Divisional Headquarters

Abbreviations

2 I/C

7476

A/C

Adjt

ADMS

Adv

Airtps

A/L

Amn

Armd

Arty

Bde

Bty

Comd

Comn

CRA

CRE

Div

FOO

Fwd

Gds

GOC

GSO

HCR

Inf

Infm

Junc

L.O.

MDS

Med

Offr

'O' Group

Posn

RAMC

RASC

Regt

Resup

SDP

Sitrep

Sqn

Sup

TCC

Tks

Tps

Veh

X rds

Second in Command

Map Reference

Aircraft

Adjutant

Assistant Director Medical Services

Advance

HQ, 1st British Airborne Corps

Air Landing

Ammunition

Armoured

Artillery

Brigade

Brigade Major

Battalion

Bridge

Battery

Commander

Communication

Commander Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers

Division

Drop Zone

Forward Observation Officer

Forward

Guards

General Officer Commanding

Group

General Staff Officer

Household Cavalry Regiment

Heavy

Intelligence

Infantry

Information

Junction

Liaison

Liaison Officer

Light

Landing Zone

Main Dressing Station

Medium

Medical

Machine-Gun

Medical Officer

Motor Transport

Officer Commanding

Officer

Orders Group

Platoon

Position

Prisoner of War

Royal Artillery

Royal Army Medical Corps

Royal Army Service Corps

Road

Royal Engineers

Regiment

Resupply

Rendezvous

Railway

Supply Dropping Point

Situation Report

Self-Propelled

Squadron

Supply

Troop Carrier Command

Tanks

Troops

Vehicle

crossroads

1 Airborne Div Operation Instruction No.8 issued - Confirmatory Notes on Div Commander's Verbal Notes.

Amendment No.1 to 1 Airborne Div Operation Instruction No.8 issued - Operation 'FIFTEEN' (Seize and hold bridges over the MAAS CANAL, RIVER WAAL and NEDER RIJN).

1 Airborne Div Intelligence Summary No.22 with references to Operation 'COMET' issued.

Operation 'MARKET' (ARNHEM) - 1 Airborne Div Operation Instruction No.9 issued - Confirmatory Notes on GOC's Verbal Orders.

Operation 'MARKET' - 1 Airborne Div Operation Instruction No.10 issued - Additional Notes on Operation 'MARKET'.

Operation 'MARKET' - 1 Airborne Division Planning Intelligence Summary No.2 issued.

1015 - Pathfinder a/c took off from FAIRFORD for operation 'MARKET', followed by remainder of first lift from 38 and 46 Gp and IX T.C.C. Airfields.

1300 onwards - Landings of 1 Air Ldg Bde, Div H.Q. and Div Tps by glider started, followed by 1 Para Bde drop at 1440 hrs, both eminently successful on correct L.Zs. and D.Zs. Flak slight.

1900 - Operations proceeding according to plan; dispositions as in Trace 'A' attached. After dark Div H.Q. occupied empty gliders on adjoining L.Z. 'Z'.

0600 - During night operations developed according to plan. Bns of 1 Para Bde encountered stiff resistance on roads leading into ARNHEM. 7 K.O.S.B. not increasing opposition whilst making good their position to clear and hold 4 Para Bde's D.Z. 'Y'.

0700 - Div H.Q. moved to new location 665783 with a view to continuing movement EASTWARD along its axis. No comn so far established with 1 Para Bde or with G.O.C's. rover set.

0820 - Report received from 1 Air Ldg Bde that one Coy 1 Border was surrounded in RENKUM area 6276, but not in difficulties. Enemy also reported in HEELSUM 6477.

0900 - No information as to movements of G.O.C. Same time progress appeared to be slowing up and resistance very stiff in area OOSTERBEEK 7077 and NORTH of railway about LICHTENBEEK 7079.

0915 - Brig. Hicks, Comd, 1 Air Ldg Bde arrived Div H.Q. and assumed temporary command in absence of the G.O.C.

0945 - 2 S.Staffords ordered to reinforce 1 Para Bde and to assist their advance on the bridge at 7476.

1115 - Approx 20 M.E. 109 Fs. strafed the D.Z. and L.Z. area and set several gliders on fire.

