The Forgotten Paratroopers of Operation Market Garden

The Polish Paratroopers under the leadership of Major-General Stanisław Sosabowski would jump into the fight at Arnhem on the 21st September 1944. Their story is often forgotten as part of the wider Operation Market Garden action.
This is my tribute to the men of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade and their role in Operation Market Garden.
#operationmarketgarden #paratroopers #poland #polish #polisharmy #dday #ww2history #ww2 #airborne
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[@grahamwalker2312]

I had the privilege of knowing one of the Polish Brigade. His name was Joseph Gwizdack (hope I've spelt Joe's surname correctly). I knew him in his later years when he became the partner of my widowed mum-in-law. Like so many of the Polish people he was a kind and generous, hardworking man. His story, as a teenager, of being evicted from their land and enslaved by Russian forces in 1939, who occupied Poland east of the Vistula was one shared by many Poles. He and his family were taken to Siberia and there he was set to work as a lumberjack. There was a brief period of grace after Germany declared war on the USSR, when he and his countrymen were released and allowed to go to Iran. He walked some 2000 miles to get there and I heard that as a result his mother was buried by the Caspian Sea. He was taken to Scotland and joined the Polish Brigade. Joe revered General Sosabowski and was a proud soldier to the end of his life. He routinely attended cenotaph remembrance services, in Halifax, West Yorkshire. He was active in the Polish Branch of the British Legion. When he spoke about the drop into Driel, there was a sense of his frustration, the brigade was effectively been dropped into a hornets nest. He described it as the the worst of times and the toll taken on the brigade and his comrades. He and my mum-in-law were invited by the Dutch government to visit, tour the sites and he and his surviving comrades be honoured by the Dutch people. It was said it helped him, in part, come to terms with some of his combat experiences., which had left deep scares within him. He died aged 85. There was a quite lengthy obituary in the local newspaper about him describing his life entitled "Proud Soldier". If there was one aspect of Joe's life, that was almost tangible, above all else, it was his desire that his homeland would become a free democratic nation liberated from the influence of the USSR.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for sharing that! Incredible to think of what those men achieved and just how poorly they were treated post war and how their country suffered under Soviet rule.

[@andrzejplocki6438]

My father’s story was very similar, except that as he was cavalry he ended up in armour in North Africa. I’m glad Joseph lived to tell his tale, and that he met people that he could share his story with.

[@robertthomas3777]

Men of men. Lest we forget. 🇦🇺🦘👍

[@jedrek4444]

Beautiful story! It would be good if the Mayor of Alkmaar could see it. that Poles are not just cattle who must leave "her" city by 6 p.m. Thank you for this beautiful piece of history.

[@tonymak9213]

grahamwalker2312...my dad too had a similar tale to tell. He was taken from his bed aged 16/17, and sent to a work camp somewhere in Russia, possibly Siberia. Then released after Russia became allies and walked to the coast, obtaining passage to Scotland, being trained as a paratrooper, and taking part in the Arnhem operation. Only now am I finding out details he never shared, perhaps the memories were too painful, he never found out if his family survived the war. He also felt unable to return to his former home, since it was behind the iron curtain, and now known as Belarus. Strangely enough, just as I finish watching this video, my sister has sent me a copy of a note he wrote, I've never seen it before, nor even knew of its existence. I was in action in Arnhem we were trying to cross the river rine(sic) to help the British Troops to hold the enemy were shelling us there was a big flash I was blown off the road when I came round I found myself tangled in barbed wire not able to remember what happened after the flash No punctuation whatsoever, but dad's English was quite good considering he'd picked it up. This may have been copied out by my niece, nontheless, it does indicate he was in the action there. Btw, he also settled in Yorkshire, in Leeds.

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

When I was stationed in Rheindahlen in the 80s, I went to Arnheim to walk the ground. Having been in the 82d Airborne Division it meant a lot to me. I am also 1/2 Polish on my Mother's side of the family and really explored the areas the Poles parachuted in. Polich valor is never questioned.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I bet that was an amazing trip! While I don’t have any family ties to Poland to see how the locals at Driel remember those young lads and how genuine it all is was extremely moving and my levels of respect for what the Polish achieved during the war and what they went on to suffer thanks to shameful politicians post war has really opened my eyes!

[@alantoon5708]

General Sosabowski was one of the most tragic figures of the war.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

And such a brave and gallant man at the same time. His treatment post Market Garden was abhorrent although fairly typical of politicians sadly.

[@firstcitytraveler]

Thank you. Finally, the story of the First Polish Airborne Brigade has been told by far the best WW2 storyteller. Thank you, Jon for all your work in telling these stories.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it helps to elevate these incredible men and show how the wonderful people of Driel still commemorate them so passionately 79 years after it all took place!

[@RobJones262]

I don't think we could ever thank the Dutch people enough for the never ending kindness and respect they show for the allied forces. My Dad fought through the Nederlands with XII corp and he always said the Dutch were such wonderful people. Great to see the Poles are remembered in a big way out there. Cheers for another wonderful video ;)

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Agreed. Their generosity even at a time when they had little was overwhelming from what I’ve read and still to this day they are a lovely people. The remembrance and attitude toward it is the most genuine I’ve experienced anywhere in Europe.

[@only1dutchgirl]

We owe them our freedom. It's as simple as that. They gave their lives so we can live in freedom. We are forever grateful.

