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Operation Market Garden: 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment Defend Arnhem BridgeWorld War II | Single Page | 23 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post The time was 0430 on September 19, 1944. The men of D Company of the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, lurked in the early morning shadows and nervously awaited the word to lead the advance into Arnhem, Holland, and relieve the surrounded paratroopers defending the bridge. Bleary-eyed and exhausted after a 14-hour forced march, they viewed the scene before them with alarm and trepidation. Ahead, Arnhem was convulsed in battle. The sky overhead glowed from tracer fire and the harsh light emitted from the embers of burning buildings. Smoke and haze drifted over the British positions and obscured the broad hill leading up to their first objective, the municipal museum 700 yards ahead. Immediately to the left, in stark contrast, towered the gothic bulk of St. Elisabeth's Hospital. Subscribe Today
In forward positions in the houses and streets west of St. Elisabeth's, most men snatched a little sleep or choked down one last bite to eat. Their officers and NCOs earnestly scurried about, making last-minute preparations for the attack, ever mindful to keep clear of the open spaces to avoid being hit by the long bursts of German fixed-line machine gun fire that regularly searched the cobblestone streets. A little after 0400 hours D Company emerged from the darkness and attacked up the hill to its front. After they passed through the open space east of the hospital the night erupted into an incredible cacophony of machine gun fire, exploding grenades and shouted commands. When it was over the survivors knew that they could not reach the bridge and reinforce their hard-pressed comrades. Two days earlier, on September 17, the British 1st Airborne Division was the northernmost of three Allied airborne divisions supporting the airborne phase of Operation Market-Garden. Its mission was to seize the city of Arnhem and hold the bridges over the Lower Rhine until relieved by ground forces. The troops of the 1st Parachute Brigade and the 1st Airlanding Brigade were allocated landing zones (LZs) about six miles northwest of downtown Arnhem. The paratroopers planned to capture the primary objectives in the city, while the South Staffords, the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and the 7th Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers secured the LZs for future troop lifts and supply drops. The 4th Parachute Brigade and the Polish Parachute Brigade would arrive beginning the next day to support the units already on the ground in Arnhem. The division expected relief in two to four days from the British Second Army advancing north from Nijmegen, whose bridge across the Waal River would — it was hoped — be secured by the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. The South Staffords, commanded by Lt. Col. W.D.H. McCardie, were flown to the battlefield in two lifts on successive days beginning September 17. The first glider lift landed on the east side of LZ S at 1330. It consisted of some 420 men from Major R.H. Cain's B Company, Major J.E. Phillip's D Company, Battalion HQ commanded by Major J.M. Simonds, one platoon of mortars and one platoon of medium machine guns. The remainder of the battalion, commanded by Major J.C. Commings, arrived with the second lift on the following day. This group consisted of Major T.B. Lane's A Company, Major P.R.T. Wright's C Company and the remaining battalion heavy weapons and transport in the Support Company led by Major J.S.A. Buchanan. All but two of the gliders arrived at their destinations. The 1st Parachute Brigade, commanded by Brigadier G.W. Lathbury, landed within the first hour. With little fanfare the three parachute battalions formed up and disappeared into the thickly wooded Dutch countryside while the airlanding brigade, commanded by Brigadier P.H.W. Hicks, remained behind to secure the LZs. By 1500, two platoons of the 'South Staffs' in company with a section of glider pilots cleared the shattered bedroom community of Wolfheze, while the remainder of the lift assumed defensive positions on the perimeter of the LZ. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Airborne Operations, Historical Conflicts, World War II
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23 Comments to “Operation Market Garden: 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment Defend Arnhem Bridge”
My husband was one of the 133 enlisted men that returned with Maj Cain's B Co. He was one the paras that were on the Arnhem Bridge. He is 84 yrs old. Outside of a hearing loss and a hip replacement he is doing very well.
We attended Anzac Day this year at the local military facility and marched to the memorial square.
