Gavin's Gamble

Operation Market Garden was in full swing and encountering unexpectedly heavy resistance. Attempts to wrest control of the Waal Bridge by head-on assaults were repulsed. General Gavin decided on a daring river assault to outflank the center of resistance. A mile to the west, the …

1944-09-20

25

Operation Market Garden was in full swing and encountering unexpectedly heavy resistance. Attempts to wrest control of the Waal Bridge by head-on assaults were repulsed. General Gavin decided on a daring river assault to outflank the center of resistance. A mile to the west, the 504th Parachute Regiment was to cross in broad daylight behind a massive smokescreen, advance along the north bank, and link up with other elements attacking across the bridge.

Nijmegen, Holland

The Battle of Nijmegen or Liberation of Nijmegen occurred in the Netherlands from 17 to 20 September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden during World War II. The Allies' primary goal was to capture the two bridges over the Waal River at Nijmegen – the road route over the Waalbrug (Waal Bridge) and Nijmegen railway bridge – and relieve the British 1st Airborne Division and Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade at Arnhem, 10 miles (16 km) north of Nijmegen. The Allied infantry units at Arnhem were surrounded by German forces, and involved in heavy fighting for control of bridges over the Rhine. Delays caused by hastily-organised German reinforcements at Nijmegen ultimately led to the failure of Operation Market Garden. It took the Allies longer than expected to secure a land route to Arnhem, where the British and Polish forces were forced south of the Rhine and sustained massive casualties. In addition, fighting at Nijmegen cost hundreds of civilian lives, and caused significant damage to many buildings in the city.

American / British

German

Scenario Type = Standard