Home > Europe > Belgium > Posters
The Battle of Arnhem. American Paratroopers say goodbye to an Army nurse at an airport
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Memory Lane
The Battle of Arnhem. American Paratroopers say goodbye to an Army nurse at an airport
The Battle of Arnhem. American Paratroopers say goodbye to an Army nurse at an airport somewhere in England before their take off for air invasion of Holland on Sunday 17th September 1944.
The Battle of Arnhem was a major battle of the Second World War at the vanguard of the Allied Operation Market Garden. It was fought in and around the Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel, and the surrounding countryside from 17 and 26 September 1944.
The Allies were poised to enter the Netherlands after sweeping through France and Belgium in the summer of 1944, after the Battle of Normandy. Market Garden was proposed by Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, who favoured a single thrust north over the branches of the Lower Rhine River, allowing the British Second Army to bypass the Siegfried Line and attack the Ruhr. Allied Airborne troops were dropped in the Netherlands to secure key bridges and towns along the Allied axis of advance. Farthest north, the British 1st Airborne Division landed at Arnhem to secure bridges across the Nederrijn, supported by men of the Glider Pilot Regiment and the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade. British XXX Corps were expected to reach the British airborne forces in two to three days.
The British airborne forces landed some distance from their objectives and were hampered by unexpected resistance. Only a small force was able to reach the Arnhem road bridge while the main body of the division was halted on the outskirts of the town. Meanwhile, XXX Corps was unable to advance north as quickly as anticipated and they failed to relieve the airborne troops according to schedule. After four days, the small British force at the bridge was overwhelmed and the rest of the division became trapped in a small pocket north of the river, where they could not be sufficiently reinforced by the Poles or XXX Corps when they arrived on the southern bank, nor by the RAFs resupply flights. After nine days of fighting, the shattered remains of the division were withdrawn in Operation Berlin. The Allies were unable to advance farther with no secure bridges over the Nederrijn, and the front line stabilised south of Arnhem. The British 1st Airborne Division lost nearly three quarters of its strength and did not see combat again.
Picture taken 17th September 1944
Crown Copyright
Mirrorpix
London
South East England
England
B/W Print
Media ID 21861504
© Mirrorpix
1944 Arnhem Combat Conversation Discussion Farewell Goodbye Nurse Nursing
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> Belgium
> Related Images
> Europe
> France
> Canton
> Allier
> Europe
> Netherlands
> Arnhem
> Europe
> Netherlands
> Posters
> Europe
> Netherlands
> Related Images
> Europe
> Netherlands
> Rivers
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Rivers
> Memory Lane Prints
> Mirror
> 1300to1399
> 01336
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this poignant photo print, we witness a heartfelt farewell between American paratroopers and an Army nurse at an airport in England. It is September 17th, 1944, and these brave soldiers are about to embark on a daring air invasion of Holland as part of the Battle of Arnhem during World War II. The Battle of Arnhem was a crucial operation within the larger Allied Operation Market Garden. The Allies had successfully advanced through France and Belgium after the Battle of Normandy, with hopes to enter the Netherlands. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery proposed Market Garden as a means to bypass the formidable Siegfried Line and strike at Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr. As part of this ambitious plan, airborne troops were dropped into key locations in the Netherlands to secure bridges along the Allied path. The British 1st Airborne Division landed near Arnhem with hopes to secure vital river crossings. However, unexpected resistance and delays from XXX Corps prevented their timely relief. Tragically, despite their valiant efforts over nine days of intense fighting, the British division suffered heavy losses and could not be sufficiently reinforced or resupplied. Ultimately forced to withdraw in Operation Berlin, they were unable to advance further due to lack of secure bridges over the Nederrijn river. This powerful image captures both hope and uncertainty as these American paratroopers bid farewell to an Army nurse before embarking on their perilous mission. It serves as a reminder of sacrifice made by countless individuals during one of history's most significant conflicts.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
