Operation Market Garden: Difference between revisions

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{{Image|Battle of Arnhem.jpg|right|450px|The "Battle of Arnhem" was mainly about the possession of two road bridges: at Nijmegen (conquered by the Allied forces) and Arnhem (held by the Germans)}}
{{Image|Battle of Arnhem.jpg|right|450px|The "Battle of Arnhem" was mainly about the possession of two road bridges: at Nijmegen (conquered by the Allied forces) and Arnhem (held by the Germans)}}
'''Operation Market Garden''', implemented by the Allies in World War II, was an unsuccessful to seize bridges over the [[Meuse River|Meuse]], [[Waal River|Waal]] and [[Rhine River|Rhine]] rivers in the German-occupied Netherlands. The Maas and Waal crossings were necessary pre-requisites for land-based forces to move forward, but the critical targets were the rail and road bridges over the Rhine at [[Arnhem]]. The name "Market Garden" reflected two major sub-operations: Market was the actual parachute and glider landings by the three divisions (British 1st Airborne Division, U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions) and one Polish brigade of the First Allied Airborne Army; Garden was the linkup by XXX Armoured Corps.


'''Operation Market Garden''' was an Allied operation of the [[Second World War]], intended to seize bridges over the [[Meuse River|Maas]], [[Waal River|Waal]] and [[Rhine River|Rhine River]] in [[the Netherlands]]. While the other river crossings were necessary prequisites for land-based forces to move forward, the Rhine rail and road bridges at [[Arnhem]] were the most critical targets. The operation started the evening of September 17, 1944 with dropping of airborne troops to the West of Arnhem and was over after remaining British and Polish paratroops retreated from the Northern  Rhine bank on September 25 and 26. The end result was that the Maas (Meuse) and Waal bridges were in Allied hands and that the road bridge at Arnhem was held by the Germans (they blew the rail bridge during the battle).
The operation began in the evening of 17 September 1944 when airborne troops were dropped into a landing zone west of Arnhem. They encountered strong German resistance. This was unexpected as Allied Command were unaware that a [[Waffen SS]] armoured corps had been posted to the area for rest and relaxation. The Germans blew the rail bridge but, despite a fierce assault by the Allied troops, managed to hold the rail bridge. The Allies had hoped to capture the road bridge in a single rush soon after landing, as they had done at the Pegasus Bridge on D-Day. However, as Arnhem is a large town, the drop zones were a long way from the bridge and the Germans had time to organise their defence. Meanwhile, the advancing British land force had captured the Meuse and Waal crossings. Many Allied troops were taken prisoner in Arnhem and the battle ended after the rest retreated on 25 and 26 September.


The name "Market Garden" reflected two major sub-operations: Market was the actual parachute and glider landings by the three divisions (U.K. [[1st Airborne Division]], U.S. [[82nd Airborne Division|82nd]] and 101st Airborne Divisions) and one Polish brigade of the [[First Allied Airborne Army]]; Garden was the linkup by [[XXX Armored Corps]]. Unknown to the Allied command, an SS German armored corps had retreated close to Arnhem to rest and recover from battle, creating a much stronger defense than expected. The drop and landing zones were far enough from the actual bridges, in Arnhem, that they could not be reached in a single rush, as was [[Pegasus Bridge]] at the [[Battle of Normandy]].
All accounts praise the British forces who fought at Arnhem, but they had to advance from unfavourable positions against much stronger resistance than anticipated. Eventually, the 1st Airborne splintered and several units were obliged to surrender after fighting overwhelming odds. Other units, and many individuals, managed to escape across the Rhine and reach safety at Nijmegen.


By every account, the British forces in Arnhem fought brilliantly, but from unfavorable positions against much stronger resistance than expected. Eventually, the 1st Airborne Division broke up, some units surrendering after fighting overwhelming odds, and other units and individuals managing to evade capture, cross the Rhine,  and reach friendly forces.
==References==
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The "Battle of Arnhem" was mainly about the possession of two road bridges: at Nijmegen (conquered by the Allied forces) and Arnhem (held by the Germans)

Operation Market Garden, implemented by the Allies in World War II, was an unsuccessful to seize bridges over the Meuse, Waal and Rhine rivers in the German-occupied Netherlands. The Maas and Waal crossings were necessary pre-requisites for land-based forces to move forward, but the critical targets were the rail and road bridges over the Rhine at Arnhem. The name "Market Garden" reflected two major sub-operations: Market was the actual parachute and glider landings by the three divisions (British 1st Airborne Division, U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions) and one Polish brigade of the First Allied Airborne Army; Garden was the linkup by XXX Armoured Corps.

The operation began in the evening of 17 September 1944 when airborne troops were dropped into a landing zone west of Arnhem. They encountered strong German resistance. This was unexpected as Allied Command were unaware that a Waffen SS armoured corps had been posted to the area for rest and relaxation. The Germans blew the rail bridge but, despite a fierce assault by the Allied troops, managed to hold the rail bridge. The Allies had hoped to capture the road bridge in a single rush soon after landing, as they had done at the Pegasus Bridge on D-Day. However, as Arnhem is a large town, the drop zones were a long way from the bridge and the Germans had time to organise their defence. Meanwhile, the advancing British land force had captured the Meuse and Waal crossings. Many Allied troops were taken prisoner in Arnhem and the battle ended after the rest retreated on 25 and 26 September.

All accounts praise the British forces who fought at Arnhem, but they had to advance from unfavourable positions against much stronger resistance than anticipated. Eventually, the 1st Airborne splintered and several units were obliged to surrender after fighting overwhelming odds. Other units, and many individuals, managed to escape across the Rhine and reach safety at Nijmegen.

References

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