1420 - 2 S.Staffords reported meeting strong opposition about 703783 and unable to continue {advancing along} main axis.

1430 - Acting Div Comd decided that remainder 2 S.Staffords coming on 2nd lift should reinforce the bn, which should then continue its allotted task; in addition, 11 Para Bn on arrival would support 2 S.Staffords by advancing along main axis as far as x rds 697784, thence to CHURCH 796773 and thence EASTWARDS to hospital 729780.

1500 - GSO 1 and GSO 3 left for 1 Air Ldg Bde HQ to explain above plan, thence to 7 KOSB and to DZ 'Y' where Comd 4 Para Bde, who had just dropped, was informed of the change of plan for 11 Para Bn. He decided, however, to adhere to his original plan for carrying out his task which remained substantially unchanged.

1500 - Infm received through Dutch Liaison Offr that two coys 2 Para Bn were in houses overlooking NORTH end of br 7476.

1515 - 4 Para Bde dropped and commenced move EAST. 11 Bn detached to relieve 1st Bde on br. 2nd lift landed successfully, though slight enemy opposition on DZ and increased flak in LZ area. Bde HQ 634821.

2330 - Offr from 2 S.Staffords reports they are out of touch with 1 and 3 Para bns, whose total strength is reported as being only 150 and under comd Lt. Col. DOBIE. GOC and Comd 1 Para Bde reported with 2 Para Bn near br 7476. Also that leading coys 2 S.Staffords were pinned area 734779 by MG fire from SOUTH bank of river.

0725 - GOC returns from 1 Para Bde - reported that Brig. LATHBURY, Comd 1 Para Bde, was wounded and being taken care of in a private house near br 7377.

0845 - CRA and GOC 1 visit 4 Para Bde, whose task for the day is to occupy high ground at KOEPEL 7179. Comd 4 Para Bde reports that 7 KOSB who had been directed on LICHTENBEEK 7079, had been unable to adv beyond rd about 701798 and had been withdrawn to JOHANNA HOEVE 6980. 156 Bn were about to attack LICHTENBEEK again with 10 Bn on their left directed on rd junc 703803. At this time 7 KOSB was under comd 4 Para Bde.

0900 - Recce and RA reports indicate enemy concentration in woods NORTH of LZ 'L', HEELSUM 6477, NOERDBERG 6476, DOORWERTH 6576 and RENKUM 6276.

1115 - 2 S.Staffords report they have reached 733781 but were being heavily mortared and shelled and had suffered cas.

1155 - Recce Sqn received report from civilian sources that 100 enemy Tks were arriving in ARNHEM from APELDOORN.

1215 - HQ RA report that a FOO was on NORTH end of br 7476 and that he had reports that 2 S.Staffords and 11 Bn were held up on rd at 733781.

1325 - Report from RA that remains of 2 and 3 Para Bns with HQ 1 Para Bde were established at NORTH end of br 7476 and that Lt. Col. FROST, OC 2 Para Bn was in comd.

1330 - GOC left, arrived 4 Para Bde 1400 hrs about pt 281, 682801 and informed Comd 4 Para Bde that 4 Para Bde less 11 Bn and 7 KOSB was to disengage, move inside the main divisional posn and to occupy a posn on the line rd and rly crossings 712784, 715780 and 712774, so as to protect the Div from attack from the EAST: later, if possible, 4 Para Bde should make contact with 11 Para Bn and occupy high ground NORTH of ry 7173. 4 Bde HQ now 674799.

1630 - Re-supply dropped on pre-arranged SDP 'V', which was in enemy hands. Yellow smoke, yellow triangles and every conceivable means were used to attract attention of pilots and got them to drop supplies within our lines; this had very limited success. Glider element of Polish Para Bde landed on LZ 'L' but was very heavily opposed from ground and air and suffered severe casualties.

1900 - 4 Para Bde report unable to disengage at 1925 hrs. Reported that they had moved SOUTH of ry and met further opposition there, which would prevent movement during darkness.

2215 - POW taken by 4 Para Bde reported possible attack by two coys about 0300 hrs.

2315 - H.Q. 1 A/L Bde report composition of force 2 S.Staffords area as being 11 Para Bn 150, 2 S.Staffords 100, Glider Pilots 30, 3 Para Bn 40, 1 Para Bn 116, also two F.O.Os.