By Jackie Bassett on Jul 21, 2008 at 5:47 am
I am researching the death of Leonard V MIles – killed in active service in 1944 whilst serving in the S. Staffs Reg – can you provide any information?
By Alan Cogdell on Aug 27, 2008 at 3:45 am
I am trying to piece together my Grandfather's career in the South Staffs.I certainly know he was in the 2nd Bn. and had been a member of the regiment since 1922 so would be considered something of a veteran by the outbreak of W.W.II .His name was Harry Ford and I am given to understand that he was an R.S.M. by the end of his career sometime in the 1950s'.Anyone who can provide even the smallest of insight would be gratefully received and muchly appreciated.
By David Ford on Oct 20, 2008 at 6:08 pm
My Uncle, Russell Ambrose Thorpe joined 2nd Btn Sth Staffs
during the late 1930s and saw action at Sicily and Arnhem,
where he was captured and sent to PoW camp.After the war he
emigrated to Australia and remained there until his death 2 yrs
ago. If any members of the regt can remember him I would love
to get in touch.Thankyou.
By Peter Elkington on Nov 4, 2008 at 11:46 am
HI MY NAME IS JAYNE BREESE IAM RESEARCHING MY DADS
GREAT UNCLE ALFRED FROM STOURBRIDGE. HIS REG NO WAS
9026 HE WAS IN 1ST BN SOUTH STAFFORSHIRE IF ANYONE
HAS ANY DETAIALS OF HI IN THE SOUTH STAFFS I WOULD BE
GRATEFULL. ALL I KNOW IS WHER HE IS COMMEMEATED.
KIND REGARDS JAYNE
By jayne on Nov 6, 2008 at 12:07 pm
My grandfather, Thomas Clarke served in the South Staffs
Regiment. He retired as a RSM and died in 1954, aged 74 in
Walsall, Staffs. He was in India in 1907. He also served in the
Boer war, and spent some time in Palestine. I am trying to trace
his branch of my family history. I don't know his reg: no: nor
which batallion he served in.
By Maggie on nov 7, 2008 at 20:28
By Maggie Ferguson on Nov 7, 2008 at 4:28 pm
My Uncle, Russell Ambrose Thorpe joined 2nd Btn Sth Staffs
during the late 1930s and saw action at Sicily and Arnhem,
where he was captured and sent to PoW camp.After the war he
emigrated to Australia and remained there until his death 2 yrs
ago. If any members of the regt can remember him I would love
to get in touch.Thankyou.
By Peter Elkington on Nov 4, 2008 at 11:46 am
If this person contacts me I can help
By Russell Thorpe on Dec 13, 2008 at 3:09 pm
ref above I would like to make contact
By Steve Bluff Uk on Dec 13, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I am researching my fatherin laws military career, he was Willam (Bill) Johnson, he served with 2nd Battalion South Staffs ( Ist Airborne in North Africa, Sicily, italy, Arnhem and Norway. If anyone has any information I would be extremely grateful.
By Terence Janes on Jan 3, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I am researching my fatherin laws military career, he was Willam (Bill) Johnson, he served with 2nd Battalion South Staffs ( Ist Airborne in North Africa, Sicily, italy, Arnhem and Norway. If anyone has any information I would be extremely grateful.
By Terence Janes on Jan 3, 2009 at 12:55 pm
My father, Sidney Grice, served in the 1st Airlanding Bigade , South Staffs Regiment in Sicily,Italy and Arnhem. I would delighted to here from anyone who new him.
By Vincent Grice on Jan 14, 2009 at 2:05 pm
My Uncle, Russell Ambrose Thorpe joined 2nd Btn Sth Staffs
during the late 1930s and saw action at Sicily and Arnhem,
where he was captured and sent to PoW camp.After the war he
emigrated to Australia and remained there until his death 2 yrs
ago. If any members of the regt can remember him I would love
to get in touch.Thankyou.
From the book By Land Sea and Air….
