It’s Gonna be a Long Day

Captain Kappel’s Company H orders were clear and sobering. They were to parachute, in broad daylight, into enemy territory, assemble their scattered troops, capture the Grave bridges, and eliminate all enemy resistance in your area. “We felt the wheels …

1944-09-17

17

Captain Kappel’s Company H orders were clear and sobering. They were to parachute, in broad daylight, into enemy territory, assemble their scattered troops, capture the Grave bridges, and eliminate all enemy resistance in your area. “We felt the wheels leave the runway, and we were on our way. The sunlight sparkled on the water as we crossed the Channel. The men who had been in combat before understood and knew what was going to happen in a very short time.” 2nd Lt. Ernest Murphy. It was going to be a long day.

Grave, 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-organized 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.

Wikipedia: Battle of Nijmegen

American

German