September 1944        
By order of the Reichsführer SS, the date of the initial employment of the A-4 was set for September 5, 1944. Two officers are provided with the necessary authority to bring the two groups North and South into action. Leader of Group North is Major Mertin. Leader of Group South is Major Schulz.         

Shortage of time and the problems of bringing a new weapon into action, as well as the uncertainty of activities at the front, will hinder these plans. The staff of the supply platoon was divided. Oberst zum Eschenhoff remains in Group North, Major Jester is transferred to Group South for the supply task. Group South receives a greater number of vehicles, for the transport platoon 899. In another meeting Major Mertin is charged with the task to determine the transfer of the units of the former Harko 191 and Gen.Kdo. LXV. A.K. to the A-4 troop.              

2 September 1944, Saturday, Battery 444 travelled to Euskirchen with orders to proceed south to attack Paris. On Sunday, September 3, Battery 485 moves into Den Haag (The Hague) to set up operations against London. The influential suburb of Wassenaar is chosen as the first launching location.   

6 September 1944, Wednesday 09.00 hours and 09.40 hours – Battery 444, St. Vith, 18 km southeast of Malmedy (Belgium), rocket misfire.  Both rockets came up to full power, lifted a few feet and then set back down on firing table, still vertical, when engines cut off. The intended target for each rocket was Paris. Battery 444 also suffered its first combat losses this same day when the unit was attacked by partisans.

7 September 1944, Thursday, Battery 444 moves to a new Site (17 miles southeast of former Site) near Houffalize (Belgium). It was a place between Baraque de Fraiture et Houffalize, in an area (very little village, only a few houses) called Petites Tailles. This is about 3 km south of Barraque de Fraiture.  Meanwhile Battery 2/485 in Wassenaar experienced a storm that uprooted trees (one tree fell on the test tent). Also problems with the new ground equipment delayed the launches.

8 September, (+/-18.35 hours) – Batt. 2./485, Wassenaar, crossroads of Lijsterlaan / Schouwweg, V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Chiswick (3 dead, 7 seriously injured. 7 Houses demolished) or Epping, Essex (fell in Parndon Wood. Slight damage to two cottages).

The launches on September 8 from Wassenaar lifted off simultaneously and were performed using the I-Gerät. However, confusing radio signals were transmitted during the launches and the reactions of the enemy observed.

9 September, Saturday, the RAF located the first launching Sites in Wassenaar and attacked. A heated battle ensued with anti-aircraft batteries. Later that night, troops of Battery 1/485 set up operations in the Wassenaar area near The Hague. Group North is reorganized: Major Mertin is charged with special tasks. Major von Ploetz now is leader of Group North. Oberst Hohmann is again leader of Battalion 485.

10 September 1944, Sunday, (+/-21.25 hours) – Battery 1/485, Wassenaar, Beukenhorst, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Fambridge, Essex. The Rocket disintegrated before impact. Slight damage to buildings on two farms.

12 September 1944, Tuesday, (08.14 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, Duindigt, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham. Fell in school grounds. Two surface shelters demolished, one wing of school destroyed by fire. Twelve people were seriously injured.

12 September 1944, Tuesday, (17.50 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Paglesham, Essex. Fell on marshland. Slight damage to farm building.

13 September 1944, Wednesday, (11.05 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, Duindigt, V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea in mouth of River Blackwater, Essex.

On the 15th intensive air activities over Group North (The Hague) by RAF resulted in losses, both in men and material. The air activities force the V-2 troops to change positions. Replacement launch sites south of Den Haag were determined. One prepared, but unused launch site was even destroyed. Battery 444 arrived at Walcheren from Stavelot, Belgium (via Germany) and set up operations against London. Group South begins launching against Lille.

15 September 1944, Friday, (22.33 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, Wassenaar, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in a farm field at Noak Hill, near Romford, Essex. The Rocket disintegrated before impact.

