The Plan
Sep 1944: Operation MARKET called for three allied airborne divisions to capture bridges in Belgium and the Netherlands to facilitate operation GARDEN - XXX British Armored Corps' thrust around the German's Seigfried Line and into the heart of Germany.
Joe's Bridge is the nickname given to Bridge No.9 on the Bocholt-Herentals Canal outside the town of Neerpelt, in the Belgian city of Lommel. The bridge was captured by British troops in September 1944, becoming the springboard for the ground offensive of Operation Market-Garden.
Site of the swing bridge at Son, a 101st Airborne Division objective to cross the Wilhelmina Canal. This modern bridge replaces the original, which the Germans destroyed.
The U.S. 82nd Airborne Division captured the John S. Thompson Bridge across the Meuse River, near Grave in the Netherlands.
Soldiers of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division successfully captured the Nijmegen bridge , which spans the Waal River flowing through the Netherlands.
Our lovely waitress for a fine fish dinner in Nijmegen.
Memorial to the Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, which fought valiantly at Arnhem under BG Stanislaw Sosabowski.
Fort Lent on the north bank of the Waal RIver in Lent (just east of Nijmegen). U.S. 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers attacked the fort after paddling the Waal River to take the bridge at Nijmegen.
Hotel Hartenstein
Field Marshall Model's HQ in Oosterbeek, until the British 1st Airborne Division seized it and British 1st Airborne Division commander Urquart used as his own HQ.
Main room where Field Marshall would have walked
Battle at Arnhem
Graphic of the British 1st Airborne's actions, and German responses, to seize the bridge at Arnhem - A Bridge Too Far.
David Samuel Anthony Lord
Awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry, for flying his burning cargo airplane through fire a second time to drop supplies. He and five of the other crewmen died.
Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
Here are interred the remains of 1,759 Commonwealth soldiers and airmen. The line of headstones behind the brick building are those of Polish soldiers, whom the British tried to make as scapegoats for the failed capture of Arnhem Bridge.
No. 14, Zwarteweg, Arnhem
1st British Airborne commander MG Roy Urquart was forced to hide out for 36 hours in the attic of this house during the battle at Arnhem
John Frost Bridge, Arnhem
Named after LTC John Frost, commander of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, led his 745 men to the north side of the Arnhem Bridge to hold it for four days - twice the number called for in the plans.
Insignia of the British 1st Airborne Division - Pegasus
This insignia is inlayed into the sidewalk on John Frost Bridge in Arnhem. A large number of private residences also display flags with insignia.
Vimy Ridge
Certainly not related to the WWII MARKET-GARDEN missions, but a sight along the way. This Allied position looks across a crater at the German lines, just this side of the trees.
Vimy Ridge trenches
Both sides dug non-linear trenches that would attenuate blast forces and limit the range of fire the enemy along the length of the trench.
Allied tunnel to the Vimy Ridge trenches
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
To the valour of their countrymen in the Great War and in memory of their sixty thousand dead, this monument is raised by the people of Canada.
The very capable German Panther tank in the military museum in Overloon, in excellent condition.