[@jnairac]

​@@only1dutchgirlvisit Ijsselsteijn ..look up sept 1944...might be prettyfew Dutch SS names there too. History right there.Told by a Para at Arnhem. True fact too

[@suepalin9202]

Excellent video, Jon, about these brave Polish Paras. It's very moving to see how much the residents of Driel continue to honour the Poles who died for the liberation of the town and then for the freedom of The Netherlands.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Its a wonderful town that doesn’t get enough coverage and I was totally captivated by how they remember their liberators there. It’s incredible and the most genuine sense of commemoration and respect I’ve found at any former ww2 battlefield.

[@simonrooney7942]

And British repaid Poland by shafting them to appease Stalin

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@simonrooney7942 No they didnt. Stalin assured Churchill the Soviets wouldn't remain. Nothing Britain could do about it anyway.

[@bigwoody4704]

Absolutely they did - thru both the Czechs and Poles to the Dogs. They come screaming to the USA when They were being "evacuated" from: Norway,Netherlands, Belgium and France,Dunkirk in 1940 -Greece, Crete,Hong Kong and Libya in 1941 -Tobruk and Dieppe,Singapore in 1942

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

Thank you for this video. As a teenager in the 1960s in London UK, i met several of the Polish paras who were political exiles, as was my father. They were members of the Polish community in SE London. They were bitter in their criticism of the British High Command, considering Boy Browning arrogant and dangerously incompetent

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I am ashamed of how the politicians treated Sosabowski and slandered the Polish Paratroopers after the war. It should never have happened when Poland had already sacrificed so much. And I completely agree about Browning. The man was an arse.

[@andrzejplocki6438]

The way the Poles were treated after the war was utterly shameful. My Father never got over the fact that there were no Poles at the VE parade. Despite them having fought on EVERY front in WWII

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

@@andrzejplocki6438 The UK government of the time kow- towed to Stalin. The Red Army in central Eastern Europe was over 12 million strong and ordinary western Allied soldiers wanted to go home and did not want any confrontation with the USSR which had taken on the bulk of the land war in Europe. That 1946 victory parade was a gross injustice to the Polish Armed Forces in the West who fought under British command, unlike the Free French who fought under US command.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Sosabowski was stubborn, arrogant and not a team player. Even Horrocks found him unbearable in his attitude.

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

@@lyndoncmp5751 Sosabowski was a professional , hard nosed soldier who fought for his paras and stood up to the nonsense spouted in particular by the incompetent and arrogant Browning. The Polish Armed Forces in the West were, unfortunately, under British and not American command. Thus they were subject to the manipulations, perfidy and downright dishonesty of the British military establishment. The latter was always looking for excuses and scapegoats for its own incompetence. Unknown to the Poles at that time, September 1944, they had already been "sold down the river" by the British government and military to Stalin's Russia, a full year earlier at Tehran and confirmed at all later conferences in secret agreements. The Poles, in effect, were treated as useful cannon fodder.

[@brianaustin8989]

I went to Arnhem in 2003,with my partners brother who was 83 at the time and his son.When the locals heard of his connection to the fight for the bridges, they treated him with total reverance in as much as they refused any payment for him, on anything we offered payment for. This was of course gradually coming to an end, as the vets passed on. They told us that some vistors tried to trade on this, but they were cute enough to see by the age of the person as to whether he could have been their at the time.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The Dutch are wonderful people and we did see one veteran there in Oosterbeek and he received the rock star treatment which was great to see!

[@troykauffman3963]

Outstanding, great to learn about the Polish Airborne brigade during Operation Market Garden. I had the honor of visiting that area last year. 🫡 to all the Airborne paratroopers that served in Operation Market Garden, your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇵🇱

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They were very brave men who sadly thanks to political weakness were screwed over post war, something none of them deserved. However that aside it’s wonderful to see how the people of Driel and the Netherlands remember these men

[@fryfrysk]

In general all 240.000 polish servicemen serving during WWII, got almost no attention or recognition after the war. Shortly after the war , dutch Queen Wilhelmina wanted to award general Sosabowsky the hightest military honery medal- the Militaire Willemsorde ( MWO) but this was surpressed by the british at that time. It took untill 2004 initiated by pressure of public opinion after a TV-documentary about the Polish Brigade as well from the House of Commons ( De Tweede Kamer ) that Queen Beatrix granted the MWO . As general Sosabowski already had died ( in London, where he did not receive a polish - occupied by russia - or british pension - just small dutch allowance - and worked as a factory worker untill his 75th ) , the MWO. it was awarded to the 1st Polish Independent Paratrooper Brigade as a whole, while general Sosabowski received the order of the Bronze Lion ( bravery medal ) postumously. In 2006 during an military ceremony at the innercourt of the Houses of Parliament at the Hague, Queen Beatrix handed the Bronze Lion over to general Sosabowski grandsons Stanislaw and Michal, while the MWO was attached by her to the banner of the 6th Polish airborne Brigade, the successor of the 1st Polish Independent Paratrooper Brigade. General Sosabowski Medal of the bronze Lion can be seen at the Hartenstein museum at Oosterbeek , the former HQ of general Urquehart of 1st Airborne, who als received this medal for bravery by the Queen. British top-commanders Montgomery and Browning , both responsible for the failure of Market Garden, did not receive this dutch medal of bravery. British historian Anthony Beevor called Market Garden a badly planned; poorly thought out and even amateurish operation . - Urquhart blamed Browning for not mentioning both recovering german Armoured SS-Divisions near Arnhem as well for the 3 day delay at Nijmegen bridge ( to protect Brownings HQ at Nijmegen and take defensive position toward the opposite Reichswald ) therby not alowing the 82 Airborne to take the bridge on arrival loosing valuable time before crossing this - not blown by the germans - Nijmegen bridge at 15 miles from the Arnhem bridge. -The british blamed the Polish for not attacking on arrival and taking up defensive positions . -The Polish the British to place blame - The Americans blamed the British XXX corps for its slow progress and Browning for loosing 3 days at Nijmegen.