General Kammler had travelled to Walcheren and was present when the first launches were performed against London. However, the preparations for the next round of launches were hampered by intensive air activities of the enemy. The supply line was interrupted for 12 or more hours due to the bombings of the road Bergen op Zoom/Middelburg between 19.00 and 20.00 hours.

16 September 1944, Saturday, (+/- 07.00 hours) – Battery 444, Walcheren, Serooskerke, Vrederust, V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham. Direct hit on houses. Six people killed and fifteen seriously injured. Four Houses demolished. Large pieces of the rocket remains were taken to the East Ham police station.

 Direct hit on houses in East Ham

17 September 1944, Sunday, (13.02 hours) – Battery 485, (location unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hockley, Essex. Fell on open ground among brambles. Three people seriously injured.

Just after noon on September 17, 1944, 12 Spitfires of No. 229 Squadron RAF took off from their base at Coltishall. Their mission was to scan a stretch of the Dutch coast looking for evidence of rocket activity. While patrolling at 12,000 feet over North Holland, they witnessed a V-2 rising in the distance at terrific speed. The rocket impacted several minutes later in greater London at Coulsdon. The Spitfires were too far away to discern the exact location from which the rocket had been fired. They could only report the general location, which was near the coast, possibly The Hague. Battery 444 launched their final rocket of the day that evening, which came down at Adelaide Road, Brockley, Lewisham, killing 14 people and injuring another 41. (Ref: T Dungan, V-2: A Combat History of the First Ballistic Missile, 2005).

Later that evening, 27 Lancaster bombers and 5 Mosquito’s, acting on a tip from the Dutch underground, attacked the surrounding area near Beukenhorst between Raaphorstlaan and Eikenhorstlaan. The attack took place between 18.38 hrs and 18.48 hrs. 169 tons of Brisant high explosive bombs and twenty-four 250-pound marker-bombs were dropped. Sighted visually, the target was well marked and the attack was concentrated with many bombs falling directly on target. These heavily wooded areas southeast of Wassenaar were suspected as V-2 supply depots but in fact were not.

Very intensive enemy air activity around Nijmegen and Arnhem during the start of Operation Market Garden. Allied paratrooper landings near the command post of SB.2 near Nijmegen.

After September 18-19 there were no V-2 troops near The Hague. Because of the Allied invasion of Operation “Market Garden,” both the 1/485 and 2/485 moved to positions in the area Burgsteinfurt –Münster-Coesfeld with the new target area Belgian and northern French industrial area, while Battery 444 moved overnight to Dordrecht and supply site Blasig to east of Utrecht, then to Rijs in Gaasterland. Command post of SB.2 and Group North move to Darfeld.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

04/09/1944    18.50  Hadleigh        A Barrage balloon grounded and caused damage

to overhead electric cables, telephone wires and chimney of house.  N.C. or other damage.

10/09/1944    16.25  Childerditch  Ernest Charles Holden, age 49, of 1 Masefield

Crescent Gidea Park was killed as the result of an explosion which occurred whilst he was taking part in Home Guard exercises.

12/09/1944    13.00  Benfleet         A meteorological balloon and kite fell on Bonville’s

                                                            Farm.  N.D.C.

12/09/1944    17.55  Paglesham    1 – ‘H.B’ (Big Ben) fell on East Hall Marshes NE of

East Hall causing crater 45′ x 20′.  A considerable amount of electrical equipment was scattered over a wide area.  Very minor damage to property.  N.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown   Herongate         1 – Ux.A.A. Shell found in bank E side of

                                                            Waterworks.  Date and time of falling unknown.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Brentwood         1 – Ux.A.A. Shell found in L.N.E.R.

                                                            embankment.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hullbridge          1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in garden rear of

                                                            “Cranley” The Walk.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hockley  1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell on Blackburn Farm, Hurrell’s

                                                            Lane Church Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hawkwell            1 – Ux.H.E. fell in field 60 yards SW of

                                                            Mahala Lodge, Sunny Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hutton     1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field on Creasey’s Farm. 