Thorpe RA Private in HQ Company Signal Platoon Army Number 4914617 taken prisoner…he may be mentioned in the text but haven't been through it….
By arnhem medic on Jan 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Spencer Towns pass away two years ago in Cardiff also served at
North Aficrica, Silcily Arnhem .taken POW stayed with his men..
By towns on Jan 26, 2009 at 10:35 am
My father Capt. Charles Wallace Morgan of the 7th South Staffs fought in the Battle for Caen and I have his account of this and other battles which I have transcribed from the original (written in pencil in a small maths exercise book in the field over a period of 8 weeks). Capt. Morgan emigrated to Rhodesia in 1947 and died in a car accident in 1969. His writings start from leaving Margate in June 1944 to disbandment of the regiment in August 1944. I have some of his military regalia and wonder if anyone would be interested in seeing Capt. Morgan's memoirs. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa and would appreciate hearing from someone who has a father/uncle/grandfather who served in this regiment.
By Lindsay Insel on Apr 18, 2009 at 6:10 am
TRYING TO FIND MORE ABOUT MY DAD REGINALD CHARLES GLOVER 1ST PARA AND OPERARATION MARKET GARDEN AND HIS PART IN IT AND MAYBE SOMEONE WHO KNEW HIM
By REG GLOVER on Apr 27, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I hope somebody can help.My mothers uncle,who named her when she was born,died 6th August 1944.He was in the Battle of Caen we think.He was Warrant Officer Class II (C.S.M.) William Charles Stanton of the South Staffordshire Regiment Unit 2/6th Bn. Service number 2651297.
We just wondered if anybody knew him,and if they did,what was he like etc,or of how he may of lost his life.We are planning a trip soon to his war grave in FONTENAY-LE-PESNEL WAR CEMETERY, TESSEL.
We would be very interested to know if anyone has any information,thanks.
By Natalie Clarke on May 30, 2009 at 5:29 pm
My Father Arthur Broadbent served in The South Staffs.2nd Battalion was badly wounded in Arnehm after being in hospital in Arnehm he was returned to a hospital in England.Does anyone remember him?
By patricia Jones (Broadbent) on Sep 26, 2009 at 10:14 am
Please can anyone help? My father Ivor Williams of A company
7th platoon 2nd South/Staffs no.51214938 . North Africa, Sicily,
Italy, Arnhem(escaped) Norway. My father always talked about
his friend and no.2 on his bren gun Jack Ross no.4928331 dad had to leave Jack at Mrs Ter Horst house as he was injured, he was then p.o.w. at Stalag 11b, dad never saw him again, although
he knew Jack survived the war. Dad has now passed away, but, if
anyone has any info i would be grateful.
By mr James Williams on Oct 11, 2009 at 11:45 am
My Father Ted Paget served with the South Staffs Airbourne Regiment (gliders) at Arnhem. He lived in Lichfield, West Midlands.
If anyone knew him I would appreciate if they would contact me.
His Son
Roy,
I
By Roy Paget on Nov 7, 2009 at 8:20 am
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER MY STEPDAD LANCE CORPORAL BOB MORGAN 2 BTN SOUTH STAFFS ARMY No 4922404.
HE ENLISTED AT LICHFIELD STAFFORDSHIRE 20TH JUNE 1940.
ANY INFO ABOUT WHERE HE SERVED I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL, SADLY HE DIED IN 2003 SO I NEVER KNEW WHAT HE DID. GRAHAM BESANT.
By GRAHAM BESANT. on Jan 8, 2010 at 6:44 pm
My father joined the south staffs aged 16 and served arnheim,dunkirk,italy,el alemien he was captured at the bridge operation market garden in sept 1944 [25th] he in stallag 11a and served his country 1936 to 1952.His name was Henry Lenton and he continued service home counties and Overseas in the aden and the holy land………………
By jennifer lenton on Jun 13, 2010 at 2:44 am