Operation Berlin (Arnhem) facts for kids

Operation Berlin was a secret night-time rescue mission during World War II. It happened on September 25-26, 1944. The goal was to save British soldiers who were stuck behind enemy lines. These soldiers were part of the British 1st Airborne Division. They were in the Netherlands, north of the Lower Rhine river.

The soldiers were surrounded by German forces. They were in great danger of being captured or defeated. The 1st Polish Parachute Brigade helped cover the rescue. About 2,400 British soldiers were saved. This event marked the end of Operation Market Garden. This was an Allied plan to cross the Rhine river. The Allies hoped to end the war in Europe by the end of 1944.

Soldiers from the Glider Pilot Regiment helped guide the way. They laid white tape through the woods. This tape led from the Hartenstein Hotel to the riverbank. There, Royal Canadian Engineers and British Royal Engineers waited. They used small boats to ferry the soldiers across the Rhine. They landed north of Driel, reaching safety.

Why Operation Berlin Happened

Operation Market Garden's Goal

In September 1944, the Allies started Operation Market Garden. Their aim was to push into the Ruhr region of Germany. This area was Germany's industrial heartland. Capturing it would stop Germany from making war supplies. The Allies hoped this would end the war by Christmas 1944.

The plan involved three airborne divisions. The British 1st Airborne Division and two American divisions (the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions) had a key job. They needed to capture important bridges in the Netherlands. This would allow General Brian Horrocks' XXX Corps to advance into Germany.

The final bridge was at Arnhem, on the Lower Rhine. If the Allies held this bridge, they could move into the Ruhr valley. About 40% of the troops dropped at Arnhem were from the Parachute Regiment. Later, the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade joined them. They expected help from XXX Corps within two days.

The Battle of Arnhem

The airborne landings began on September 17, 1944. They continued for three days. However, the German resistance was much stronger than expected. The II SS Panzer Corps was in the area. This made the fighting very tough.

Only a small group of British paratroopers reached the Arnhem bridge. This group was led by Major John Frost. They managed to take one end of the bridge. But they were greatly outnumbered and outgunned. After four days of fierce fighting, they were defeated. The rest of the 1st Airborne Division set up a defense around the Hartenstein Hotel. This area in Oosterbeek became known as the Oosterbeek Perimeter.

The British hoped XXX Corps would arrive and help them cross the river. Four days after the operation began, the Polish Brigade landed at Driel. This was south of the Rhine, on September 21. They had no equipment to cross the river. So, they could not help the trapped British soldiers. The Allies did win the Battle of Nijmegen that day. XXX Corps crossed the Waal river. But the troops were tired. They did not advance further until the next day. The first parts of XXX Corps reached the Poles on September 22.

Attempts to Rescue the 1st Airborne Division

Major General Roy Urquhart commanded the 1st Airborne Division. He asked the 1st Polish Brigade to cross the river on the night of September 21. But neither group had any boats. So the Poles stayed in Driel for the night. They set up a strong defense. The first parts of XXX Corps reached Driel the next day. At the same time, the Germans created a blocking line. This stopped the Allies from advancing on the road bridge.

During the day, the 1st Division found six rubber boats. They helped the Poles try to cross again. That night, September 22, the plan began. But the rope meant to pull the boats broke. The oars were too small for the river's strong current. Only 55 men crossed. Just 35 of them reached the British positions.

On September 23, the 43rd (Wessex) Division arrived at Driel. They brought assault boats for the Poles. But these boats arrived late. The Poles were not used to these boats. Only 153 men crossed the river. This was much less than they had hoped for.

On September 24, General Horrocks visited the Polish positions. He wanted to see the situation for himself. That afternoon, a meeting was held to discuss how to rescue the 1st Airborne. Major General Ivor Thomas of the 43rd Division suggested a plan. He wanted to send one of his battalions and one Polish battalion across the river. The Polish commander, Major General Stanisław Sosabowski, was very angry about this. Despite this, Horrocks seemed to realize the British 1st Airborne could not hold out much longer. Plans for their withdrawal began.

That night's attempt to cross the river was a disaster. Not enough boats arrived for both battalions. So, only the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment tried to cross. Their crossing led them right into German positions. Of the 315 men who crossed before daylight, over 200 were captured. Two men who did reach the Airborne forces carried copies of the withdrawal plan for Urquhart.

The Evacuation Mission

Allied soldiers from Arnhem arriving at Nijmegen after being rescued.

The earlier rescue attempts had little success. The next step was to evacuate the remaining 1st Airborne soldiers. They would use small boats to cross the Neder Rijn at night. Four special engineer companies were chosen for Operation Berlin. These were the British Royal Engineer 260th and 553rd Field Companies. Also, the Royal Canadian Engineer 20th and 23rd Field Companies.

The operation was set to start at 10:00 PM on September 25. The engineer companies had moved hours earlier. They went through German positions to the south bank of the Neder Rijn. The weather was terrible. German machine guns, mortars, and artillery fired constantly. Despite this, the boats moved back and forth across the wide, fast river all night. The rescue continued until daylight forced the operation to stop.

How Many Were Saved?

The 1st Airborne Division originally had 10,095 men. On the night of September 25, about 2,500 were still able to fight. Of these, 2,163 British soldiers made it across the Rhine to safety in Driel. This included 75 men from the 4th Dorsets. Also, 160 Polish soldiers were rescued.

Operation Berlin saved about 2,500 airborne troops. The 23rd Field Company rescued most of the trapped paratroopers. They made about 150 boat trips. The 23rd Field Company lost seven men killed and 14 wounded. Five of their members received awards for their brave actions.

A Special Monument

A memorial on the southern bank of the Rhine River, near Arnhem.

On the south bank of the Rhine river, there is a monument. It remembers the Canadian and British engineers. They played a vital role in Operation Berlin. The monument's words tell their story: "It is 25th September 1944: The battle of Arnhem is still raging, but the position of the surrounded British and Polish troops on the northern Rhine bank has become untenable. Then the order for their evacuation across the river is given. In that rainy night hundreds of soldiers come in small parties to the river forelands, between the farmhouse and the Old Church - both clearly visible from here - and wait to be rescued. Under heavy German fire from the Westerbouwing, British (260 and 553 Fd Coys) and Canadian (20 and 23 Fd Coys) Engineers make dozens of trips in their small boats from this bank. In one night, supported by other units, they manage to rescue 2,400 airborne troops. At the time the rescued had hardly seen their savers, so they have never been able to thank them. This monument has been erected to express their gratitude (15 September 1989)."