On September 17th, 1944, General Montgomery's army launched the Battle of Arnhem, a bold attempt to capture a strategic bridgehead over the lower Rhine. Poor planning and unexpectedly fierce resistance caused the allies to withdraw after ten days of bitter fighting and heavy casualties. In spite of the losses, the Dutch viewed the battle as a positive sign of strong allied resistance on their own territory and the beginning of the end of the detested German occupation.

This vignette depicts members of the British 1st Airborne Division ("Red Devils") defending a patch of Arnhem during 1944. Comes with red brick diorama base. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Approximate Height: 1-1/2 to 2 inches

Historical Account: "Grabner's Attack" - Early in the day, the 9th SS Reconnaissance Battalion, sent south the day before, concluded it was not needed in Nijmegen and returned to Arnhem. Though aware of the British troops at the bridge, it attempted to cross by force and was beaten back with heavy losses, including its commanding officer, SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Paul Grabner.

By the end of the day, the 1st and 3rd Parachute Battalions had entered Arnhem and were within a mile of the bridge with approximately 200 men, one-sixth their original strength. Most of the officers and non-comissioned officers had become casualties. The Second Lift, delayed by fog and jumping onto a heavily disputed landing zone, landed a full strength Brigade (The 4th Parachute Brigade, consisting of the 10th, 11th and 156th Battalions of the Parachute Regiment, commanded by then-Brigadier, later General Sir John Winthrop Hackett) and C and D Companies of the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment.