Taz
Busking Oracle
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I know that some of you are aware that I am an amateur military historian and my specialized area is Operation Market Garden.
On the 17th of September 1944, over 10,000 men were to be parachuted or flown by glider, to Holland, to drive a spear head through the German lines and into the heart of the Rhure, which was Germanys industrial area. Their job was to capture the three bridges at Arnhem, 60 miles behind enemy lines, and hold them for four days.
To cut a long story short, things did not go well. the Paratroopers were to be dropped into the area over three days. By day two, the Germans had the upper hand and were expecting the second drop! This meant that the British soldiers were targeted as soon as they jumped from the planes and hung helplessly in their parachutes. Many of the young men were killed or wounded as they landed. Some of those that lost their lives were listed as "Missing in action" as their bodies were never recovered. Until now that is!
On Monday, 68 years to the day, remains were found on one of the drop zones! The Dutch authorities are now going to start the difficult job of identifying the remains, then he will be given a proper burial alongside his comrades in the Common Wealth War Cemetery in Oosterbeek, where he will lie, with his name on his headstone, to be remembered forever!
The article if your interested in a bit of a read.
On the 17th of September 1944, over 10,000 men were to be parachuted or flown by glider, to Holland, to drive a spear head through the German lines and into the heart of the Rhure, which was Germanys industrial area. Their job was to capture the three bridges at Arnhem, 60 miles behind enemy lines, and hold them for four days.
To cut a long story short, things did not go well. the Paratroopers were to be dropped into the area over three days. By day two, the Germans had the upper hand and were expecting the second drop! This meant that the British soldiers were targeted as soon as they jumped from the planes and hung helplessly in their parachutes. Many of the young men were killed or wounded as they landed. Some of those that lost their lives were listed as "Missing in action" as their bodies were never recovered. Until now that is!
On Monday, 68 years to the day, remains were found on one of the drop zones! The Dutch authorities are now going to start the difficult job of identifying the remains, then he will be given a proper burial alongside his comrades in the Common Wealth War Cemetery in Oosterbeek, where he will lie, with his name on his headstone, to be remembered forever!
The article if your interested in a bit of a read.