2330 - 4 Para Bde able to move Bde H.Q. and 156 Bn to pre-arranged area, but out of touch with 10 Bn. G.O.C. removed to move.

0015 - Locations for 4 Para Bde as a result of the above move. Bde HQ and 156 Bn 682798, 10 Bn 670799.

0140 - Message received from Airborne Corps (Rear) asking for D.Z. for Polish Bde 20 Sep. D.Z. 'K' originally chosen not being possible, following D.Z. was chosen and sent - 686759 - 695761 - 697748 - 684746.

0820 - In touch with 1 Para Bde: Bde Major reported NORTH end of br hold; br still intact and covered by fire: reinforcements and surgical team urgently required. SOUTH end of br blocked by shot up enemy vehs: B.M. referred to Town Plan Map and indicated actual houses occupied. On G.O.C's. order B.M. 1 Para Bde informed that the only help he could expect was from the relieving force expected from the SOUTH.

0822 - 4 Para Bde report they are heavily opposed x rds 679784, whilst trying to move into main Div posn, but are trying to extricate themselves without committing their total force.

0925 - 1 Para Bde report they are being continuously attacked by tanks and the area is devastated.

PHANTOM receive report that the attack on NIJMEGEN is held up by a strong point SOUTH of the br, but that a further attack will be put in at 1300 hrs.

0930 - Heavy shelling and mortaring of whole Div posn really started with simultaneous attacks on Div H.Q. from EAST. 21 Indep Para Coy and 1 Border from WEST in addition to the action against 4 Para Bde, which was not completely involved.

1310 - Lt.-Col. Smyth and Major Warr, O.C. and 2 I/C 10 Para Bn, arrived Div H.Q. with 60 men, the total effective strength of their Bn. They reported that 4 Para Bde were surrounded but that they had been ordered to break through at all costs. G.O.C. ordered them to occupy a posn covering x rds 705783.

1315 - 1 Para Bde report following estimated casualties inflicted on enemy - 6 tks, 2 being Mk.IV's, 6 Armd Carriers, 1 Armd Car, 400 enemy killed or wounded and 140 POW's taken.

1405 - PHANTOM reports Guards Armd Div fighting in NIJMEGEN area trying to rush br.

1406 - Approx 70 a/c dropped sups through intense flak: limited success owing to small perimeter, despite efforts by every available man to collect.

1440 - 1 Para Bde asked for adv of our armour to be expedited, time when relief may be expected and any infm regarding arrival of Polish Para Bde.

1505 - Following Sitrep to Airtps - Enemy attacking main br in strength. Situation critical for 1 Para Bde. Enemy also attacking Div posn EAST from HEELSUM and WEST from ARNHEM. Situation serious but am forming close perimeter defence round HARTESTEIN 6978 with remainder of Div. Relief essential both areas earliest possible. Still retain control of ferry crossing HEVEADORP.

1545 - 1 Para Bde now report Lt. Col. FROST wounded; Major Gough, O.C. Recce Sqn in comd; the party can hold out till tomorrow.

1600 - PHANTOM reports advanced elements recce unit arrived area SOUTH bank of river.

1710 - 1 Para Bde report that it may not be possible for enemy to destroy main br; Fuses have been removed from NORTH end.

1800 - On the strength of PHANTOM report, G3 and Adjt RE despatched with Sitrep to get in touch with 30 Corps to assist their crossing of river.

1815 - 1 Air Ldg Bde report 11 Bn ordered to establish a post at 697777 and Glider Pilots at 696780.

1825 - 1 Para Bde report 4 Tiger Tks and one Recce crossed main br from NORTH to SOUTH at 1815 hrs.

1850 - Brig. Hackett, Comd 4 Para Bde, arrived Div HQ and reported 156 Bn approx strength 60 all ranks are on way to 697786 and composite Bde HQ Pl to 689784.

1930 - Activity against perimeter continuous and troublesome but no major penetration.

2400 - Message received from Airtps NIJMEGEN br captured intact and that armour is moving fast to the EAST. Div posns as at Trace 'D'.

0115 - Phantom received message Guards Armoured Div to go flat out at first light for brs at ARNHEM, 5 Gds Armd Bde loading.

