September 26th, 1944, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

Operation Berlin

As night fell and rain poured down, Sosabowski’s men trudged through the mud to positions where they would guide any soldiers who managed to escape the enemy’s grasp. All night, German forces kept up a relentless barrage of artillery and mortar fire, but the Allied troops had grown accustomed to the constant background of explosions.

Sosabowski, feeling he had done all he could, lay down by the fireplace in the crowded farmhouse to get some sleep. But his rest was violently interrupted by a thunderous crash. A shell had blasted a hole in the wall, filling the air with dust and debris. Colonel Kaminski’s voice rang out, asking if Sosabowski was all right. Shaken but unharmed, Sosabowski replied, though he noticed that their billy-goat mascot had been killed by shrapnel in the blast.

It is estimated that the Canadian boats make around 150 trips during the night, although keeping an accurate count proves difficult as the records are ruined by the rain. Despite this, the Canadian boats are believed to carry the majority of the men across. The engineer units involved include the 260 and 533 Field Companies from the British forces and the 20 and 23 Canadian Field Companies.

The official tally of men who cross the river is 2,398, including 2,163 from the 1^st Airborne Division (along with glider pilots), 160 Polish troops, and 75 from the 4^th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. However, when individual unit reports are combined, the total is closer to 2,500.

Polish Withdrawal

By 01:00 hours, the Polish troops reach the Southern riverbank, tasked with covering the retreat until they themselves can cross at 03:00 hours. Due to a shortage of boats, Major Bereda instructs his men to cross the river by any means they can.

The Polish soldiers stationed around Villa Transvalia remain at their post to cover the final stages of the retreat. After midnight, when no more British soldiers are seen passing, the Poles investigate and discover they are the last remaining troops, apart from the wounded and their caregivers.

The rearguard waited for word that the last survivors had passed through, but no message came. At 03:00 hours, Lieutenant Smaczny then decides it is time for his group to withdraw, joining the line of exhausted and wounded soldiers. Stuck in an open meadow, they are suddenly illuminated by parachute flares, followed by a deadly salvo of bombs. Several men, already wounded, are killed or further injured. Their comrades, under constant fire, do their best to carry the wounded to the river for priority boarding.

As the survivors near the riverbank, they hear the low hum of motor-boat engines, mixed with the sound of shells and Schmeisser machine-gun fire. By 04:00 hours, some of the Polish troops reach the river, only to find that just one boat is still operational, with around five hundred men still waiting to cross. Panic set in, and a hundred British soldiers rush into the shallow water, desperate to board the boat. An officer shout at them to get back and behave like Englishmen. The rush stops, and the men return to the shore.

With all sense of order gone, soldiers, both Polish and British, begin looking for their own ways to cross. Some swim the Rhine, stripping off their clothes and fighting the current. Others, unable to swim, turn back to hide, hoping for another chance to escape. Many are captured by German patrols. It is estimated that around 100 Polish soldiers are left behind on the north side of the river, including those who are wounded and unable to leave the dressing stations. Two Polish soldiers, unable to retreat, hide in the chimney of a bakery for several days. Eventually, under the cover of darkness, they manage to swim across the Rhine to reach the safety of the liberated area.

As dawn breaks, the last of the men swim across the Rhine. Of the fifty who set out, forty reach the northern bank, but fewer than thirty make it back to Driel. A few of the soldiers who successfully swam across the river later recount passing through a bombed-out house, where a Dutch civilian stands handing out bottles of preserved fruit to the weary men. Despite orders to head directly to Nijmegen, many Polish soldiers return to rejoin Sosabowski’s brigade, a touching display of loyalty to their commander. The toll on the brigade is heavy. Fifty Polish soldiers are killed at Oosterbeek or drown during the evacuation, and another 42 lose their lives south of the river.

The Aftermath

Following Operation Berlin, the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade begins its withdrawal that very same day. After marching the 22 kilometres to Nijmegen with their heavy equipment, Major-General Sosabowski takes the opportunity to visit General Urquhart, who is resting there. Urquhart is physically and mentally drained from the battle. Though glad to see Sosabowski, they avoid discussing the details of the conflict. Urquhart’s demeanour clearly reflects his deep disappointment over the outcome.

Sosabowski then reports to Browning’s Headquarters for new instructions. He informs Browning that the brigade has suffered significant losses, approximately 400 men, including 23% of its officers and 22% of the enlisted ranks. Despite acknowledging the brigade’s weakened state, Browning insists that the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade is still needed in the area and will eventually return to England. That evening, the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade is transported to their new position by trucks.

Sosabowski’s brigade is assigned to defend an airfield near Grave, along the River Maas. Though the area is relatively quiet, the German 712. Infantrie Division near ‘s-Hertogenbosch poses a serious threat to the critical supply lines leading to Nijmegen.

