The Wings of Pegasus by George Chatterton

Chapter 10

Arnhem

It was now decided that the Allied airborne army of one British airborne division and two American airborne divisions

should be dropped at three points in front of the second British army, which was making a spectacular advance

led by 30 corps under their commander Lieutenant General Brian Horrox.

This huge mass drop was to lay a carpet through Arnhem to Arnhem.

In addition, there was to be one air portable division held in reserve.

The commander of this force was General Lewis N. Brarraton, US Air Force.

The main airborne task was commanded by Lieutenant General FAM Browning, CBO-DSO.

The allotment was, first airborne division to Arnhem, a 101st American airborne division

to open a corridor from Arnhem to Grava, and 82nd Airborne division to establish its central section

at Grava and Nymagan, and to capture the high ground south of Nymagan.

To the first airborne division, under the command of Major General R.E. Erkert, C.B. DSO,

fell the duty of capturing the Brigid Arnhem.

Perhaps one of the major problems of this operation was the fact that the Royal Air Force could not carry the whole force in one lift.

It would involve at least two, and it eventually turned out three lifts.

The whole division was to be used together with the Polish parachute brigade.

Another major problem was Flak. The town of Arnhem was very well protected by anti-aircraft guns

from the German airfield at Deeland just north of Arnhem, and slow-flying aircraft

stood little chance of approaching the city by daylight.

It was therefore necessary for the dropping and landing zones to be well beyond the range of the guns at Deeland.

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