                                                            N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Herongate  1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in wheatfield 1/4 mile SE of

                                                            Heron Hall.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hutton     1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field 3/4 mile W of

                                                            Creasey’s Farm.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Shenfield            1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field 40 yards S of

                                                            L.N.E.R. line and 30 yards W of Arnold’s   N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hutton     1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in Cedar Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Laindon  1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field 1/4 mile S of Hart’s

                                                            Farm Basildon Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Bowers    1 – Ux.S.Y.B. found 200 yards W of North Staines

                                           Gifford    Farm.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  East         1 – A.A. Shell unexploded fell in copse 500 yards

                                          Horndon W of Military Camp.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Little         1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 200 yards N of

                                          Warley     Rectory Chase.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown Herongate           1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field rear of ‘Old

                                                            Dog’ P.H.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Vange     1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in in field 1/4 mile N of Vange

                                                            Hall.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Brentwood         1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in in field 300 yards S

                                                            of railway bridge Nags Head Lane.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Mountnessing   1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 500 yards N of

                                                            Fitzwalters Farm.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Brentwood         1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Hart’s

                                                            House Estate Hartswood Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  East         1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in in field 500 yards N of

Horndon  Arterial Road 100 yards E of Thorndon Avenue.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Ramsden            1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 150 yards W of

                                          Bellhouse           The Hall Church Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Rochford 1 – Ux. H.E. fell in field on Shopland Hall.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Pitsea      1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in back garden of 59 Rectory

                                                            Hill Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Ingrave   1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in ploughed field 100 yards S

of Hatch House and 100 yards W of Hatch Farm Thorndon Park.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  East         1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in field 440 yards N of Arterial

                                         Horndon   Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Laindon  1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 50 yards SE of

“Woodlands” bungalow Ladysmith Avenue.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  North       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 150 yards NE of

                                          Benfleet  telephone Exchange Pound Lane.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hutton     1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in footpath N side of Rayleigh

Road 40 yards W of Havering Gore Bridge.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Dunton    1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 600 yards N of

                                                            Dunton Church.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Dunton    1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 300 yards SW of

                                                            Dunton Hall Farm.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Dunton    1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in L.M.S. railway

embankment S of railway line, 10 yards W of railway arch on Dunton Hall Farm.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in Cemetery Hockley Road. 

                                                            N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown Cranham 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in ploughed field 30 ft S of

Arterial Road and 300 yards E of Front Lane Cranham.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Laindon  1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 600 yards E of White’s

Farm, 300 yards N of Wash Road.  N.D.C.13/09/1944 Unknown  Laindon         1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on N side of Arterial Road 1/4 mile W of “Fortune of War” crossroads.   N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Great       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 20 yards E of

                                          Warley     Jermain’s Wood.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Great       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Oldbury Farm. 

                                         Wakering N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Rochford 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 100 yards NE of

                                                            Waterworks.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hutton     2 – Ux. A.A. Shells fell in field S of Brindle’s Farm. 

                                                            N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Great       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 600 yards E of White’s

                                          Burstead Farm.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Crays       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 30 yards S of “Shirley”

                                           Hill          London Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in front garden of “Dingle

                                                            Dell” Bull Lane.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Mountnessing   1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Fitzwalters

                                                            Farm 200 yards W of Stephens House.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Great       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 100 yards E of

                                          Warley     Dickenson’s Farm Warley Street.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hadleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at Salvation Army Colony. 

