More than 1,000 Parachutists Jump in Holland to Commemorate 'Operation Market Garden'

[DGUtley]

On September 17, 1944, the Allies undertook a bold but risky operation to establish a bridgehead over the Rhine River, opening the way into northern Germany. The operation was called "Market Garden" -- "Market" was the airborne assault while "Garden" was the ground operation. More than 20,000 men would parachute 60 miles behind the German lines. They were augmented by nearly 15,000 men in gliders. The goal of the airborne operation was to secure a series of nine bridges to allow British XXX Corp to race across the country and, theoretically, drive into northern Germany. The effort fell short -- a "bridge too far" -- which was the title of the book by Cornelius Ryan on the operation. While the Allies were able to seize most of the bridges, they failed to secure the last bridge over the Rhine in Arnhem. More than 15,000 of the airborne troops were killed or wounded.

On Sunday, more than 1,000 parachutists from the countries that participated in the operation 75 years ago commemorated the event by jumping into Holland.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/09...wii-operation/

https://pjmedia.com/trending/more-th...market-garden/







parachute.sized-770x415xt.jpg

[Peter1469]

It will be interesting to see if mass-attack airborne operations are feasible in the future. The last time was the French in Mali. I have heard that the planners want a light assault vehicle that can be dropped with the infantry. So the actual airborne drop is well away from the objective (and air defense).

[Common]

Alot of brave men gave their lives HEAR HEAR!!!!!!!!!!

[MisterVeritis]

It will be interesting to see if mass-attack airborne operations are feasible in the future. The last time was the French in Mali. I have heard that the planners want a light assault vehicle that can be dropped with the infantry. So the actual airborne drop is well away from the objective (and air defense).

I think the goal is a strategic or operational jump instead of a tactical jump.

Quickly moving light forces very long distances may make sense. Dropping them on a (defended) tactical target doesn't.

[Mister D]

Alot of brave men gave their lives HEAR HEAR!!!!!!!!!!

Partly because there were two veteran Waffen SS armored divisions refitting in the immediate Arnhem area that Allied intelligence either knew nothing about or decided to ignore.

[Mister D]

On September 17, 1944, the Allies undertook a bold but risky operation to establish a bridgehead over the Rhine River, opening the way into northern Germany. The operation was called "Market Garden" -- "Market" was the airborne assault while "Garden" was the ground operation. More than 20,000 men would parachute 60 miles behind the German lines. They were augmented by nearly 15,000 men in gliders. The goal of the airborne operation was to secure a series of nine bridges to allow British XXX Corp to race across the country and, theoretically, drive into northern Germany. The effort fell short -- a "bridge too far" -- which was the title of the book by Cornelius Ryan on the operation. While the Allies were able to seize most of the bridges, they failed to secure the last bridge over the Rhine in Arnhem. More than 15,000 of the airborne troops were killed or wounded.

On Sunday, more than 1,000 parachutists from the countries that participated in the operation 75 years ago commemorated the event by jumping into Holland.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/09...wii-operation/

https://pjmedia.com/trending/more-th...market-garden/







Attachment 26981

Cornelius Ryan was a great storyteller. A Bridge Too Far and The Last Battle are two of the best WW2 narratives I've ever read.

[Cletus]

Quickly moving light forces very long distances may make sense. Dropping them on a (defended) tactical target doesn't.

That has always been the case. You do a parachute insertion a few Klicks away from the target, then move to it. Only a fool would plan a drop right on the objective.

[MisterVeritis]

That has always been the case. You do a parachute insertion a few Klicks away from the target, then move to it. Only a fool would plan a drop right on the objective.

It is a good rule.

When I had a hand in emplacing Army special forces to gather intelligence for me I learned a few lessons about balancing safety, security, and logistics.