[@aprylrittenhouse4562]

I agree completely. Beever had it completely right

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Thank you for posting this. Yes the Polish servicemen were badly treated by the British Military and British government, even after the war. I believe this part of history should be remembered.

[@brianperry]

Many years ago as a young boy l delivered an evening newspaper to an address whose occupant was a veteran of the Arnhem campaign ...(l had no idea at that time).. His name was Peter Robinson DCM.. a Sergeant Grenadier guards tank commander at the bridge at Nijmegen his tank, a Sherman Firefly knock out an anti tank gun , after being hit twice...he was with Peter (Lord) Carrington at the battle. Years latter l read in a local paper that he had been an adviser for the film 'Bridge to Far'...Like most veterans of war he just came home and got on with the rest of his life... Great story of a bravely fought but tragic battle..

[@33rdusa]

Another outstanding video of an often-overlooked action. The memorials you show are quite poignant. History lives in those places. Polish fighters deserve highest accolades for bravery. I remember seeing the thousand Polish graves at their cemetery at Monte Cassino. If I could make one recommendation it would be to leave the biographical information on the soldiers up a few seconds longer. You provide a lot of fascinating details there.

[@orwellboy1958]

Thanks for another great production. You have reinforced my own views on Boy Browning and on the foresight of Sosabowski, I didn't know of Sosabowski's back ground. I briefly worked with a guy back in the 1980s who was a Para trapped in Oosterbeek, he was part of the rear guard and ended up swimming The Rhine. Before he past away, I got him to sign my book of A Bridge To Far. RIP Gorden.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow, I bet he had some stories to tell about his wartime service! Lucky he made it back across the river!

[@markwroblewski3821]

My Dad was there, thank you for taking your time to do this. I will revisit in 2024

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I hope you have a great trip back there next year!

[@geraldflinchum3729]

excellent documentary, thank you very much!

[@andykowalczyk5598]

Thank you for remembering us.

[@afewminutesofhistory]

Superb as always mate. Always learning new things about Arnhem/Market Garden, it’s an ever evolving battle still to this day

[@yveaux500]

Informing, interesting and well researched as always. Nice how you incorperated some footage of the Market Garden commemoration paradrops at Ginkel Heath.

[@ronti2492]

Great video sir, thankyou for giving the Sosabowski and his Poles the credit they deserve! Walking around the Oosterbeek pocket is well worth it- what is readily apparent is how the land rises steeply and is partly wooded...and provides a defensive perimeter ( of sorts) for light infantry to defend agianst armour ( to a point). Heroes all.

[@bettylaselli2048]

The content on your channel is amazing! Excellent!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps to highlight the fight of these incredibly brave men!

[@h0use48]

Excellent Jon video thank you. Your videos have become a must see then you drop them. Keep up the great work. 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it goes some way to elevating the stories of these incredibly brave men who were treated so poorly by the Western Allies, especially the British post WW2.

[@jeanineking7311]

Fascinating and very well done. Thank you

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@maartendezwaan9715]

Awesome episode Jon, thank you! Keep 'em coming :)

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I still can’t get over how respectful and grateful the Dutch people and how the memory is kept alive there. It was very touching to see!

[@zitabennett6831]

Thank for highlighting the important part that the Polish Paras took in liberating the Dutch people from The Nazi grip. Th Dutch people suffered badly. Lest we forget.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They were incredibly brave men treated so poorly by the west after the war which was disgraceful. It was so nice to see how the people of Driel remember them!

[@novakradakovic4752]

Thank you for sharing. Never forget and never forgotten.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@gillianshort9125]

Excellent video Jon. It is an aspect of MG that I was not familiar with. When visiting the area the concentration was on 30 Corps. I’m always very impressed by the way the Dutch remember. The plaque in the Hartenstein Hotel on it’s own is very moving.

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi Jon Thanks for sharing your interesting story about a relatively unknown aspect of the battle for Arnhem ❤😊

[@richardyoder3646]

Another outstanding one jon.keep them coming

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@realpatriot1553]

Thank you for your work

[@WW2Wayfinder]

No problem. Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@bryanevans350]

Thank you I have always been intrigued by the paras

[@mistifyme999]

Really informative and moving tribute to those Polish forces, thank you

[@AT-ni4sf]

Great great content👏👏👏Also just watched the episode about JV44. Really interesting and informative. You explain in a good way. Love your channel. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Denmark.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps to give credit to those young Polish lads who jumped into the cauldron that was Arnhem! Glad you enjoyed the JV44 episode too!

[@stevevalley2784]

Its nice to see a video bringing attention to the Polish paratroopers in Operation Market Garden & to see the area. Thanks Jon! Like your cap!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

No worries, I had planned to film elsewhere but after staying in Driel it felt right to cover the Polish effort and highlight their role. The cap was from a stall at Ginkel Heath on the day of the mass drops and couldn’t resist it!