                                                            N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Brentwood         1 – Ux. A.A. Shell exploded on Calcott Hall

                                                            Farm, Ongar Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Vange     3 – Ux. A.A. Shells fell in close vicinity to “The

                                                            Oaks” Timberlog Lane.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Great       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in kitchen garden of Hampton

                                          Warley     House Warley Hill.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Laindon  At 11-00 on 3.7.44 an aluminium canister 14″ x 4″

believed to be an oxygen cylinder bearing the word “Luftwaffe” and various figures, was found on waste ground where it had apparently been for some time.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Herongate          1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 200 yards E of

                                                            Billericay Road.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Potton     1 – H.E. exploded 1 1/2 miles NE of Potton Island

                                           Island     Farmhouse.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Paglesham        1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 100 yards W of

                                                            West Hall Farmhouse.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hadleigh A cannon shell caused slight damage to roof and

ceilings of a bungalow “Sunset” Woodfield Road.  N.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Billericay 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in back garden of “Hilltop”

                                                            bungalow Highfield Road S Green.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Childerditch       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell nr dried pond in field

                                                            430 yards SW of Childerditch Hall.  N.D.C.

13/09/1944    Unknown  Bowers    1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell on marshes.  N.D.C.

       Gifford

13/09/1944    Unknown  Hutton     1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Bushwood Farm. 

                                                            N.D.C.

17/09/1944    12.05  Hockley          1 – ‘R.B’ exploded in St Peter’s Road causing 1

serious and 2 slight casualties, also serious damage to 4 large greenhouses and ‘D’ damage to approx. 7 houses.

17/09/1944    20.40  Canewdon    1 ‘Fly’ exploded 75 yards W of Creeksea Washway

Road.  No casualties, slight damage to 2 dwellings and farm buildings.

17/09/1944    Unknown   Vange    A Lieut. Ott of 3rd Btn Essex Home Guard during

an exercise at Vange Hall Farm was accidentally shot through the body by a Pte Saville inadvertently using live ammunition and died at Billericay Hospital on 27.9.44.

24/09/1944    20.35  Ashingdon    An American aircraft believed Marauder crashed

and exploded in field near Noon’s Farm.  The bodies of four airmen were recovered and conveyed to RAF Aerodrome Rochford.  Number and Station of aircraft were not known.

28/09/1944    15.20  Foulness       An American Mustang aircraft crashed 300 yards

Island             SE of Sandy Cottages and 500 yards due W of Foulness Church and was completely burnt out.  The Pilot James W Leek (No believed 0/763243) was killed.  RAF informed.  The number of aircraft and station were unknown.

23 Sept (Sat)

Pictures of King & Q Astrid everywhere & notices ‘Hearty Welcome & gratitude to our Liberators’ – crowds v excited – felt quite a hero!

On duty tomorrow am at 8.30.  On duty today 1-6 pm.  Nothing very much doing – no major flaps.  Wrote A during am and again after dinner.  Had superb bath – water not boiling but OK to sit in.  Early night – read Summer Pie and ate large quantities of fruit before going to bed.  Lovely day – masses of gliders over during afternoon.

To A                                                    From Nil

22 Sept (Fri) Demob scheme]

                        Extra pay          ] announced

Up at 5.30 and on the rd at 6.30.  Up through Mons, Hal, Brussels, and Mechelin (Malines).  Took up my posn in rd just W of Mechelin but was never given any infm by the G1 (B.S.) who said he would give me the dope before 2 pm.  Brussels super – buy anything – people well dressed – far better than London – no damage.  Had wizard 2d in civvy house seat and chain!  He had fought near Pari in last war – Houthulst Foret – F*** – E on left *** Essex R.  Left at 6.30 & was led by LO to our new HQ in a SUPER hotel at Keerbergen – champagne etc.  Bed at 11 ocl in Hull’s tent – all the Belgium smells & noises.  In part finest just like Zute G.C. Trains etc & car hooters.

To Nil  (Bought pipe in Hal & tomatoes & pears) From Nil

21 Sept (Thurs)

Left at 6.15 after hectic night with one hours sleep.  Route – EU – St Valery – up just W of Bethune where I left the 49 Div column I had been watching – back through Arras (I brought a wizard bot of Houbijaut 350fr) – Cambrai to our staging area just W of Valenciennes.  No real sign of poverty, illness etc – all absolute balls.  Arrived at Staging Camp at 6 ocl.  Shared tent with Roger Hopkins.  Had good lunch up side lane – bought a few eggs and had a couple hard boiled for lunch.  Stephen G tight last night?  Went in – though someone out of office – sure to get away with it – he did!

