September 17th 1944 | Operation Market Garden began. The British landing near Arnhem is met by heavy German resistance. The American 82nd Division captured its targets at Waals but met heavy resistance at Nijmegen. |
September 18th 1944 | A German counterattack stopped the Americans entering Nijmegen. The British landing zone near Arnhem was heavily attacked by Bittich’s SS in an effort to stop further British landings. |
September 19th 1944 | The leading elements of the British 30th Corps reached the Americans at Nijmegen but all efforts to break through to the British at Arnhem fail. |
September 20th 1944 | The bridge at Nijmegen was captured by a combined US/GB assault. |
September 21st 1944 | The British paratroopers defending the northern end of the bridge at Arnhem were heavily attacked. Those British troops who did not get through to Arnhem formed a defensive barrier west of Oosterbeek. |
September 22nd 1944 | The advance of British tanks to relieve Arnhem was delayed as a result of German attacks. |
September 23rd 1944 | Attempts by the Poles and troops of 30th Corps to cross the river at Arnhem failed. |
September 25th 1944 | The surviving British troops were evacuated but nearly 3000 were captured. Over 1,200 British troops were killed in a plan that went a ‘bridge too far.’ |