World War II vets final mission to Arnhem
SOUTH Yorkshire veterans of one of the most famous operations of World War Two have flown off to remember fallen comrades - for the last time.
Members of the Market-Garden Old Comrades Group were the real life heroes whose efforts to reach the Dutch town of Arnhem was recorded in the film A Bridge Too Far, which starred Sean Connery and Michael Caine.
They met up at Doncaster's Aeroventure Museum, to take a look at a Dakota aircraft like those that carried thousands of airborne troops to the battlefields, before flying off in a modern jet to mark the 65th anniversary of the start of the campaign on Thursday.
Organisers of the group say this year will be the last time they make the trip to Arnhem as their youngest members are well into their 80s.
The 13 veterans making the trip from South Yorkshire did not fight in the famous battle of Arnhem - they were in the supporting column of troops and tanks waiting to follow and make their way there when they bridges were taken.
Among the oldest making the journey back for this week's commemorations was 93-year-old Eric Gill, from Conisbrough, a veteran from the Kings Own Light Infantry.
He was among thousands of troops stranded between two rivers. But he later made it to Arnhem when the town was liberated in 1945.
He said: "I was one of the first troops to arrive in Arnhem and am proud to say I played a part in liberating the town.
"I've made three commemorative visits to honour my comrades who lost their lives during the war. On my last visit I was presented with a commemorative coin by a lady who was born in Arnhem on the day it was liberated, which was a lovely gesture."
Another member heading for the Netherlands is 84-year-old Fred Ford, from Bawtry. He joined the army as an apprentice at the age of 14 in May 1939.
He said: "Four months later, on September 3 1939, our Commandant got us into the games room and Neville Chamberlain did his historic broadcast.
"The Colonel switched off the radio and just said 'Some of you boys will be involved in this war, I wish you good luck and good hunting'.
"During the Market Garden Operation I was a craftsman in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, repairing vehicles and tanks and armoured cars and recovering broken down vehicles on the battlefield. I was actually Mentioned in Dispatches for bravery."
Lawrence Martin, from Sheffield, is now aged 86. He was part of the One Company Para Signals.
He said: " I was a driver in one of the signal trucks who were dispatched to assist our air force. The operation was made up of airborne men - which made up the Market - and overland troops who were the Garden part.
"I've been back several times to pay my respects. It brings back so many memories."
The organisers' group were awarded a National Lottery grant to pay for the trip.
OPERATION Market Garden saw British and American troops flown behind enemy lines to capture the eight bridges that spanned the network of canals and rivers on the Dutch-German border.
The idea was to provide a fast route into Germany and shorten the war.
Initially the operation was successful and several bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen were taken. But the ground force's advance was delayed by the demolition of a bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal at the town of Zon, delaying the capture of the main road bridge over the River Meuse until September 20.
At Arnhem the British First Airborne Division encountered far stronger resistance than anticipated.
In the ensuing battle a small force managed to hold one end of the Arnhem road bridge and after the ground forces failed to relieve them they were overrun on September 21.
The rest of the division, trapped in a small pocket west of the bridge, had to be evacuated on September 25.
The Allies failed to cross the Rhine, which remained a barrier to their advance until the offensives at Remagen, Oppenheim, Rees and Wesel in March 1945.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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