Through Ochancourt where A Tp in 1940 were surrounded.

From – Nil                                                      To – Nil

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 95

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 9180

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Ernest Wilkinson Sgt.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 14.7.44

Sweetheart.  Here I am again, and I hope this card finds you as it leaves me, very fit.  We should be fit anyway, we have PT every morning, and we can play at football, baseball, and cricket, whichever we like.  This is all for now Darling.  Give my love to your mother, and my regards to all at Prestwich, and everyone else.  All my love to you Dearest.  I love you.  Yours forever.

Please send me a photograph of yourself.   Ernest

20 Sept (Wed)

Up pretty early – 7.15 am – expecting to be in the infm Room but plan changed – usual duty 8.30-1 pm.  Lovely day – sunny & warm.  After lunch, armed with mass of cheque books went over to Rear.  For self cashed £3-19-4 (700^f Belgian) – after tea wrote A and had half hour with no 6 in field just by Rear Area.  Wrote again after v good dinner which consisted inter alia of trout – paid out my 50^f bet lost to Nigel.  Steve a bit tight took over from him at 10.30 pm hectic to start with –

To A                                                    From – L

     G                                                               G, B, JQ

18 Sep (Mon)

Moved today to Smermesnil – about 30 miles SE of DIEPPE – not far from NEUFCHATEL.  Felt very stiff today – on duty 7- 10.30 – rozzer in one of his usual ill-bred uneducated moods – otherwise not much to report.  News of Airborne landings good – 60% of objectives taken so far.  Good show.  Quiet night no flaps. Left old locn at 9.40.

Finished Flowers for the Judge – v good.

To – L (during night)                                    From Nil

Operation Market Garden

Following the successful Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, the 6^th June 1944, the Allies advanced and liberated Paris on the 25^th August 1944. The next objective was for the Allies to undertake an attack through the Netherlands and into Northern Germany over the Lower Rhine River (Nederrijn River). Had Operation Market Garden been successful it is possible the European war could have been won by the end of 1944. Market Garden was the codename of the Battle for Arnhem. The operation was eventually a failure for a number of reasons. Compliancy, the disagreement by British and U.S, commanders and the first strong well prepared German defensive system since Normandy. During the planning stage, the most basic error of judgement was to ignore the two Panzer Divisions as they were supposedly resting and refitting just north of Arnhem. However, the failure inspired Dutch civilians and earned for Britain a lasting tie of friendship with Holland.

Despite his normal cautious approach for action, British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery suggested the plan for Operation Market Garden. Montgomery persuaded Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Dwight Eisenhower, the plan was possible and duly received the go-ahead. However, U.S. General Omar Bradley disagreed thinking the plan was a hare-brained scheme, but the plan went ahead anyway. He did later concede had the plan been successful the war could have ended in 1944 and was sorry it failed. The operation was carried out in two phases. “Market” was carried out by paratroopers from Britain, the U.S. and Poland and “Garden” was the Allied infantry being transported along a single road from Normandy.

On the 1^st September 1944 Eisenhower (Ike) took command of Allied ground forces. On the same day Montgomery (Monty) was promoted to Field Marshall. The Allies advanced through France and into Belgium and liberated Brussels on the 3^rd September 1944. The Belgian port of Antwerp was liberated on the 4^th September 1944, but supplies could not be brought in as the Germans had naval control in the North Sea. On the 10^th September 1944 Monty and Ike met in Brussels and Monty proposed a “full-blooded thrust”. The first disagreement occurred when Monty demanded of his commander-in-chief to give him enough supplies for the operation to succeed. Ike counter argued that as the supplies were coming from Normandy they were to serve the whole advance. However, Market Garden was given the go-ahead. In the meantime U.S. troops had crossed the German border.

