plan to suppress German positions. The operation requires leaving behind non-walking wounded and some medical staff to maintain the illusion of a strong defense. Radio operators also stay to transmit misleading orders, further deceiving German forces.

Stealth is crucial, so troops blacken their faces, secure weapons, wrap boots in rags to reduce noise, and destroy non-essential equipment.

Urquhart’s plan is sound, but the 43^rd Infantry Division mistakenly believes that the crossing of the Dorsets the day before has been succesfull and have expanded the perimeter. Consequently, two evacuation points are designated: one near the ferry site and another by the artillery positions in southern Oosterbeek. Unaware of this, Urquhart directs all men to the church area. Two routes are marked to this location, passing either side of the Hartenstein Hotel.

Each crossing point is assigned two engineer companies: one British with manual assault crafts and one Canadian with motorised storm boats. The Canadian boats, making the crossing in about three minutes, handle most of the evacuation, while the British boats, which are paddled, take longer.

At the Stationsweg, where the Polsh soldiers are defending the perimeter, the order is given for the troops to gather at 22:00 hours in preparation for their withdrawal. However, before they can begin their retreat, they are forced to fend off a fierce German attack, during which they manage to kill a high-ranking German officer.

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