[@matthewaves255]

Great job as ever

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@25046106]

Another excellent video, thank you. Real heroes. I visited Arnhem with my mother in 2019. Her father took part in Market Garden, which we only found out about in 2016 (he died in the 1950s). The only story we know about him being there was that at some point he had to swim across a river, to get away from the Germans, so that part of the video was very close to home

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Graham, I’m glad you enjoyed it and I hope the video was able to give you a good idea of where he would have fought during those days in September 1944. You would be able to contact the Army Records Office in Glasgow if you wanted to know more about your Grandfathers service. The link to the .gov website is www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service

[@25046106]

@@WW2Wayfinder Thank you for the link, much appreciated. We did that a number of years ago, took over three years to receive the docs but well worth the wait. It's fascinating and detailed about some of his service, but sadly much like my own 'red book' it has quite a few holes in it, with some big things missing. He was at Dunkirk, then Tank Corps in North Africa. He allegedly asked to be transferred out of the tanks after Africa due to not wanting to come up against the superior German tanks again. From there he went Italy and then we were told by his cousin he was part of Market Garden, we believe as part of XXX Corps Thanks again so much for the videos, very much looking forward to any in Italy

[@rgk7293]

Nicolas Kuczynski and he was part of the 1st Polish Parachute Brygade, he fought in the Battle of Arnhem, Operation Market Garden, I have his Paratrooper ID, the eagle plummeting with the laurel wreath in its legs

[@akashvankessel1249]

Thanks a lot for the his excellent video. I live in the Netherlands and only a couple of weeks ago i was searching YT for information about the Polish Brigade at Driel. I didn't find much and now here you are with this excellent, heartfelt contribution. This is what i was looking for. Planning to visit Driel soon. Keep up the great work! 🎉🙏💖

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I loved Driel and could have spent a lot longer there but sadly only had two days but I was really humbled by the way in which the locals remember the events of September 1944! Hope you have a great trip when you go back there!

[@akashvankessel1249]

@@WW2Wayfinder Thanks a lot. Maybe I do a small video myself when I am there. de fo gonna visit the places you showed.

[@samjackson884]

Nice work as usual.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Thank you for posting this. The 1st (Polish) Independent Parachute Brigade trained in my home are of East Fife in Scotland in Upper Largo. They are remembered fondly here and not forgotten.

[@adamszeliga7211]

A beautifully made film. Great narrative and, above all, knowledge of the topic of Operation Market Garden. Thank you for remembering General Sosabowski and his boys! 

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! the Polish paratroopers story is an incredible one betset with tradgey given what was occuring in Warsaw at the same time.

[@adamszeliga7211]

@@WW2Wayfinder kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYPViWx4o6iKmJYsi=TAF7rjEF3Ggh_W78

[@Blitz9H]

Thank you for remembering these brave freedom fighters. I had read in one tome, about Market Garden, that the Polish Paras had been promised at one time that they could drop into Warsaw. I have had the honor of chatting with General Sosabowski’s grandson on Facebook. Brilliant and humble man himself.

[@kalkol21]

Originally 1 Parachute brigade was dedicated for fight in possibly Polish uprising. 1 of August 1944 the uprising was started but British not allowed to fly. Mutiny was extinguished by the personal authority of gen Sosabowski.

[@Blitz9H]

@@kalkol21 Thank you! Excellent knowledge. I sincerely appreciate this.

[@normannokes9513]

I understand Stalin would have frustrated any effort by the Polish to reinforce Warsaw. The monster walled on internal Warsaw forces in revolt giving the impression the Russian forces would provide support. He knew superior German forces would overcome the resistance removing any who might resent Russian occupation which was inevitable

[@Blitz9H]

@@normannokes9513 That’s what I have read as well, and that is my understanding as well. Such difficult and heartbreaking times.

[@kalkol21]

​@@normannokes9513not only he. British also don't want to lose such unit. A special close to "Market-Garden" operation... 20% of "Cichociemni" was from thit unit. Every "Cichociemny" was partly based on Sosabowski method.

[@mazury450]

Good presentation, thank you.

[@aprylrittenhouse4562]

Thank you❤ I can't travel there myself but I can see these places thanks to people like you

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. Glad I’m able to bring these places to you through KZbin 😃

[@njpieniazek]

An excellent feature of the WW2 Wayfinder.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@rafarazniewski6154]

Dziękuję za materiał, zachęcam do zapoznania się z historią damskiego roweru i gen. Sosabowskiego.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ll see what I can find!

[@clementaut7287]

Really great video !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@mikehall5815]

I never knew anything about the Polish in operation Market Garden. Thank you for this important history lesson. I bet staying at that bed-and-breakfast you can feel the history oozing out of those walls! Here in the States they don't teach you anything about the Polish military contribution to the war effort in World War II. At least the schools I learn history from when I was growing up. Thanks again, can't wait to the next video.

[@marzenanikiel4288]

And here is another unknown detail of the Polish contribution to victory in World War II. The true story of breaking the Enigma - Sir Dermot Turing kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnSpoWpuqdeti5o

[@henrikmelder379]

fantastic work, my grandpa was with them and he never said a word about it. He passed in 1980

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I highly recommend going if you’re able to. It’s a truly wonderful place.

