THE BATTLE OF ARNHEM

“Operation Market Garden” at Arnhem was the largest operation on Dutch territory during the Second World War. From 17 to 25 September 1944, a joint Allied invasion tried to ensure that a number of important Dutch bridges would be taken. However, during the Battle of Arnhem, the Rhine Bridge turned out to be “a bridge too far”. It became a disaster that played a key role in the further course of the war. Since 1945, in Arnhem, the month of September has been dedicated to the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem. Arnhem is known throughout the world for the Battle of Arnhem and the Bridge Too Far. Unfortunately the number of veterans is slowly decreasing and the memory ebbing away. That is why it is now time to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem in an innovative and dignified manner. In an experience with art, film and music. Bridge to Liberation makes the stories around the Battle of Arnhem come alive for everyone through an ‘Experience’. This event lays a foundation for the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem in the future.

In the summer of 1944, only the southern Netherlands had been liberated. To liberate the rest of the Netherlands, a plan was made by the British Field Marshal Montgomery. He gave this plan the code name “Market Garden”. The plan consisted of two parts. The first part was called: “Market”. During this part, more than 35,000 airborne troops were dropped at important bridges (across the Maas, Waal and Rhine) between Eindhoven and Arnhem to occupy them. The second part, called “Garden”, was a code word for the British ground troops. They would move across the ground from Belgium to Arnhem, via the bridges, to help the airborne troops. From there, they could then easily move on to free the rest of the Netherlands and attack Germany.

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In the summer of 1944, only the southern Netherlands had been liberated. To liberate the rest of the Netherlands, a plan was made by the British Field Marshal Montgomery. He gave this plan the code name “Market Garden”. The plan consisted of two parts. The first part was called: “Market”. During this part, more than 35,000 airborne troops were dropped at important bridges (across the Maas, Waal and Rhine) between Eindhoven and Arnhem to occupy them. The second part, called “Garden”, was a code word for the British ground troops. They would move across the ground from Belgium to Arnhem, via the bridges, to help the airborne troops. From there, they could then easily move on to free the rest of the Netherlands and attack Germany.

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The bridge over the River Rhine near Arnhem is one of the bridges that must be occupied within the Market Garden plan. This bridge is deep in enemy territory. The intention is for more than 10,000 British and Polish airborne troops to occupy the Rhine Bridge until the ground army arrives. On September 17, 1944 the first aircraft with airborne troops take off. They land in the area west of Arnhem. Meanwhile, American paratroopers at Son, Veghel and Sint Oedenrode have to capture the other bridges. After much fierce fighting, the Americans managed to capture all the bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen. Now only Arnhem remained! On the first day, the British troops do not meet much resistance from the Germans who are surprised by the attack.

The bridge over the River Rhine near Arnhem is one of the bridges that must be occupied within the Market Garden plan. This bridge is deep in enemy territory. The intention is for more than 10,000 British and Polish airborne troops to occupy the Rhine Bridge until the ground army arrives. On September 17, 1944 the first aircraft with airborne troops take off. They land in the area west of Arnhem. Meanwhile, American paratroopers at Son, Veghel and Sint Oedenrode have to capture the other bridges. After much fierce fighting, the Americans managed to capture all the bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen. Now only Arnhem remained! On the first day, the British troops do not meet much resistance from the Germans who are surprised by the attack.

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However, on the second day, the Germans fight back hard and hit the British very hard. Only 600 British paratroopers, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, managed to reach the Rhine Bridge near Arnhem. After four days they have to surrender, the Germans are too strong. The rest of the British troops are trapped in Oosterbeek and the Polish soldiers near Driel (across the Rhine). These troops cannot go anywhere but fight on because they hope that the rest of the Allied ground troops will come to help them. After nine days of fighting it becomes clear that the ground army will no longer arrive on time and the remaining Allied airborne troops will have to retreat across the Rhine. They do this on the night of 25 to 26 September when it is dark, so that they are not noticed by the Germans. When they wake up the next day, they see that all the British and Polish soldiers have gone, only the badly wounded and medics remain.

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However, on the second day, the Germans fight back hard and hit the British very hard. Only 600 British paratroopers, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, managed to reach the Rhine Bridge near Arnhem. After four days they have to surrender, the Germans are too strong. The rest of the British troops are trapped in Oosterbeek and the Polish soldiers near Driel (across the Rhine). These troops cannot go anywhere but fight on because they hope that the rest of the Allied ground troops will come to help them. After nine days of fighting it becomes clear that the ground army will no longer arrive on time and the remaining Allied airborne troops will have to retreat across the Rhine. They do this on the night of 25 to 26 September when it is dark, so that they are not noticed by the Germans. When they wake up the next day, they see that all the British and Polish soldiers have gone, only the badly wounded and medics remain.

