The First Airborne Division and
Independent Polish Brigade

	Major-General John Dutton (Johnny) Frost. Click to Enlarge

The 1st Airborne was formed on October 31, 1941, at first, it consisted of the British 1st Parachute Brigade and the 1st Air Landing Brigade, but in July of 1942, it received the 2nd Parachute Brigade, bringing its strength to a full division. In late 1942, the 1st Parachute Brigade was sent to North Africa, again depleting the division's strength. The 3rd Parachute Brigade was attached in its absence.  On May 1, 1943, the division was sent to North Africa, joining the 1st Para and leaving 3rd Para behind, which was to form the basis of the 6th Airborne Division. 1st Airborne was then used in the invasion of Sicily, and Italy but was given orders to return to England.  

In January of 1944, Maj. Gen. Roy Urquhart was given command of the division. On D-Day, 1st Airborne remained in reserve, while British 6th Airborne Division made the airborne drops into France. On August 2, 1944 the division became part of the First Allied Airborne Army.  Before Operation Market Garden, 1st Airborne had never fought as a single unit. However, in this operation, it was ordered to seize the Rhine river bridge in the city of Arnhem, while 30 Corps advanced from Belgium. In the initial planning stages, Gen. Urquhart had requested a defensible, flat area to land his division. Although a few areas seemed somewhat suitable, they all had disadvantages, and 1st Airborne was forced to land about 12 km from the extremely important bridge it was tasked to defend, counter to key lessons from the D-Day about landing airborne troops as close as possible to their objectives.

	Polish paratroopers on an airfield prepare for the jump. Click to enlarge.

Also, reconnaissance aircraft and the Dutch resistance had spotted some enemy tanks in woods near Arnhem. The Dutch resistance correctly identified these Tanks and passed the information on to the Allies by September 10. However, 1st Airborne dropped as planned on September 17, 1944.

In order to quickly take the bridge, a jeep-mounted unit had been sent as part of 1st Airborne. However, most of this unit's jeeps were lost when 38 gliders failed to arrive on the drop zone. Remaining vehicles were slow to move out after landing, and its leading vehicles were ambushed on the way to Arnhem. Therefore, 1st Airborne was forced to advance into Arnhem on foot. Also, only half of the division had arrived on the first day due to the decision to make only one drop on the first day. The Divisional commanders all requested two drops on the first day. All three battalions of the 1st Parachute Brigade was sent into Arnhem; however, only 2nd Battalion was able to push through to the bridge. This battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, occupied the buildings near the north end of the bridge for the fight ahead. Frost made two attempts to seize the south end of the bridge, but both ended in failure.

	Preparing for the jump Click to enlarge.

The division made attempts to reinforce Frost at the bridge approach; however, the Germans, operating just over the border from Germany, received substantial reinforcements steadily, and were able to hold the British attacks, and then push the rest of 1st Airborne back, away from the key bridge at Arnhem, held by 2nd Battalion. On September 20, the decision was made to abandon Frost, and for the 1st Airborne to occupy a defence position near Oosterbeek. The 1st Airborne had landed on the north side of the Rhine, while 30 Corps was advancing from the south. It was hoped that when 30 Corps arrived, it could secure the south side of the river and cross the bridge to relieve 1st Airborne.

Col. Frost's men continued to hold the north end of the bridge inside the city of Arnhem, defending their position from several houses surrounding the bridge approaches. Although German tanks and artillery continually barraged and attacked the British positions, they staunchly held. However, by 21 September, the battalion's ammunition was all but gone. Early that day, Frost's battalion finally surrendered. It had held the bridge area for three days and four nights, which was about as long as Allied command had estimated the entire division, consisting of 10,000 elite troops, could hold it. Frost's force never exceeded 800 men.

	The first two gliders to land on the LZ Click to enlarge.

The Airborne division, with no armoured force and few anti-tank weapons, was able to defend against a force about four times as large, which had tremendous armoured and artillery support. It was an extraordinary achievement that has rightly become famous; the bridge was later named in Frost's honour. The main force of the Polish Parachute Brigade arrived on the south side of the river on the 22nd, about three days late due to bad weather over England. The Polish brigade's anti-tank battery went into Arnhem during the first days of the battle, supporting the British paratroopers at Oosterbeek. This left Sosabowski brigade without any anti-tank capability. The light artillery battery was left behind in England due to a shortage of gliders. The 2nd Battalion, and elements of the 3rd Battalion with support troops from the brigades Medical Company, Engineer Company, and HQ Company were dropped under German fire East of Driel. They over-ran Driel, after it was realised that the Heveadorp ferry had been destroyed. In Driel, the Polish Paratroopers set up a defensive "Hedgehog" position, from which over the next two nights further attempts to cross the Rhine were made.

	British Airborne convoy into Arnhem Click to enlarge.

The following day, the Poles were able to produce some make-shift boats and attempted the crossing. With great difficulty and under German fire from the heights of Westerbouwing at the northern bank of the river, the 8th Parachute Company and later additional troops from 3rd Battalion, managed to cross the Rhine in two attempts. In total about 200 Polish Paratroopers made it across in two days who were a welcome reinforcement of the Oosterbeek perimeter. On the 25th, the 1st Airborne was ordered to withdraw across the river. Leaving radiomen, physicians, and the badly wounded behind, Gen. Urquhart and the 2,300 survivors of the 1st Airborne retreated across the river.
High Command had estimated that the 1st Airborne could only hold the position north of the river for four days, at its highest readiness. However, with horribly depleted forces, including a battalion stranded in a hostile town, it held the position for eight days. With less than 1/4 of the division returning from Arnhem, it saw no more action for the rest of the war, however in May 1945 elements of the division was sent to Norway to disarm the 35 000 strong German garrison as well as a brigade being sent to Denmark.

The division was then withdrawn back to the United Kingdom in August 1945 and was disbanded in November of the same year.

	Paratroopers and gliders on the LZ / DZ Click to enlarge.

	Parachutists drop into Holland, September 1944. Click to enlarge.

	Dug in ready for action. Arnhem, 1944. Click to enlarge.

	Enroute to the DZ inside a Douglas Dakota Click to enlarge.

	Loading up the gliders. Click to enlarge.

	Loading up the gliders. Click to enlarge.