17^th September1944. Operation Market Garden began with airborne landings taking place at the bridges around Arnhem, Nijmegen and Eindhoven. At the beginning of the operation, apart from Arnhem, the first wave of Allied Airborne attacks were successful, each landing 80% of the troops within 1,100 yds (1,000 m) of their drop zone. German defensive flak was “heavy but inaccurate”, and losses to Allied aircraft was minimal.

Day 1:  17^th September 19

The tactical commander of Operation Market Garden was Lieutenant-General Frederick (Boy) Browning. His command included the British 1^st Airborne Division commanded by Major-General Roy Urquhart.  Only half of the 1^st Airborne landed during the first attack, and of these only half of these advanced toward the bridge. Awaiting the arrival of the second wave the following day, theremainder of the 1^st Airborne defended the drop zones overnight Whilst most of the attacking forces met with German resistance, the 2^nd Parachute Battalion found a route largely undefended. The 2^nd Paras, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost arrived at the bridge in the evening and set up defensive positions.

Day 2:  18^th September 1944

Towed gliders were scheduled to precede to the bridges. However, the weather forecast for fog in England did turn out to be accurate. This predicted fog postponed the second Allied glider attack for three hours. Eventually the gliders were towed to the battle area only to find thick low cloud developing. In Arnhem the 4^th Parachute Brigade, commanded by Brig-Gen John Hackett, jumped and landed at full strength to join up with the defenders.

Deployed east of Nijmegen, German defenders hindered the progress of the U.S. 82^nd Airborne (Browning’s third command). The 82^nd Airborne Division was commanded by Brig-General James Gavin. The landing zone was cleared of Germans by the 82^nd and later in the day 134 B-24 bombers dropped supplies at low level.                                                                          

Faced with determined resistance by German infantry and tanks, British XXX Corps linked up with the U.S. 101^st Airborne Division near Eindhoven. The British XXX Corps, part of “Market”, was commanded by Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks (Browning’s second in command). The 101^st Airborne Division was commanded by Major-General Maxwell Taylor (Browning’s fourth in command).                                                                                                        

Day 3:  19^th September 1944s

The remaining 1st Airborne attempted to withdraw into a defensive pocket at Oosterbeek and form a bridgehead on the Rhine River. Later in the day 35 gliders containing the first wave of the Polish 1^st Independent Polish Brigade, commanded by Major-General Stanislaw Sosabrowski parachuted into Driel, approximately 2.5 miles (4km) south-west of Arnhem. Most of the Polish troops were killed.  The second wave of gliders transporting the remainder of the Polish paras were postponed due to dense fog in England.

Approaching Nijmegen, Grenadier Guards of the XXX Corps made contact with the 82^nd Airborne, south-west of the bridge at Grave. Commanders of the XXX Corps’ armoured division took control of the troops of the combined forces of XXX Corps and 82^nd Airborne. They were halted 440 yards (400m) from the bridge. Plans were discussed and agreed the 82^nd Airborne would cross the river in small boats and attack from the north. Boats were requested but did not arrive. Bad weather in England prevented the much-needed scheduled reinforcements.

To the south, at Eindhoven, units of the 101^st Airborne were forced to yield to the German counter-attacks. German tanks were pushed back with the arrival of British tanks and the bridge was secured. When German bombers attacked the town of Eindhoven they dropped parachute flares which set the town ablaze causing massive damage and many civilian casualties. The bombers did not suffer any losses as the Allies had no anti-aircraft guns.

