Soldiers from eight NATO countries reenact airborne drop in tribute to the historic military operation.
This Saturday, in a remarkable display of military heritage, paratroopers from eight NATO countries, including the UK, USA, Portugal, and Spain, parachuted into Ginkel Heath, a nature reserve near Ede in the Netherlands. This jump marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, part of the ambitious Operation Market Garden during World War II.
Around 700 paratroopers participated in the drop, including the British Army’s renowned Red Devils, a freefall parachute display team. The event serves as a tribute to the Allied airborne troops who landed in Nazi-occupied Netherlands in September 1944, in a bid to create a route for Allied forces into northern Germany.
During the battle, 1,900 paratroopers from the UK’s 4th Parachute Brigade joined forces with land troops to secure key bridges, but the operation faced significant setbacks. The drop zones were located about nine miles from the vital Arnhem bridge, giving the German forces time to fortify their defences and build blockades. While cities like Eindhoven and Nijmegen were captured, the mission’s primary objective—to seize the bridge at Arnhem—failed. The ensuing battle led to nine days of intense street fighting, with the order to withdraw issued on September 25. Over 8,000 British soldiers were either killed, missing, or captured.
Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute to the veterans, stating: “Today we honour the veterans of Arnhem, and we honour those who fought and died to help liberate our allies. Eighty years on, we remember the huge price paid for our freedom and commit to defending peace and security today.”
A memorial service at the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery will be held on Sunday, with Princess Royal in attendance, representing the King, alongside WWII veterans and senior UK defence officials.
