A Bridge Too Far

As British and American airborne divisions landed on September 17, Dutch civilians were overwhelmed by the sight of thousands of paratroopers descending across the countryside. In the towns and fields surrounding Arnhem, civilians wept, cheered, and waved flags. Many saw the invasion as the long-awaited moment of liberation. The British 1st Airborne Division, under Major General Roy Urquhart, landed with remarkable precision near Arnhem, but delays immediately began to mount. Glider troops landed with mixed success; communications equipment was lost, and some supply bundles fell off target. Despite these setbacks, the discipline and appearance of the paratroopers inspired awe. The observing Dutch civilians could hardly believe the scale and coordination of the assault. As British units began moving toward Arnhem, the reality of German resistance began to set in.

As British airborne units began moving toward Arnhem on the afternoon of September 17, delays and confusion hampered their progress. Poor radio communications, difficult terrain, and unexpected German resistance caused the three-pronged advance to splinter. Only Lieutenant Colonel John Frost’s 2nd Battalion, advancing along the southern route, managed to reach the northern end of the Arnhem bridge by nightfall.