0415 - Message to Airtps. Main rd br intact. South side held by enemy. North approaches held by us. Pontoon br not held by us. Details of defences not known. Ry br blown but NORTH approaches covered by us from NW.

0545 - Message to Airtps. Following area clear of tps. Any action may be taken ALL WEST of grid line 68, NORTH of grid line 80 as far EAST as rd junc 710800 thence EAST of grid line 71 as far SOUTH as ry cutting 710783 thence NORTH of ry until ry junc 758777. Enemy flak and gun defences on SOUTHERN approaches main br. Suggest close cooperation between tanks and air.

0625 - Sitrep to Airtps. Quiet night. Posns unchanged. Sup drop sufficient rations for one per 3 men. No reserve sten amn remainder limited but not unsatisfactory. Pot short.

0900 - GOC holds conference and reorganises Div into forces that under Brig. Hicks being responsible for the WEST side of the Div Area and that under Brig. Hackett for the EAST side -

Brig Hicks

1 Border

7 KOSB

4 Para Sqn

Elements 9 Fd Coy

Elements 1 Para Sqn

21 Indep Para Coy

Recce Sqn

Glider Pilots

Brig Hackett

10 Para Bn

156 Para Bn

Thompson Force (Lt Regt)

with details 2 S.Staffords and

Para units.

Lonsdale Force (4 Para Bn and

other 1 Para Bde details)

Fifty Glider Pilots

1005 - Attack on 1 Border posns considerable. Heavy mortaring and shelling of Div Area. Amn dump at Div HQ set on fire.

1230 - Heavy mortaring and shelling still continuing with attacks from various directions, frequently supported by SP guns or tanks, which caused temporary penetration.

1730 - Numerous targets, mainly attacks supported by SP guns, against our EAST flank, engaged and broken up by 64 Med Regt and Hy Bty.

1805 - 1 Airlanding Bde report that 7 KOSB have successfully counter-attacked and re-occupied their original positions, but strength now only 150 all ranks.

1820 - Div H.Q. subjected to severe mortaring again. Further dispersal of tps in the open arranged. Prospects of reinforcement by Polish Para Bde cheers tps. 200 POW in Div cage.

1840 - Eastern flank, particularly LONSDALE Force again attacked. Enemy reported again occupying M.D.S.

1905 - Hy attacks develops against 1 BORDER but most successfully dispersed by arty fire 100 yds in front of their positions.

2010 - 4 Para Bde report 10 Bn driven in but subsequently occupied 3 houses 699784.

2045 - 156 Bn report fwd positions still intact, hard fighting all day and have inflicted many casualties.

2130 - C.R.E. reports party have left to join THOMPSON Force and there prepare rafts to assist in crossing of Polish Bde, when arranged.

2144 - Sitrep to Airtps. No knowledge of elements of Div in ARNHEM for 24 hours. Balance Div in very tight perimeter. Heavy mortaring and M.G. fire followed by local attacks. Main nuisance SP guns. Our casualties heavy. Resources stretched to utmost. Relief within 24 hours vital.

2359 - Message from Airtps that undetermined number of A/C with Polish Bde abortive due to weather and did not drop.

0200 - 21 Indep Para Coy move from present location and came under comd Brig. Hackett in area astride main ARNHEM rd about 695780; position occupied by 0440 hrs.

0515 - Lt.-Col STEVENS, G.S.O.1(L), Polish Para Bde, arrived Div H.Q. and reports Bde H.Q. and two Bns landed SOUTH of river, but so far unable to cross.

0617 - Airtps report Gds Armd Div remaining present area. 43 Div taking up advance at first light 22 Sep and directed on OOSTERBEEK ferry.

0710 - LONSDALE Force report they are in good heart having repelled attack during the night.

0740 - Airtps report 43 Div ordered to take all risks to effect relief today and directed on ferry. If situation warrants you should withdraw to or cross the ferry.

1120 - Message from 2nd Army via PHANTOM. Intention 129 Bde right 214 Bde left to attack 1000. To join up with you. Patrol 2 HCR contacted Poles at 675745.

1335 - Message from Airtps result of Polish Para Bde drop. 53 A/C reached D.Z. 41 A/C abortive. 13 A/C missing. 3 A/C landed BRUSSELS.

