Battlefield Tours

September 23rd

September 23rd

Eindhoven / Veghel

Late in the afternoon, the allies manage to reopen the corridor at Veghel, persistent attacks from the 501st and the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne and the 44 Royal Tank Regiment of the 32 Guards brigade manage to break up the blockade. It takes a while longer to clear the roads of destroyed vehicles but eventually the road is reopened and traffic once more flows towards Arnhem.

At Eerde the 501st PIR stops German Assaults coming from Schijndel by German Paratroopers.

At the landing zones near Son, the 907th Glider Field Artillery arrives with 105mm artillery pieces, this is a welcome addition to the division artillery.

Arnhem

The former HQ of the 1st Airborne Division in Oosterbeek, now the Airborne Museum.

The Airbornes are hard pressed around the perimeter at Oosterbeek, the Germans use heavy artillery and snipers combined with sharp attacks backed by armor to try and cut the perimeter in two. The Brits and Poles have a huge shortage of food, water, medicine and ammunition due to the fact that most of the supplies dropped falls into enemy hands. Only the long-range artillery fire from XXX corps keeps the perimeter intact. It’s uncertain how long the perimeter can hold out.

Another attempt was made to ferry the polish paratroopers across the Rhine, followed by 5 Dorset and 7 Hampshire of the 43rd Wessex Division. However there are only 16 boats available and just 250 Poles managed to get across and into the perimeter, the Dorsets and Hampshire’s can do nothing but wait and never even got close to the boats. During the crossing, the Poles sustain very heavy casualties.

Nijmegen

In the morning the 82nd Airborne finally receives reinforcements. Its 325th Glider infantry regiment arrives together with batteries from the 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion. 348 gliders land on Landing zone O at Overasselt.

The 508th PIR attacks from the Waal bridge towards Erlecom along the South bank of the Waal River. Where their attack stalls is the frontline for the next few months with static warfare not unlike WWI.

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By Joris

My name is Joris Nieuwint and please let me be your tour guide! As a local who has lived in the Operation Market Garden area for most of my life, this battle is now part of my DNA, and I have been studying it for almost 30 years. Since 2012 I have been active as a Battlefield Guide and over the years I’ve have taken many individuals, small and large groups, relatives of veterans, school groups, and military groups and staff rides on tours all through Europe. What began with guiding in the Operation Market Garden area has since expanded to include the Hürtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge and more.

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