Day 4:  20^th September 1944

At Arnhem Bridge, Frost’s forces continued to hold out against tanks the Allies thought were being rested and refitted. After having established communications with the 1^st Airborne they learnt XXX Corps would not be relieving them as they had been halted at Nijmegen. The tanks were able to demolish the British positions at point-blank range as there was a lack of anti-tank munitions. Also lack of food, water and medical supplies had weakened the British defence.  A two hour truce was arranged to evacuate the wounded into German captivity, including the wounded Colonel Frost. When Frost left Major Frederick Gough took over as commander. The remaining British troops continued to fight PD.

At Nijmegen the 82^nd Airborne landed on the south of the river. German defenders and some tanks were positioned to the south side of the river and access to the bridge was blocked. The only way the 82^nd Airborne could seize the bridge was by a frontal river crossing from the south. British XXX Corps canvas folding boats were the only vessels available. 26 boats were rowed across the river with some troops using their rifle butts as paddles. Despite heavy fire from the Germans about half the boats survived the crossing. After the second crossing only eleven boats survived. Some “boat crews” had crossed the river five times to ferry over the remaining troops. German forces withdrew from the north end of the bridge when the U.S, paratroopers arrived. Tanks of the XXX Corps crossed the bridge and the bridge was captured. 200 paratroopers were killed crossing the river with German losses in excess of 260.

Day 5:  21^st September 1944

Major Gough’s 1^st Airborne left Arnhem and established themselves in the buildings and woods at Oosterbeek. The intention was to form a bridgehead until the XXX Corps arrived. All day they were heavily attacked on all sides by German armoured vehicles. Despite several infantry attacks the remnants of the 1^st Airborne held the ground.

Due to fog over England having lifted the remainder of Sosabowski’s Polish Brigade entered the battle. Two thirds were dropped and landed south of the Rhine near Driel, and were confronted with heavy German fire. The remaining Polish paratroopers landed 12 to 15 miles away near Grave. Persistent attacks by Luftwaffe and the poor coordination by British air transfer officers caused the Polish supplies to be dropped on the opposite side of the Rhine, 9.3 miles away. Unable to help the British, all of the Polish paratroopers withdrew to Driel and organised defensive positions.

Five tanks of the XXX Corps had crossed the captured Nijmegen Bridge and were awaiting the infantry to secure the bridge. Unknown to the Allied defenders of the bridge, three Tiger tanks with accompanying infantry was heading along the road from Arnhem. These tanks were the remainder of tanks the British thought were resting and refitting. Supplies for the XXX Corps were slow coming along the single road from Belgium and with other confusions all round reinforcements did not reach Nijmegen. In the meantime the German defences had been reinforced. The reserve troops attached to the 82nd Airborne were ordered to make contact with the Polish paratroopers at Driel.

Day 6:  22^nd September 1944

As the reserves attached to the 82^nd Airborne attempted to advance to Driel, the fog lifted exposing them to German fire. They eventually arrived at Driel during the evening. Lacking assault craft, British and Polish engineers, on both sides of the Rhine, had worked all day to improvise a small boat crossing linked by signals cable. The Polish troops were forced to row across the river against the strong current as the cable kept breaking. Only 52 Polish survived the crossing after being decimated by heavy German fire before a halt was called.

Day 7:  23^rd September 1944

The Germans spent the day trying to isolate the remnants of the 1^st Airborne who had made their way to Oosterbeek. In an effort to cut off the combined Polish and XXX Corps the Germans attacked several locations to tie down the forces but the attacks were defeated.However,the attempt to reinforce the 1^st Airbornewas a complete failure as the Polish and XXX Corps did not manage to make contact as planned.

Day 8:  24^th September 1944

A second attempt to reach the 1^st Airborne also failed. Operation Market Garden, the Allied crossing of the Rhine was abandoned. A decision, by commanders in the field, was made to form a new defensive line in Nijmegen. However, another decision was taken to attempt to reinforce the 1st Airborne. Of the 315 Dorsetshire Regiment who parachuted and landed north of the Rhine only 75 reached 0osterbeek. The Dorsets had landed among German positions and were immediately pinned down. The remaining 260 Dorsets were taken prisoner. A final decision was made to withdraw the 1^st Airborne from its bridgehead north of the Rhine.