1455 - 4 Bde report that enemy veh on main ARNHEM blown up by our mines killing all occupants.

1550 - G.O.C. makes arrangement on RT with Polish Para Bde for crossing this evening: R.V. 694769, expected that 150 men will get across.

2005 - Sitrep to Airtps. Perimeter unchanged. Posns heavily shelled and mortared during day. Minor attacks defeated. Some SP guns knocked out. Assistance given by supporting arty fwd Div. Intend ferry some Poles over tonight. Small attack direction ferry first light tomorrow. Morale high.

0355 - H.Q. R.A. report 50 Poles crossed by 0300 hrs and put under comd 1 Airldg Bde.

0742 - 4 Para Bde call for arty support, in front of Glider Pilots area 697787. Answered 0750 hrs. Lt. Grose returned to 4 Para Bde to take over remnants of 10 Bn.

0840 - 4 Para Bde report that 10 Bn have been forced to evacuate their houses. Glider Pilots about 697785 have been blasted from their houses by SP guns but are holding the gardens.

0945 - Sitrep to Airtps. Spasmodic shelling and mortaring during night. Movement of SP guns. Otherwise little change in perimeter. Several attacks by inf and SP guns or tks supported by extremely heavy mortaring and shelling are in progress on NORTH EAST of perimeter. 50 Poles ferried across river during night. Loading inf 43 Div have arrived SOUTH bank. Hope they will be able to cross under mist. Sup situation serious. Majority no rations last 24 hrs. Amn short - latter many be accompanying party from SOUTH.

1147 - 1 Airlanding Bde report that SOUTH Coy 1 Border reinforced by Poles have repelled attack but Polish casualties 50% of force. Chiefly from mortaring.

1300 - Comd, 4 Para Bde reports that a German officer approached him under a Red Cross flag and SP gun and threatened that unless our tps withdraw from houses in the vicinity of the MDS he would be forced to blow the MDS to pieces, but at 1330 hrs agreed not to do so provided we did not fire from the immediate vicinity of the Hospital. There were 30 Germans in the Hospital at this time.

1335 - 1 Border report enemy attack, strength estimated one Bn. Successfully repelled and one enemy tank knocked out.

1605 - Resup by air: very small quantity picked up. Snipers now severely curtailing movement and therefore collection. Also roads so blocked by falling trees, branches and houses that movement in jeeps virtually impossible. Jeeps in any case practically out of action.

2015 - Sitrep to Airtps. Many attacking during day by small parties, inf, SP guns and tanks including flame-thrower tks. Each attack accompanied by very heavy mortaring and shelling within Div perimeter. After many alarms and excursions the latter remains substantially unchanged, although very thinly held. Physical contact not yet made with those on SOUTH bank of river. Resup a flop, small quantities amn only gathered in. Still no food and all ranks extremely dirty owing to shortage of water. Morale still adequate, but continued heavy mortaring and shelling is having obvious effects. We shall hold out but at the same time hope for a brighter 24 hours ahead.

2345 - G.S.O.1 returned from visit to Polish Para Bde H.Q., Airtps and 43 Div H.Q. Div situation explained to General Browning and General Horrocks. Attended 'O' Group, Comd 130 Bde, where it was arranged that Polish Bde should cross tonight followed later by 130 Bde afternoon 24 Sep or night 24/25 Sep.

2359 - Div posns as on Trace 'F' except that remnants 10 Bn withdrew to houses astride x rds 696784.

0535 - Sitrep from 2 Army via PHANTOM. 214 Bde attacked 1700 hrs to clear ELST. 129 Bde held up by enemy; no change in locations. Intention 130 Bde will assault river during night using two bns in area 6876. R.E. will then build Class 40 br. 129 Bde on relief by 69 Bde under comd Gds Armd Div will cross into the bridgehead established by 130 Bde in area 6876. 214 Bde will clear and hold right flank on line from 7070 - 7076.

0620 - Polish L.O. arrives Div H.Q. and confirms than one Bn less H.Q. Coy is now across the river: Comd Polish Bde not across.

0707 - 200 Poles allotted to 4 Bde to reinforce N.E. perimeter; remainder under comd 1 Air Ldg Bde.