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Hartenstein

Only 600 British paratroopers manage to reach the bridge. The rest of the army becomes trapped in Oosterbeek. The British General Major Urquhart chooses Hotel Hartenstein as his headquarters. This hotel, where the museum is now, therefore becomes the central point of the British who retreat here. Around Hartenstein, because it is the headquarters of the British, there is much hard fighting. Yet the British hold out and Major Urquhart continues to lead his troops from Hartenstein. Only when they have nothing left to fight with, do they leave the hotel and retreat across the Rhine. Hartenstein is left behind damaged.

Photos: Hotel Hartenstein

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Hartenstein

Only 600 British paratroopers manage to reach the bridge. The rest of the army becomes trapped in Oosterbeek. The British General Major Urquhart chooses Hotel Hartenstein as his headquarters. This hotel, where the museum is now, therefore becomes the central point of the British who retreat here. Around Hartenstein, because it is the headquarters of the British, there is much hard fighting. Yet the British hold out and Major Urquhart continues to lead his troops from Hartenstein. Only when they have nothing left to fight with, do they leave the hotel and retreat across the Rhine. Hartenstein is left behind damaged.

Photos: Hotel Hartenstein

ARNHEM: A GHOST TOWN

Because of all the heavy fighting in the area around Arnhem, all residents of Arnhem and surrounding villages are ordered to leave by the Germans; they are evacuated. The Germans are also afraid that the Dutch civilians are going to help the Allies. The residents take what they can with them, but still have to leave a lot of things behind. After all the citizens have left, Arnhem becomes a ghost town. Because the Allies had also bombed many cities in Germany, the Germans took everything that had been left behind in Arnhem back to Germany. They saw it as a replacement for the things that had been lost in their own cities. When the inhabitants of Arnhem return in May 1945, there is almost nothing left but empty, ruined houses.

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Arnhem:

A GHOST TOWN

Because of all the heavy fighting in the area around Arnhem, all residents of Arnhem and surrounding villages are ordered to leave by the Germans; they are evacuated. The Germans are also afraid that the Dutch civilians are going to help the Allies. The residents take what they can with them, but still have to leave a lot of things behind. After all the citizens have left, Arnhem becomes a ghost town. Because the Allies had also bombed many cities in Germany, the Germans took everything that had been left behind in Arnhem back to Germany. They saw it as a replacement for the things that had been lost in their own cities. When the inhabitants of Arnhem return in May 1945, there is almost nothing left but empty, ruined houses.

THE HUNGER WINTER AND THE PEACE

The failure of the Battle of Arnhem means that the whole of the Netherlands above the Rhine (Western and Northern Netherlands) was not liberated before the winter of 1944 set in. This was a very harsh winter in the Netherlands and due to the ongoing war there was not enough fuel left for people to heat their houses. But even worse is that there is not enough food for everyone. A lot of people therefore walk from village to village, every day, in search of food. Unfortunately, around 20,000 Dutch citizens die in the winter because of the shortages.

This period will soon come to be known as the “Hunger Winter”. Germany was not finally defeated until May of 1945 when the German troops in the Netherlands also surrender. The peace negotiations take place on 5 May in hotel “De Wereld” in Wageningen. The west and north of the Netherlands are finally liberated. Only now can the reconstruction of the whole of the Netherlands begin.

The failure of the Battle of Arnhem means that the whole of the Netherlands above the Rhine (Western and Northern Netherlands) was not liberated before the winter of 1944 set in. This was a very harsh winter in the Netherlands and due to the ongoing war there was not enough fuel left for people to heat their houses. But even worse is that there is not enough food for everyone. A lot of people therefore walk from village to village, every day, in search of food. Unfortunately, around 20,000 Dutch citizens die in the winter because of the shortages.

This period will soon come to be known as the “Hunger Winter”. Germany was not finally defeated until May of 1945 when the German troops in the Netherlands also surrender. The peace negotiations take place on 5 May in hotel “De Wereld” in Wageningen. The west and north of the Netherlands are finally liberated. Only now can the reconstruction of the whole of the Netherlands begin.

Every year the liberation of the Netherlands is celebrated on May 5. The day before, on May 4, is National Remembrance Day. However, in addition to the national moments of reflection, in the Arnhem region the Battle of Arnhem is commemorated with commemorations in Arnhem, Ede, Driel and Oosterbeek in September. 1,754 soldiers and some civilians are buried at the Airborne War Cemetery in Oosterbeek and every year British and Polish veterans and their families visit the commemorations.

Would you like to know more about the Battle of Arnhem? Then you should visit the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek or visit the Airborne Arnhem website to find out about more activities in the region.

Every year the liberation of the Netherlands is celebrated on May 5. The day before, on May 4, is National Remembrance Day. However, in addition to the national moments of reflection, in the Arnhem region the Battle of Arnhem is commemorated with commemorations in Arnhem, Ede, Driel and Oosterbeek in September. 1,754 soldiers and some civilians are buried at the Airborne War Cemetery in Oosterbeek and every year British and Polish veterans and their families visit the commemorations.

Would you like to know more about the Battle of Arnhem? Then you should visit the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek or visit the Airborne Arnhem website to find out about more activities in the region.