Commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem
After the successful D-Day landings in Normandy, the Allies looked for a way to end the war in Europe as soon as possible. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery devised a plan to open a door into Germany via the Netherlands.
Code-named Operation 'Market Garden', the plan required airborne forces to capture key bridges in the cities of Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem. The British XXX Corps would advance from the south, over the captured bridges into Germany.
On 17 September 1944, 10,000 men of the British 1st Airborne Division landed 65 miles behind German lines, with the Polish Parachute Brigade later joining the battle. It was hoped the XXX Corps would reach them within two days.
While Eindhoven and Nijmegen were eventually liberated, progress was much slower than expected. The British and Polish airborne forces were cut off in Arnhem and the nearby villages of Oosterbeek on the north bank of the Rhine, and Driel on the south. Only the 2nd Battalion with supporting elements, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost, reached the all-important bridge.
Running low on ammunition and water, and with Lieutenant Colonel Frost badly wounded, the British forces at Arnhem Bridge were finally overrun after 3 days and 4 nights of heavy fighting. In Osterbeek, the remnants of the British 1st Airborne Division held out until 25 September, before withdrawing over the river.
This highly ambitious plan failed for many reasons, including adverse weather conditions and heavy German opposition. In all, 1,485 British and Polish airborne troops were killed or died of wounds, and 6,525 more became prisoners of war.
Though a costly failure, the operation today stands as a heroic feat of arms. As an indicator of the courage displayed by British forces, five Victoria Crosses were awarded, four of them posthumously.
Arnhem 80 Events
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Arnhem 80: Objects Behind the Battle
17 September to 27 September 2024
A unique opportunity to view one-of-a-kind objects from this historic battle up close and to learn how each item earned its place in history. From Lieutenant General Browning's hand-annotated orders to the uniforms and weapons used in the battle, these items are rarely on public display, and tell the true story of the Battle of Arnhem.
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IWM Presents: Theirs Is The Glory
21 September 2024
Enjoy a screening of a classic war film chronicling the Battle of Arnhem, Brian Desmond Hurst’s Theirs is the Glory.
With an introductory talk by Jon Baker, the curator of The Airborne Assault Museum, Theirs is the Glory offers a unique depiction of the events of Arnhem and includes footage of the battle captured by the British Army’s Film and Photographic Unit.
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IWM Lecture Day: Arnhem 80
28 September 2024
Hear four historians and subject experts tell the story of one of the most infamous military actions of the Battle of Arnhem.
Exploring topics from the story of the German-Jewish refugees who fought with the British 1st Airborne Division to how the Battle was captured on film, gain a deeper understanding of Arnhem with a full day of in-depth learning.
