Page 88 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

The Battle of Arnhem - 17th-26th September 1944

The Battle was a famous WW2 battle fought in and around the Dutch towns of Arnhem,
Oosterbeck and surrounding countryside. After sweeping through France and Belgium
in
the summer of 1944, the Allies were poised to enter the Netherlands. Field Marshall
Montgomery (Monty) planned an invasion by parachute troops, but the men were soon
gunned down by the enemy troops and after nine days of fighting, the airborne forces were
withdrawn having lost an unacceptable number of dead and injured or taken prisoner.

With no secure bridges over the Nederrign, the Allies were unable to advance further and
the front line stabilised south of Arnhem. The 1st Airborne Division had lost nearly three-
quarters of its strength and did not see combat again.

Kentish Times - 13th October 1944
Back Home from Arnhem - Foots Cray soldier's experiences

Private Gordon Edward Douglas of the 1st Airborne Division, second son of Mr & Mrs
Douglas of 18 Garden Place, Foots Cray, has returned home after taking part in the epic
struggle at Arnham. Attached to the crew of a 17 pounder gun, he was transported to
Holland in a glider in the first wave of troops. They had a good landing, exactly on the spot
intended, with several hundred other gliders in the same field.

In a few moments the gun was wheeled out of the glider and set up in its position facing the
road to the Rhine to ward off enemy tank attacks from that direction. It was only after
about 30 minutes that German/ SS Troops became active and many were soon taken
prisoner and held in cages formed by the crashed gliders.

The Germans then began heavy mortar and 88 mm gunfire, which they kept up throughout
the days that followed. "The sniping was such that you could not put your head out too
far" said Private Douglas to a Kentish Times representative. The German prisoners
received a full share of their own fire "but they soon dug themselves holes and kept out of
it.

The enemy had such a hot reception in one of his attacks that afterwards he had the
greatest respect for the "red devils" heavy fire power and preferred to keep well off. At first
our men were troubled by enemy fire activity but later received considerable support from
Typhoons. When at last the order came to evacuate the positions, things looked pretty
bad", said Private Douglas. He had had no official food rations for three days. They were
told to clothe as lightly as possible and if they had no plimsolls, to tie socks round their
boots. Passing through enemy lines they followed parachute cords, stretched out to show
them the way. "Jerry had twigged that there was something going on", said Private
Douglas, "and was firing Verey lights. Then he let go with his mortars and several of my
party were wounded."

After waiting at the beach they were finally taken across the river by rowing boat under fire.
Some of the men swam across. Once behind our lines they were quickly brought home by
air. Private Douglas was full of praise for the German Red Cross. He said British and
German doctors worked in the closest co-operation and was sure that the wounded who
were left behind would be well treated. By co-incidence, the rear gunner of the towing
plane came from Northcote Road, Sidcup.

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