[@henrikmelder379]

oh I was in the army for many years and was there back in 1986 and 87. I was airborne to

[@KellyJones-be9kn]

Thank you sir. You are a perfect gentleman

[@johnmullins6037]

Thanks for this! I liked the movie. With only 3 hours it doesn't give you the full story. Thanks for the history. I live in the US and grew up in coal mining country so we had a large number of Poles in the population. Great history report

[@Nperez1986]

As a history fan and prior member of the 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne this is amazing! Op Market Garden was the first opertaion in detail I learned as a kid (Thanks to the game A Bridge Too Far). While in the 101st ABN I was dissappointed that our Division was not celebrating the 75th anniversary of Op Market Garden in Sept 2019...I was the unit historian at the time

[@garysimpson3900]

Another great article while walking in the footsteps of hero's. The more I discover about Operation Market Garden the more I realise what a shambles it was from its inception.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! One day I need to do an episode focusing on the planning of Op MG and how Browning really screwed it up as a result of his ego (I’m not a fan of his in anyway! 😉)

[@OldWolflad]

Not entirely sure Browning deserves such wrath for Op MG. He was undoubtedly aristocratic and deserves criticism for his treatment of Sisabowski, but it was Browning who was very much against earlier operations for being strateically unsound. Browning was always loyal to his men and would never expect them to do something he wouldn’t be prepared to do himself. He became a trained glider pilot and leading airborne expert and had been proven right in his appraisal of the landing zones at Sicily. But his HQ at Groesbeek Heights was seen by many as an unnecessary, useless distraction, and his decision-making was questioned. But again, the decision to base his HQ on the Groesbeek Heights was made above him, and the lack of communications at his HQ were not of his doing, making his role on the ground far more difficult. @@WW2Wayfinder

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Market Garden was killed by two American USAAF generals, Brereton and Williams refusing to fly double missions on day one, placing more importance on Troop Carrier Command personnel not getting overly tired instead of the well being of the paratroopers deep behind enemy lines. Montgomery, Browning and the individual Airborne commanders wanted double missions on day one, but Brereton and Williams refused. Eisenhower's fault for personally choosing Brereton of the USAAF to command First Allied Airborne Army. Brereton's bias there sided with the USAAF.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@OldWolflad Absolutely correct, and Browning never placed the blame for Market Garden not succeeding on Sosabowski or the Poles. He specifically cited the Germans, the weather, lack of preparation time and the non arrival of the US 325th Glider Infantry Regiment in the Nijmegen area on the 19th. What Browning didn't like about Sosabowski was his arrogance and stubbornness. He wasn't alone. General Horrocks was aghast at Sosabowski'arrogance as well. Anyway, Browning was out of the Airborne and got rid of BEFORE Sosabowski was. Shunted off to Burma in an admin role.

[@bigwoody4704]

Even Gerry blames the crap plan,like the Irish Guards and the GIs.The puuf bernard was nowhere around,Probably giving little Lucian The Full Monty *'It Never Snows in September' Robert J Kershaw - page 201* SS Captain Carl-Heinz Euling came to a decision "the 1st enemy tank was able to pass over the road bridge during the evening of 20 september,the railway bridge had already fallen *'It Never Snows in September' Robert J Kershaw,p. 215, Heinz Harmel was to be more explicit: The English drank too much tea...! He later remarked "the 4 tanks who crossed the Bridge made a mistake when they stayed in Lent* If they had carried on their advance it would have been all over for us."* *'It Never Snows in September' Robert J Kershaw - page 221* SS-Colonel Heinz Harmel wondered,even after the war,why the tanks that had rushed the Nijmegen bridge with such 'elan had not continued further.The Allies had certainly missed an opportunity.They might possibly have pushed a battle group into Arnhem itself. *'Why did they not drive on to Elst instead of staying in Lent? 'he asked;'at this instant there were no German armoured forces available to block Elst.'It was a lost chance* *It Never Snows in September Robert J Kershaw, p.231-233* on the 1st day of the landings the Hohenstauffenn captured a British Officer in possession of the ground marking instructions to indicate drop zones *"It Never Snows in September" page 285 Robert Kershaw XXX Corp was paying the price for committing it's entire offensive force along one road to reach the besieged airborne divisions.It's forces snarled up in such a narrow corridor that was proving difficult.* "It Never Snows in September", p.304-05 Robert Kershaw, By 19 september there were 15 German battalions assembled around Nijmegen & 14 were battling against the Americans and advancing British south of Grave .Local German superiority was often achieved because Airborne units had to be dispersed to cover Hell's Highway and hold out under pressure. *"It Never Snows in September" page 306 Robert Kershaw​ XXX Corp advancing along one easily defended road was never able proportionally to match the German build up,and achieve the odds ratio necessary for rapid success. More specifically it was never able to push forward sufficient infantry by ground or fly them in by air,to secure what were essentially infantry objectives This was of crucial signifigance because General Gavin's 82nd Airborne lacked sufficient infantry to storm the Nijmegen bridges before the arrival of XXX Corp on 20 September* *"It Never Snows in September" page 307 M-G was condemned therefore,to move in the Allies favor only at XXX Corps laborious pace through the airborne corridor.Progress was made difficult and the road cut on at least 2 occasions by the sudden deployment of newly arrived German Panzer & infantry forces*

[@ManWithNoName1980]

Thank ypu for this superb material. Top job as always. Especially its not well known story unless someone watched "A Bridge to Far". It's great to be in the club of handful on countries who commenced a compad drop of a big unit in II WW. As a UK Pole l must visit this area as well as all the places conected to 1 Armored Div. I have been in places conected to Polish Navy and Airforce in UK but its now time to move across the Chanel.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching! And I highly recommend a visit to Driel and the surrounding area if you can as you will not regret it!

[@johnrye6752]

Top story & awesome cap,keep em coming....

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@user-oc2lu5sv7e]

Amazing vid, very profound, and humbling.. Thanks for showing.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching!

[@wjewell63]

Appreciate you man.......👍 Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure!

[@andrzejwitkowski1257]

Thank you and best regards.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@bigalant]

Such a powerful story well told . Respect to the Dutch and the Polish .