Soon after, a senior staff officer from Browning’s Headquarters informs Sosabowski that his brigade has been placed under the command of the 157th Infantry Brigade of the 52^nd (Lowland) Airlanding Division. This causes an issue for Sosabowski, as it means that, as a Major-General, he is expected to take orders from a Brigadier, which violates military protocol. Finding the situation unacceptable, Sosabowski sends a message to Browning after settling his men, requesting to be released from the command of the 157^th Infantry Brigade, citing the organisation of his unit and his seniority of rank.

Browning responds, explaining that the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade had been placed under the 157^th Infantry Brigade’s command due to the heavy casualties it had suffered and its disorganisation from dispersed drops and combat. The 157^th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, in a critical position, needed immediate reinforcement, and the Polish Brigade was available for that role. However, Browning adds that the situation has improved and that the Polish Brigade will revert to the direct command of British Airborne Corps. The brigade will maintain its current tasks but continue working closely with the 157^th Infantry Brigade.

Sosabowski is both surprised and frustrated by this response. He feels Browning has deliberately undermined him by subordinating him to a Brigadier and is dismissive of his complaint. Sosabowski believes that Browning knows his strong-willed nature and should have expected his objection to such an order. Despite the casualties his unit suffered, Sosabowski had maintained control throughout the operation and resents any implication that his brigade was disorganised.

As soon as the situation allows, Sosabowski compiles a detailed report on the Battle of Arnhem and submits a summary of the brigade’s current status. He also meets with the Polish Liaison Officer from 21st Army Group Headquarters to reiterate that the Polish Parachute Brigade must retain its independence and not be integrated into British forces. He emphasises that the brigade should not be treated as standard infantry due to its specialised role and highlights the difficulty in replacing fallen troops, as he still hopes the brigade might be deployed in Poland.

For several days, the brigade remains in muddy dugouts along the River Maas. Their main duty involves conducting night patrols to maintain contact with the enemy. These patrols sometimes lead to capturing prisoners, though there are occasional incidents. At one point, rumours of German paratroopers spark a friendly fire incident between Sosabowski’s supply column and a British unit, resulting in the deaths of two Polish soldiers and several injuries.

On September 28^th, 1944, one of Sosabowski’s companies is assigned to guard the Waal Bridge in Nijmegen and several canal bridges. This precaution is necessary because enemy frogmen had previously drifted down the river and managed to destroy the railway bridge.

Sosabowski also lends patrols to assist General Gavin of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, whose men have struggled to capture German prisoners. The Polish patrols are successful, returning with a German sergeant-major, much to Gavin’s satisfaction.

They are relieved from duty on October 7^th, 1944, and the brigade departs for Brussels by lorry, with the plan to fly to England. However, only a portion of the troops are flown out, while the rest are diverted to Ostend, where they board four landing craft bound for Britain. They arrive in Tilbury, Great Britain on October 12^th, 1944, where they are granted leave.

Shortly after his return to Britain, Sosabowski learns that his obituary had been published in the Glasgow Herald. This false report had led to his brother in Edinburgh receiving several condolence telegrams. The confusion occurred when German forces captured his jeep, which contained personal items, including a bottle of whisky labelled with his name. The Germans had broadcast news of his death through their propaganda network, and the misinformation had even reached British newspapers.

Despite the challenges and the ordeal of Arnhem, Sosabowski’s brigade remains intact, although deeply affected by the battle. The experience leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved, and the future of the Polish Parachute Brigade remains uncertain as they regroup and recover in England.

For, the worst is yet to come. In the aftermath of Operation Market Garden’s failure, senior Allied commanders seem to seek a scapegoat and focus their blame on the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade.

On October 17^th, 1944, Field Marshal Montgomery, commanding the 21^st Army Group, writes to Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, harshly criticising the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade. He claims that the brigade “fought very badly” and that the men were reluctant to fight if it meant risking their lives. Montgomery suggests that the brigade should be removed from the theatre and possibly sent to join other Polish forces in Italy.

A month later, General Browning writes a detailed letter to Lieutenant-General Sir Ronald Weeks, Brooke’s deputy, critiquing Sosabowski’s command during the recent operation. On December 9^th, 1944, Sosabowski receives a letter from the Polish President-in-Exile, Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz, informing him of his removal from command. The letter provides no reason for his dismissal but acknowledges his service and character on the battlefield. Many believe that Browning, who is about to take up a new position in South-East Asia, is the driving force behind this unjust decision.

Sosabowski hands over command to his deputy, Lieutenant-Colonel S. Jacknik. In protest, two Polish units go on hunger strike during Christmas, but their efforts are in vain, and the situation remains unchanged.

Multimedia