0710 - B.B.C. correspondent goes through German lines under Red Cross flag to fetch water for wounded. On returning reported that there were 150 German troops collecting in the hospital.

0740 - Brig. Hackett, Comd, 4 Para Bde, wounded. Lt.-Col. Murray, Comd, No.1 Wing, Glider Pilot Regt., assumes command of 4 Para Bde (HACKETT FORCE).

1527 - Report from 4 Para Bde that GERMANS threaten that unless we move clear of the M.D.S. they will shell it. G.O.C. orders stand fast.

1652 - A.D.M.S. at M.D.S. reports that Germans are evacuating our wounded to ARNHEM.

1900 - 21 Indep Para Coy report that Germans agree that provided we evacuate the house next to the M.D.S., they will remove their SP gun from the x rds beside the M.D.S. This was agreed locally.

1900 - A day of very heavy shelling and mortaring and desperate fighting on all sectors. Many attacks at first achieved some penetration, but the situation was almost always restored; and by nightfall the perimeter was substantially the same. Never was darkness more eagerly awaited. Shortness of serviceable weapons, particularly P.I.A.Ts. for dealing with tanks and SP guns, becoming a very serious handicap.

2225 - Airtps Rear report no sup by air possible owing to weather over the Channel.

0605 - C.R.E. arrives back from SOUTH bank with a letter from Comd, 43 Div for G.O.C. This letter explained that 2 Army plan was not now to form a bridgehead WEST of ARNHEM. 1 Airborne Div would withdraw SOUTH of the river by arrangement between Comds, 1 Airborne Div and 43 Div, when 1 Airborne Div could no longer hang on. The withdrawal would be known as Operation 'BERLIN'.

C.R.E. also confirmed that one Bn DORSETS and 3 Ducks had crossed the river 1000x WEST of our posn, but had not joined up with us.

0840 - L.O. from DORSETS arrived Div H.Q. and explained that two coys Dorsets were in approx area of Lt Regt and LONSDALE Force and two near the ferry WEST of our posn. The two parties were not in contact with each other nor had his party contact with his Bn H.Q. Location of the C.O. was unknown.

0940 - Maint Sitrep to Airtps Rear. No resup 24 Sep. Understand med stores, rations, some amn sent over river by ducks, but unable distribute owing to enemy action and lack of transport. No sups now for 3 days. Water still scarce. Gun amn now very low. Div effective strength approx 2500 excl Poles 120. Resup required 25 Sep as for 23 Sep.

1030 - Div Comd held conference of all Comds and gave out his orders for 'BERLIN'.

1800 - A quieter day than yesterday, despite several local attacks, one of which drove in 156 Bn. Infiltration, however, went on steadily and by evening the enemy was firmly established in wood 795777 and at other points inside the perimeter. Most units were therefore to some extent encircled and cut off from their neighbours.

2145 - First units to withdraw crossed starting lines on rd between rd junc 792774 and CHURCH 796774.

2200 - Crossing over river started covered by very heavy pre-arranged arty concentrations.

2230 - Last tps of Div H.Q. moved out. Wounded under the care of Lt. RANDALL, RAMC, MO to H.Q, R.A., were left in the cellars of Div H.Q. A.D.M.S., other M.Os. and Senior Chaplain remained with wounded in the M.D.S.

0530 - Ferrying across river ends. Approx 300 personnel left on NORTH bank. Arranged that boats should return the following evening for any survivors.

1200 - Evacuation of Div H.Q. to NIJMEGEN completed from R.V. at DRIEL, where 130 Bde issued tea and rum, food and one blanket per man.

1430 - G.O.C. held conference and issued orders re checking of personnel present, billeting, re-organizing and issue of clothing. Units ordered to make contact with seaborne lift, which had already arrived in NIJMEGEN.

1000 - G.O.C. held conference of all unit comds to report progress of re-organisation and possible evacuation by air from GRAVE.

1800 - G.S.O.1 held conference and issued orders for M.T. move to DIEST on 28 Sep.

2200 - Div moved and concentrated LOUVAIN instead of DIEST. Arrangements made to start movement by air of Div from BRUSSELS to U.K.

1700 - Div less Para Bdes and R.A.S.C. moved by air from BRUSSELS Airport to U.K.