Day 9:  25^th September 1944

At dawn Gough’s 1^st Airborne received orders to withdraw from Operation Market Garden. At 22.00 hrs, Polish paratroopers covered the retreat of the 1^st Airborne as they began their withdrawal. British and Canadian engineers ferried the defenders across the Rhine. At first light the next morning all but 300 men of the 1^st Airborne were safely across the river. Of the remaining 300, some of whom were Polish, surrendered on the north bank and were taken prisoner. The withdrawal of the 1^st Airborne was a success.

—

Arnhem ended up being a BRIDGE TOO FAR and the failed operation had incurred approximately 17,000 overall casualties. Out of nearly 11,000 men who had crossed north of the Rhine, approximately 7,900 lost their lives, were wounded or captured. German casualties amounted to approximately 8,000. Individual Allied commanders blamed the failures of everything else but forgot to mention their own blunders. Ultimately they considered the British were responsible owing to the lack of planning. Undoubtedly the operation was a German victory, but somehow Monty, for some reason, claimed the operation had been 90% successful!

–

Various Honours were awarded during Operation Market Garden.

VICTORIA CROSS

Five VCs were awarded, four posthumously.

17^TH/20^th Sept. – John Greyburn, 2^nd Parachute Brigade and awarded the posthumous promotion to Captain.

18^th Sept. – F/Lt David Lord, pilot of RAF Down Ampney, Gloucestershire.

19^th Sept. – Captain Lionel Queripel, 10^th Parachute Battalion.

20^th Sept. – Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield, South Staffordshire Regiment.

25^th Sept. – Major Robert Cain, South Staffordshire Battalion. He was the only one to survive the battle. The TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson married his second wife Frances Cain in May 1993. Frances is the daughter of the VC recipient Robert Cain. Together they had three children but the marriage didn’t last and ended in divorce in 2014.

—

Commissioned in April 1942, Flight Lieutenant James Edwards was a Dakota pilot in the Royal Air Force. Ferrying supplies into Arnhem his aircraft was shot down and he received facial injuries which required plastic surgery. He had previously taken part in the D-Day landings of June 1942. For the action at Arnhem he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He became a member of the “Guinea Pig Club” and grew a large handlebar moustache that disguised his injury. The “Guinea Pig Club” was set up for people with facial injuries requiring plastic surgery. Upon recovering from his injuries, and the war being over, he became a comedian on radio and TV. With his handlebar moustache he ended being known as Professor Jimmy Edwards.

—

MEDAL OF HONOR

Three posthumous Medal of Honor were awarded to American soldiers.

18^th Sept. – Robert Cole, commanding the 3^rd Battalion of 502^nd Polish Infantry Regiment.

19^th Sept.  – Private First Class Joe Mann, 101^st Airborne Division.          

21^st Sept. – Private John Towle, 82^nd Airborne Division.  

—

Military Order of William

Two units received the highest Dutch military award, the Military Order of William.

8^th October 1945 – HM Queen Wilhelmina awarded the Knights 4^th Class honour to the U.S. 82^nd Airborne Division.

31^st May 2006 – HM Queen Beatrice awarded the Knights 4^th Class honour to the Polish 1^st Independent Parachute Brigade.

—————————————————-

17 Sept (Sun)

When I put my watch back at ‘last light’ just prior to going to sleep found it was 8.45 pm! – Up early good b’fast – egg, sausage, tomato & bacon! (see 16 Sept) – nothing much this morning except at end when I went out to help sort out a traffic problem.  After lunch read & slept til 4 ocl tea then good game of soccer offrs v sergeants – Draw 6-6 (yours truly got 3) – After super wash & dinner wrote A in V1 then packed up prior to tomorrows move and relieved John R at 10.30.  excellent news about 1 Airborne Army drop today.

To – A                                                            From Nil