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@mikkoveijalainen7430]

Very interesting and well made video. I'm going to visit Arnhem during this summer and I just started reading Gen. Sosabowski's memoirs.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I hope you have a great trip there. Arnhem and the surrounding area is one of my favourite spots in Europe to visit for wartime history.

[@thevillaaston7811]

@@WW2Wayfinder The Polish General Sosabowski was portrayed in the film 'A Bridge Too Far'. What is forgotten about the Polish Paratroopers of Operation Market Garden?..

[@markthompson9870]

Thanks Jon. A fitting tribute.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. I love how the Poles who fought there are so passionately remembered by the people of Driel

[@NickyB0718]

Very cool thanks for this

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching😃

[@l00t3R]

Brilliant vid.😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@nexusgroupnxt]

I love this video especially because i live close to that place!! Such a shame i did not know you where coming here.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s a wonderful village! I just need to start planning my return trip as I missed out on so many places only having 48 hours

[@davidking6172]

Great video 📹 well done 👏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Knebworth4879]

Such a great narrative style, well researched and delivered too, Jonathan. Also love your real links with historical photos in WW2 and today, which many of us have probably only seen in books, or TV (esp. BoB). I'm guessing from your attire and demeanour you're a former subaltern in 9 Para Sqn?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I hope it helps to raise the memory of the Polish Paratroopers and show just how well remembered they are in Driel, something I was so pleased to see!

[@ncwoodworker]

Thanks Jon for sharing this not well know story about the Polish paratroopers.

[@polmick]

Excellent thanks 👍👏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@mil546]

Thank you.

[@bettylaselli2048]

Glory to those heroes who fought for fredoom! ❤

[@robertthomas3777]

‘Men of men’. Brave. Brilliant presentation. Thanks. Lest we forget. 🇦🇺🦘👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@thenoworriesnomad]

Excellent video...👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@peterguns]

Great material. Well was lucky and met many airborne vets of ww2. Among them were famous Easy co of 506 PIR and also vets of Polish 1 st indep parachute brigade. Great men and patriots. But i remember one who was special. He was reassigned to another unit just before the eve of Driel landing. Why? Cause he loudly questioned the sense of the airborne operations expecting heavy losses and need of big support aftet 2- 3 days of fighting. An officer heard it and ordered him to the report. After that he was reassigned with another 3 guys who shared his view. This is the story, isnt it ? This vet survived the war in another unit and became an engineer in British defence industry. Great man who predicted Arnhem bad planing and defeat...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow I wasn’t aware of men being transferred but certainly makes sense! General Browning should have been charged with gross incompetence for his planning of Market Garden but as is so typical he walked away from it.

[@adamkrol69]

my grandfather Jozef Krol fought here, although I have very little details but I still have the Driel medal that was given to him by the dutch government.

[@airbornesoldier8104]

Thank you so much Jon for another superb documentary for our delectation. The whole operation was a complete bloody balls up from start to finish and the outrageous pomposity of some of the military leadership should have been brought to justice . I include Montgomery in that statement and blame his monumental vain ego for the total waste of brave young men who never stood a chance . I can never thank the population and people of Holland for their dedication, love and care they place on these our allied soldiers of all nations who died and suffered trying to liberate their country. Again Jon thank you maestro for the honesty of your historical content and as always well done that man.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@patriotBR]

Great job!🫡🇧🇷

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@kevinfright8195]

For those who know and whom are interested... The Poles of Market Garden and their part is never forgotten. I have visited the graves of these brave men, and met a young Polish couple who were placing flowers on the graves

[@zitabennett6831]

Its lovely that all the many memorials are well kept and always have wreaths and flowers on them. The people and their countries still remember the huge sacrifice that the soliders gave for their freedom. Britain was so lucky not to have been occupied during the war and sometime I think we forget how hard and difficuilt it was for the people. The closest that the Nazis got to Britain, was the Channel Isles and they were occupied for the whole of the war, and suffered very badly.

[@screwremover6239]

Thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome

[@rafalrafal8103]

Bardzo precyzyjnie przekazałes wiedzę o której wiedzą nieliczni. To co opowiadałeś jest prawdą. Należy dodać,że przed samą operacja Market-Garden spadochroniarze protestowali przeciwko uczestnictwu w tej operacji ,bo mieli być wykorzystani w Powstaniu Warszawskim Protestem była dwudniowa głodówka żołnierzy. Jeśli chodzi o Gen. Sosabowskiego. Był prawdziwym dowódcą ,żołnierzem,ale jednak niedocenionym przez Brytyjczyków . Po wojnie pracował o ile się nie mylę jako magazynier do połowy lat 60-tych

[@dougkruse1301]

Question: have you ever done a video on the battle at Baraque Fraiture (Parker’s Corner) during the Battle of the Bulge. My father was in the 106th infantry and was there. Thanks for all the interesting videos that you do.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Not yet but all things being equal I’ll be back in the Ardennes this December 😉

[@randystolz]

We still "Abide..." Thank you for sharing the story of these Polish warriors... 🤓

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. I was captivated by their story and hope it helps to raise the profile of what these incredible men achieved

[@igotplasteredstan2008]

Thanks for a very informative video, just like all your other material. Sadly there is very little information and recognition about the Polish troops, it's as if they never took part in the war. Perhaps you would be kind enough to cover the Polish 1st Armoured Division who also had a brilliant commander Stanislaw Maczek who received very little recognition from the British. My father served under General Maczek. Keep up the good work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’m hoping to cover the 1st Armoured Div next year if I can but it is defiantly on the list!

