Operation Market Garden Remembered
Members of the Paignton RBL joined the South Devon Parachute Regiment Association on Sunday 20th September
at the Parachute Regimental Memorial on Paignton Esplanade
to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem.
This battle took place from 17th to 26th September 1944.
Operation Market Garden
In the summer of 1944, the Allies launched a daring airborne operation to secure
the River Rhine crossings and advance into Northern Germany.
The military operation was planned and predominantly led by the British.
Success depended on the taking of a series of nine bridges over the Rhine,
the last being in the city of Arnhem.
Airborne and land forces succeeded in the liberation
of the Dutch cities of Eindhoven and Nijmegen and the associated bridges,
but failed in the liberation of Arnhem and it’s bridge over the river.
Although it ultimately failed to achieve to its objectives, the determination and courage shown by the airborne troops and the units that assisted them made Operation Market Garden one of the Second World War’s most famous battles.
Of the troops that landed at Arnhem, 1,485 soldiers were killed.
The 1st Airborne Division had the most casualties: 1,174 soldiers.
219 men of the Glider Pilot Regiment were killed.
The Independent Polish Parachute Brigade lost a total of 92 men.
Five Victoria Crosses were won during the battle.
The Paratrooper’s Prayer
May the defence of the Most High, be above and beneath, around and within us.
In our going out and in our coming in, our rising up and in our going down.
Through all our days and all our nights, until Dawn, when the Sun of Righteousness
Shall rise with Healing in his wings, for the Peoples of the World
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
