The Drive into Holland: Arnhem 17 September - 2 October 1944
In mid September, after 14 days rest on the east bank of the Seine, the 43rd Division was chosen as the leading infantry formation in the bold drive north into Holland, an operation planned to cut Holland in half and secure the Northern gateway into Germany.
Driving up through Eindhoven behind the armoured columns the 43rd reached the Nijmegen area on 21st September. There it was called on to make the first link-up with the 1st Airborne Division which had been dropped on the north hank of the river Lek west of Arnhem itself. On the 22nd, five days after the first airborne landings, two Brigades crossed the Nijmegen bridges with orders to strike north up the main road to Arnhem. Very bitter fighting developed. With the Airborne by now in urgent need of supplies an armoured relief column, men of the DCLI mounted on tanks of the 4/7th Dragoon Guards 8th Armoured Brigade, was detached to drive by side roads through ten miles of enemy held fenland in an effort to reach the Lek with supplies. In spite of considerable tank opposition they reached the river. The vital contact was made, but the night effort to supply them failed.
By the 23rd the whole of the Division was becoming involved in difficult fighting over open, boggy country, with poor communications, on 'The Island' north of Nijmegen. A full Brigade attempt, made that day, to reach the Lek met with very considerable opposition around Elst. The fighting so delayed the eventual hard won arrival on the river bank that darkness fell before reconnaissance could be made. Polish airborne troops were however contacted on the south bank, and with the help of Royal Engineers of the Division a quantity of supplies was got across the river.
A beginning had been made; but it was not enough. The Airborne were by now very hard pressed. The horseshoe pocket they held was not sufficient to operate any satisfactory relief landing behind. The country was completely overlooked From the German positions and offered no hope of an assault crossing in strength. Arnhem itself was firmly in enemy hands. These factors led to the order for the withdrawal of the Airborne garrison from the north bank of the Lek. To carry out this withdrawal in turn necessitated the widening of the tiny bridgehead in which the Airborne troops were now confined. With their backs to the river they were by now completely enfiladed from both flanks.
It was to take the weight of the German pressure off the Airborne, and allow them to pull out, that the 4th Dorsets crossed the river on the night of 24th September. This gallant rescue bid was fraught with the greatest difficulties. It could be undertaken only at night as the high ground on the north bank gave the enemy foil observation and made daylight movement impossible. Under cover of darkness the Dorsets carried their assault boats down to the river's edge. They were mortared and machine gunned and boats holed before they could he got into the water. The first troops began to cross at 1.30 a.m ferried over by Royal Engineers. Some boats were hit and sank; others were carried down stream by the fast current, But by daylight the elements of Four companies were across, subjected to close range fire, and some pinned, as they landed. In small groups, none more than platoon strength, they fought their way throughout the next day up the steep slope to the high wooded ground which was their objective. So they took the strain and allowed the preparations for the withdrawal of the Airborne to be made. A link-up was established with Airborne Headquarters while infantry on the south bank fought to hold the bridgehead open and the artillery fired constant barrages across the river.
The evacuation of the Airborne was planned for the next night. To keep the enemy guessing a feint attack complete with its own artillery programme and all preparations for an assault crossing, was staged downstream. Carriers of the 8th Middlesex, with Vickers mounted, further confused the enemy by dashing along the river bank firing their guns. With Bofors of the L.A.A. Regiment laying two lanes of directional fire with tracers, the Airborne withdrew quietly to the north hank where Royal Engineers waited for them in assault boats. Meanwhile the Dorsets were fighting and holding on in the woods, covering the withdrawal.
The evacuation of 2163 men of the Airborne Division was achieved that night. The Dorsets fought on mostly unaware that the withdrawal was taking place. Of 250 men of the Battalion and an artillery Forward Observation party of 112th Field Regiment who crossed the river some 170 did not return, A gallant sacrifice had been made for the sake of the Airborne garrison.
The Division fought for 14 days on 'The Island', hard and difficult fighting in the worst conditions. In clearing the area west of the road to Arnhem and holding it against a number of stiff counter attacks, the enemy infiltrating across the river, every unit was fully engaged.
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