[@mcyb561]

This video has been so helpful. I'm cycling to Driel to see where my grandfather landed as a radio operator in the Poles Brigade. Thanks, just work on the pronunciation of Sosabowski!

[@The508ranger]

Great to hear the details of the Polish ABN BDE. Respect! AATW! ooh, where can we get those hats mate? Cheers!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks for watching! The hat I got from Ginkel Heath during the mass drops on the anniversary weekend but the Hartenstein Hotel Museum May have them in their online store

[@The508ranger]

@@WW2WayfinderThanks mate! Much appreciated.

[@adamswitlak1242]

Thanx for this great clip. Well done, mate. Tip hat. Regards from Warsaw, Poland

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully it helps promote the memory of those brave Polish paratroopers and what they achieved during Operation Market Garden

[@blaucopter196]

Amazing content as always, and that's a sick cap! Checked online and couldn't find it. Did you buy it over there?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! As for that as far as I know they were only available there for the anniversary but maybe check the Hartenstein Museum website as they may have some available online

[@robertthomas3777]

@@WW2Wayfinderit’s all in Dutch.

[@marcoschwarz3763]

Still a very nice video! 👍👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

My pops dad served as a medic , with a Capt.s rank , and carried a weapon , optional for medics in A/B units . Grandpa served as a medic in the American 508 PIR 82ndvA/B Division ,vAnd landed , after his jump , not far from STE. Mere Eglise , and took part in the bloody hedgerow "Bocage " country .

[@lawrencemyers3623]

Good presentation, nice to see this part of Market-Garden getting some notice. One thing though, at 2:39 it shows some SS troops during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. However, this photo was taken about a year and a half earlier during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising as the officer with the cap is SS General Juergen Stroop who was put in charge of suppressing the revolt. Stroop was later captured by the US Army and hanged for war crimes in Poland in 1952.

[@rafalrafal8103]

You conveyed knowledge very precisely that few people know about. What you said is true. It should be added that before Operation Market-Garden, the paratroopers protested against participating in this operation because they were to be used in the Warsaw Uprising. The protest was a two-day hunger strike by soldiers. As for Gen. Sosabowski. He was a true commander and soldier, but underestimated by the British. After the war, if I'm not mistaken, he worked as a warehouseman until the mid-1960s

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. The Polish forces deserve far more credit than they receive when it comes to the narrative of World War 2 and Sosabowski’s treatment post-war really does show how wrong the west got it in terms of their recognition.

[@simonrichards6739]

Great video once again, may I ask where you got that baseball cap?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I purchased it at Ginkel Heath while waiting for the mass drops on the Saturday. Maybe the online shop or the Hartenstein Museum has them for sale?

[@parufka7830]

Great job, really great. I have always been fascinated by this story, ever since watching "A Bridge Too Far" when I was a kid. Gene played Sosabowski very well. Beevor described Operation Market Garden with a bitterness that is palpable. Since I managed to buy his book "Arnhen" a few years ago, I read it every year around September-October. It is always addictive. And I always regret that when I was in the Netherlands on business, I wasn't able to go to Arnhen and see this bridge. The fragments when Beevor describes the suffering of the Dutch, also after the battle, are also moving. The "Hunger Winter" was the hardest experience in the West under German occupation. Have you made a film about General Maczek and his armored division and how he was treated by the British after the war? If so, please send me a link, I'd love to watch it. Sorry for my English, I use a translator.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Your English is spot on😃 Beevors book is a good one and like you I try and pick it up around September time!

[@thevillaaston7811]

@@WW2Wayfinder 'Beevors book is a good one' What did Antony Beevor add to the subject? Almost all of the major figures involved in Market Garden were long since dead and had already been interviewed by competent historians, all of the major archives had long since been gone through by others. He has the odd lurid anecdote from foot soldiers or few bits from Dutch archives and that is about it. Its not as though he has any relevant personal experience. He was not even born until after the war and he was in and out of the army inside four peacetime years. He writes the sort of stuff that sells well in the USA to make sure he gets his place on the US lecture circuit. ARNHEM THE BATTLE FOR THE BRIDGES, 1944 Antony Beevor VIKING an imprint of PENGUIN BOOKS First published 2018 1 The Chase is On! 'British troops were rather jealous that General George Patton's US Third Army had beaten them to a Seine crossing by six days.' How is he to know what emotions British troops were experiencing?..

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

The shrines are memorial sites are an absolute dream I hope to see one day.

[@clewis5917]

Good job.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@GuyWillson-bu6nz]

My mother always held the Poles in high esteem. She was a courier in the Resistance in Arnhem and after the Germans evacuated Arnhem to officially loot the town as a punishment for assisting the English during the operation Market Garden. My mother had to move with her family to Lunteren but she was able to work and form part a chain helping paras re-cross the Rijn to escape. I did not know how many Poles were part of that effort. Mum brought food to safe houses along the way. She was betrayed to the Gestapo and arrested in February and sentence to be executed by firing squad but she prayed and God delivered her. You can see her memorabilia at the museum at Middle Wallop her name Machteld Fromberg 'Gonnie'

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing that! I can never begin to understand the courage it took for civilians such as your Mother to do what they did in occupied Europe. I just cannot begin to comprehend how they went about their normal lives while working for the resistance.

