Arnhem

The capture of the bridge at Arnhem on the Lower Rhine was tasked to the British 1st Airborne Division. It consisted of the 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Air landing Brigade, 4th Parachute Brigade, with the 1st Independent Polish Brigade allocated for the mission.

Arnhem area

The limitations in transport, fears of anti-aircraft defences and the desire to conduct daylight drops, resulted in a plan whereby the 1st Airborne Division would land in Landing Zones / Drop Zones 8 miles to the west of Arnhem in two daily lifts, the Polish arriving on the third day.

The 1st Air landing Brigade would remain on the DZ / LZ to secure them for the 2nd lift on D+1 which included the 4th Parachute Brigade and the remainder of the divisional troops

The capture of the bridges at Arnhem was tasked to 1st Parachute Brigade (1st / 2nd / 3rd Battalions Parachute Regiment) , and it was estimated it would take 2 to 3 hours for them to reach their destination on foot. Consequently 1st Air landing Reconnaissance Squadron were to make a dash to the bridge in their jeeps, secure the bridge, and await reinforcement by the Paras.  2 Para were to capture a ferry, rail bridge and finally the road bridge at Arnhem. 3 Para would reinforce them, with 1 Para securing the higher ground to the north of Arnhem.

The plan to capture the bridge at Arnhem
Source: Pegasus Archive

On D +1, the 4th Parachute Brigade and the remainder of the Divisional troops would land. This would release 1 Air landing brigade from protecting the DZ / LZ, allowing both brigades to move to Arnhem to reinforce the 1st Parachute Brigade and establish a bridgehead.

On D+2 the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade would drop at the southern end of the bridge to complete a defensive perimeter around the Arnhem.

Planned defensive perimeter Arnhem
Source: Pegasus Archive

Briefing the Arnhem plan 1944

Briefing the Arnhem plan 2013