Description
Physical description
A metal souvenir ticket in the shape of a square with raised edges. The front has the logo of the British 1st Airborne Division, which is a Greek warrior mounted on a winged horse. In raised lettering on the reverse of the ticket are the words: "THIS SOUVENIR TICKET IS MADE OF METAL FROM ONE OF THE CRASHED GLIDERS WHICH CARRIED THE BRITISH 1ST. AIRBOURNE DIVISION INTO BATTLE ARNHEM ON SEPTEMBER 17TH 1944".
Label
The inscription refers to metal from one of the gliders which crashed at Arnhem. The airborne attack at Arnhem, by the British 1st Airborne Division, was part of a coordinated assault, code named Operation Market Garden. The Allies planned to seize bridges at Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem in The Netherlands. The third bridge would provide a crossing on The River Rhine - a significant natural obstacle. A column of armoured vehicles would advance rapidly along the road to relieve the airborne troops. The bridges were captured intact by the paratroopers and glider borne troops. The bridge at Arnhem was held by men of the Parachute Regiment, who became surrounded by German troops. They were compelled to surrender after three days and four nights of increasingly ferocious attacks.
History note
This is an example of one of the souvenir tickets produced for one of the premiere screenings (which occurred simultaneously, on the 17th September, 1946), in Arnhem, Ottawa and London, of the film "Theirs is The Glory". The film was a remarkable account of the Battle of Arnhem. The production was shot with veterans, who had fought there, as well as Dutch civilians, who helped the British forces, rather than actors.
Embossed on reverse
THIS SOUVENIR TICKET
IS MADE OF METAL
FROM ONE OF THE
CRASHED GLIDERS WHICH
CARRIED THE BRITISH
1ST. AIRBORNE DIVISION
INTO BATTLE AT
ARNHEM
ON SEPTEMBER 17TH 1944