In September 1944 more than ten thousand British and Polish Airborne troops fought in and around Arnhem. Their objective was to take the Rhine bridge. Six hundred of them managed to reach the bridge. Waiting for reinforcements they fought for four days holding the Northern ramp.
The rest of the force, however, didn't succeed in reaching them. Those held out for five more days at Oosterbeek before finally making their way across the Rhine to Allied held ground. Only 2.293 made it back to England.
Above photos from left to right:
Reconnaissance photograph taken by a Spitfire on Monday 18th September. The wreckage of Graebner's assault visible / The wrecked Arnhem bridge and the Bridge today
Airborne Museum Hartenstein
Photos below left to right:
Sgt Jock Walker, AFPU, outside the Hartenstein Hotel, Oosterbeek, Sept. 1944 / The Hartenstein Hotel today / A supply container landing on the Utrechtseweg, near Divisional HQ, at the Hartenstein Hotel in Oosterbeek, Tuesday September 19, 1944.
During the battle the Hartenstein hotel in Oosterbeek was the headquarters of the British divisional commander, Major-General R.E. Urquhart. The Airborne Museum is situated in this very building. There you can follow the events of the battle as they materialised: from the air landings, the march to the bridge, the fierce fighting in Arnhem and Oosterbeek, to the crossing of the river. British and German arms, equipment and ammunition, abandoned at Arnhem some dug up in later times, authentic film footage, true to life dioramas and an audiovisual presentation make a penetrating picture of the tragedy for which Arnhem and Oosterbeek were the stage in September 1944.
Above photos from left to right:
Soldier defending Divisional Headquarters at the Hartenstein Hotel on Saturday 23rd September / Sniper on the first floor of Hotel Hartenstein / Roy Urquhart outside Divisional HQ at the Hartenstein Hotel on Friday 22nd September 1944 / Display show cases in the Hotel
Arnehm War museum 40-45
