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I was born and raised in Arnhem, eighty years ago the stage of a decisive battle during the unprecedented operation Market Garden in September 1944. Allied forces would secure a 64-mile salient from Belgium into The Netherlands, an open route into the German industrial heartland that would bring a quick end to the war in Europe. Market was the concurrent capture of six bridges at Son, Veghel, Grave, Nijmegen, and Arnhem by airborne troops, while Garden was the quick advance of armoured ground forces from Belgium to secure these bridges.
British and Polish airborne units were to capture the final bridge, at Arnhem. Little resistance was expected but unknown to the paratroopers, several battered but armoured German battalions had withdrawn near Arnhem to reorganise. These scrambled German forces prevented the capture of Arnhem bridge and blocked the allied ground forces advancing from Nijmegen. After nine days of intense fighting, the remaining men had to be evacuated from Arnhem. Ten thousand were dropped into the area, just over two thousand made it across the Rhine river back to friendly lines. Dutch resistance sheltered paratroopers who could avoid capture, until their rescue.
Market Garden stalled just a few miles short of the final objective. The Arnhem population was evacuated from the front-line city, and allied bombers destroyed the bridge to prevent it from being used in a counterattack on Nijmegen. During the battle and in the aftermath, Arnhem was ruined, and after the war it was even proposed to construct a “New Arnhem” elsewhere. But the population returned, and the city was resurrected. The bridge was rebuilt at the same location, and later designated a state monument named John Frost Bridge, honoring the commander and troops who held its northern end against overwhelming odds. Countless times have I crossed that bridge, a memento of the sacrifice it took to cross it in freedom.
Every year in September, commemoration events take place around Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Driel and Ede. I vividly remember the partaking combat veterans, their number dwindling over the years. Well-known in our country is the annual Airborne March, world's largest one-day commemorative march, attracting around 35,000 civilian and military participants. At the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, wreaths are placed during a solemn ceremony. Passing on the tradition, our children lay flowers at the almost eighteen hundred graves during the ceremony and place candles at the headstones at Christmas. Fifteen years ago, the German ambassador to The Netherlands was invited for the first time, to place a wreath at the bridge – an act of reconciliation.
Liberty is a precious gift that should not be taken for granted - it slips away when not cared for, only to be regained at unimaginable cost once lost. This is our debt and duty - to commemorate their sacrifice, and to protect our freedom.
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© 2002-2024 J.M. van der Veer (jmvdveer@xs4all.nl)
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