[@GuyWillson-bu6nz]

@@WW2Wayfinder I don't think their lives were normal but my mum was 24 when she was freed from Gestapo custody. She was tortured including by an NSBer. I took her to the Market Garden Commemoration event in 2014 and she loved it. She was awarded the Mobilisatie Oorlogs Kruiz as well to which her reply was "I was only a courier" As a Christian my mum went Home to be with the Lord in 2017 at 98. 17 Paras came to the 'graduation' and at the wake I gave them a painting of the Oosterbeek Kerk which you identified in your video. It was painted 14 years earlier. It had a taller spire before the battle but there are dramatic clouds in the sky as if to give foreboding for what was coming. You can see the painting either at Middle Wallop or the Paras Officers Mess.

[@GuyWillson-bu6nz]

@@WW2Wayfinder funny thing is that when we were young in the '60s we watched a series on Resistance work and commented exactly as you did. When she made comments on the similarity or not with the program my father said because she was there. When mum walked out of the Gestapo HQ she had deliberately forgiven them for the beastly behaviour of the Germans. She lived a happy life after marrying my father Capt. T.G.Willson and had three boys of which I am the middle one. My father was the chief supply officer for the Canadians who were mopping up the Germans in North Holland. Because she spoke German like a native, and English, she was quickly employed by British Intelligence as an interpreter. This gave her officer status and they met in the officer's mess. They were married in Sept 1946. Dad died in 2012. As for me, I am a missionary in Papua New Guinea.

[@moobaz8675]

Great video and great to see the Poles are remembered so well in Driel. My grandmothers cousin fought at Arnhem, escaped across the river and was killed a week later by a drunk US truck driver. Such a waste.

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Thanks. This is righteous. Address by Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, 31 May 2006 Speech | 31-05-2006 at the presentation of the insignia of the Militaire Willemsorde to the First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade and the insignia of the Bronze Lion, posthumously, to its commanding officer, General Sosabowski Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to welcome you all most cordially to this ceremony, at which two prestigious Dutch honours will be conferred on Polish heroes who played an important role in liberating our country at the end of the Second World War. It is a particular pleasure to first of all greet the Polish veterans who are here this morning. Today we honour through them the ninety-three Polish soldiers who died during the Battle of Arnhem, or who later succumbed to their wounds. We honour too those who have died since then, and those who are unable to attend the ceremony today. I should also like to warmly welcome the members of General Stanislaw Sosabowski's family, in particular his grandsons, who have agreed to accept the decoration awarded to him posthumously on their grandfather's behalf. I also greet the members of the Sixth Polish Air Assault Brigade, which continues the tradition of the First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade and whose commanding officer will receive the award on behalf of the Brigade. Furthermore, I greatly appreciate that representatives of the Polish Government and Armed Forces, who emphasise with their presence the value attached to this tribute in Poland. I should like to say a word of thanks to the holders of the Militaire Willemsorde - both individuals and units - and of the Bronze Lion who, by being here, bear witness to their commitment. That applies in particular to the representatives of the Eighty-Second US Airborne Division, who also fought in Operation Market Garden and are in our midst today to pay their respects to our Polish liberators. We greatly appreciate you all joining us to mark this occasion. Since the war we have remembered our dead and celebrated our liberation every year. After the fall of the old regime when Poland resumed its place as a democratic country among the European nations, the Polish and the Dutch could come together for the first time in a solemn ceremony. In celebrating our liberation, we also express the value we attach to freedom and our awareness that freedom is never without commitment and should never be taken for granted. Gratitude to our liberators is deeply felt in the Netherlands and is expressed anew each year. Sad to say, however, the courageous actions of General Sosabowski and his First Polish Parachute Brigade at the Battle of Arnhem and the great service they rendered in the cause of liberating the Netherlands have never been formally recognised. Queen Wilhelmina, my grandmother, did express the wish for such recognition at that time, and my father, Prince Bernhard, often urged that the valour of the Poles be acknowledged. Unfortunately, their wishes were not carried out at the time. The immense changes that took place in Europe after the war and the terrible consequences they had for Poland played a part in this omission. The award by the Dutch Government of the two highest decorations for bravery our country can confer, the Militaire Willemsorde to the First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade, and the Bronze Lion, posthumously, to its commanding officer, General Sosabowski, redresses this historical error. This decision finally does justice to the Polish forces who fought for the liberation of the Netherlands and to the exceptional courage they displayed. We honour, above all, those who sacrificed their lives in that conflict. You will understand that it gives me especial pleasure to be able to fulfil today at last the wish cherished by my grandmother and my father. May I now ask the commanding officer of the Sixth Polish Air Assault Brigade to come forward and accept the insignia of the Militaire Willemsorde for conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty on behalf of the First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade. ................. I should now like to ask the grandsons of General Sosabowski to come forward and to accept, in the name of their grandfather, the insignia of the Bronze Lion for acts of conspicuous bravery and leadership. .................. Thank you.

[@colmcc-ij3nn]

Brave boys all of them. Dropped into a slaughterhouse 😢

[@VinceViking26]

Do you also visited the Airborne Museum Hartenstein at Oosterbeek? I was last weekend at Oosterbeek and Arnhem, and did the Oosterbeek Perimeter walkingroute. And also visited the "JohannaHoeve " Farm battleground, bordering LZ-L, defended by the 7th KOSB HQ and B Companies agains German Counterattacks..

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I didn’t have time sadly but I will hopefully when I return. It was my first time there and I only had the Saturday and Sunday to look around so had to miss so much unfortunately

[@michaelpenny1052]

Hey @WW2 Wayfinder! Just curious where do you find ww2 footage for your videos?

[@mikedundas8224]

An excellent production, shining the light of truth on a shameful episode of WW2 history and the shocking treatment of a great Polish general.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Those men of the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade were incredible men and it was incredible to see how the Dutch still remember their efforts.