More than 700 paratroopers have landed in the same area as their predecessors did as they battled to liberate the Netherlands from the grip of Nazi German tyranny
Arnhem: Parachutists land to mark Operation Market Garden anniversary
Over 700 paratroopers jumped into the fields outside Arnhem today in a poignant tribute to those who died exactly 80 years ago.
They landed in the same area where their predecessors arrived in September 1944 to help liberate Holland. It was a moving scene as they leapt from low flying planes to land on Ginkel Heath just outside Arnhem.
Tens of thousands of locals lined miles of roads to watch the drop. Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Today we honour the veterans of Arnhem and we honour those who fought and died to help liberate our Allies.
“80 years on we remember the huge price paid for our freedom and commit to defending peace and security today. I’m proud that members of our armed forces are at the heart of commemorations in the Netherlands this week.”
In 1944 some 1,900 allied airborne troops from 4th Parachute Brigade jumped from military aircraft into the occupied Netherlands in an attempt to capture the bridges at Arnhem. It combined one of the largest airborne assaults in history, known as “Market”, with a ground offensive, “Garden”, aimed at swiftly capturing key bridges over the Rhine River.
Immortalised by the everyday phrase “a bridge too far”, the failure to secure a final bridge at Arnhem was the result of stronger-than-anticipated German resistance, logistical setbacks and tactical decisions by Allied commanders.
The parachute drop began a weekend of commemorations to mark the 80 th anniversary of an audacious allied attempt to recapture a series of strategically important bridges from the Nazis and open a new route into Germany.
Around 700 paratroopers from eight NATO member countries -Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, UK, and USA – jumped on to Ginkel Heath from 12 aircraft in two waves.”
On Friday a 99-year-old British army veteran returned to Arnhem and climbed from his wheelchair to salute his fallen friends from 80 years ago.
Geoff Roberts was the only one of our war heroes fit enough to come back to remember those killed at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. He specifically asked to be taken to a specific section of the cemetery where his pals were buried.
There he rose from his wheelchair, walked to their graves and gave an emotional salute. Asked what it was like to be back he told Mirror Online: “I’ve got mixed feelings.”
