WIESBADEN, Germany – Approximately 100 U.S. Army Soldiers from European-based units and two contiguous U.S.-based units participated in commemorative events honoring the 81st anniversary of Operation Market Garden in several cities in the Netherlands, Sept. 15-22.
U.S. Army Soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) participated, led or attended commemoration ceremonies that spanned historic sites and cities throughout their adoptive home of Holland.
Operation Market Garden was conducted by Allied powers during World War II from Sept. 17-27, 1944, and is considered the largest airborne operation in history, with more than 41,000 Allied jumpers being dropped into the Netherlands to occupy bridges until land forces arrived. Its intent was to open a liberation route into northern Germany, and it was split into two phases. Phase one, known as Market, used U.S. and British airborne forces to seize nine bridges. Phase two, known as Garden, used British land forces to further secure the bridges.
The 82nd played a pivotal role in WWII’s Operation Market Garden seizing objectives in and around Nijmegen, Netherlands, in September 1944. Dropping on Sept. 17, the division’s mission was to secure the Nijmegen Waal Bridge — a critical component for the advancing British XXX Corps.
Facing fierce resistance from a German force defending the bridge, the 82nd launched a series of intense assaults, including a daring daylight attack by the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, finally capturing the bridge on Sept. 20.
The 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) was assigned the most distant and arguably most challenging objective in Operation Market Garden — the capture of bridges over the Maas, Waal and Rhine rivers at Eindhoven, Veghel and Arnhem. The division swiftly secured Eindhoven and Veghel, achieving initial success in opening the main supply route for the advancing British ground forces, however, the furthest objective, Arnhem, proved unattainable for the British 1st Airborne Division.
Consequently, the 101st found itself tasked with defending a large, exposed corridor against increasingly fierce German counterattacks, particularly around the town of Elst. For nine days, the division fought a tenacious defensive battle, enduring heavy casualties and facing constant pressure.
“Our partnership with the Netherlands and our other Allies is demonstrated through events like this where we remember a common effort for freedom and the liberation of Europe,” said U.S. Army Brig Gen. Andrew Cecil, deputy commanding general for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “That’s as relevant today as it was back in World War II.”
The culminating event of the week was experienced during a massive airborne jump that took place Sept. 20, at Ginkelse Heide, in Ede, Gelderland, Netherlands, with approximately 700 paratroopers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“This annual event attracts airborne enthusiasts from across the globe and serves as a significant opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism and capabilities of the United States Army,” Cecil noted.
More images and videos of Operation Market Garden 81 commemorative events can be found on DVIDS.
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