Operation Market Garden

Operation MARKET-GARDEN was an Allied operation of the Second World War,intended to seize bridges over the Maas, Waal and Rhine Rivers in the Netherlands. While the other river crossings were necessary prequisites for land-based forces to move forward, the Rhine bridges at Arnhem as the most critical target.

The name reflected two major sub-operations: MARKET was the actual parachute and glider landings by the three divisions (U.K. 1st Airborne Division, U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions) and one Polish brigade of the First Allied Airborne Army; GARDEN was the linkup by XXX Armored Corps. Unknown to the Allied command, a German armored corps had retreated into Arnhem to rest and recover from battle, creating a much stronger defense. The drop and landing zones were far enough from the actual bridges, in Arnhem, that they could not be reached in a single rush, as was Pegasus Bridge at the Battle of Normandy.

By every account, the British forces in Arnhem fought brilliantly, but from unfavorable positions against much stronger resistance than expected. Eventually, the 1st Airborne Division broke up, some units surrendering after fighting overwhelming odds, and other units and individuals managing to evade capture and reach friendly forces.