#arnhem 75

This year is the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem. Arnhem’s bridge is most famous for being 'The Bridge Too Far', which was at the centre of Cornelius Ryan's book and the subsequent classic war film of the same name. Lets take a look at the history of the famous bridge. 

The earliest bridge across the Nederrijn (Lower Rhine) through Arnhen was a pontoon bridge which had been in place since the 1600s. Various pontoon bridges occupied this location, just west of the Arnhem road bridge, through to World War Two. 

The bridge which was so prominently fought over in September 1944, was the 'Rijnbrug', construction of which began in 1932 and was completed in 1935. During the German invasion in May 1940, Dutch army engineers blew the bridge to slow the German advance. The Germans rebuilt the bridge during their occupation of the Netherlands, work only just being completed in the summer of 1944. 

Arnhem’s road bridge was the last of a series of bridgeheads which needed to be captured in order for Operation Market Garden to be a success. British airborne troops failed to capture the bridge completely, but did secure the northern end. While fighting around the bridge was heavy the structure itself survived the battle, although its northern ramp was littered with the remnants of a destroyed SS Recce Battalion vehicles (see above). 

After the battle the bridge only survived a matter of days when, on 7th October, B-26 Marauders of the USAAF's 344th Bomb Group bomved the bridge, destroying its central span, in order to prevent German reinforcements crossing the river. 

With the bridge destroyed when the Allies finally liberated Arnhem in April 1945, a new temporary Bailey Bridge was built next to the remains of the destroyed Rijnbrug. 

The temporary Bailey Bridge was replaced when the newly rebuilt Rijnbrug reopened in 1948. With a similar arch but subtle differences from the original bridge. In 1977 the bridge was renamed in honour of Major General John Frost who had commanded the British troops who fought in Arnhem.

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How Major Robert Cain won the Victoria Cross during Operation Market Garden

Perhaps the most famous actions involving the Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT) during Operation Market Garden are those carried out by Major Robert Cain, of 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regt. Cain and his men had been blocked from reaching Lt.Col. John Frost’s PARA’s at the bridge in Arnhem and had formed a defensive perimeter in nearby Oosterbeek. 

Throughout the battle the British Airborne forces relied heavily on the PIAT and Major Cain put the weapon to good use. At one point during the battle he used a PIAT, in its secondary in-direct mortar role, in an attempt to drop bombs onto a self-propelled gun which was positioned on the other side of a house. Sadly,  Cain wasn’t able to destroy the SPG before his spotter, Lieutenant Meikle, was killed by enemy fire and he was wounded by falling masonry. 

Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank - PIAT (source)

On the 21st September he engaged and destroyed an enemy tank with the PIAT. He then moved to take on a second tank but as he fired the bomb prematurely detonated just as it left the weapon - likely due to a faulty fuse or a misaligned bomb. Cain was wounded again being thrown back by the blast and being hit by metal fragments.  

Throughout the fighting Cain displayed massive courage engaging German armoured vehicles at close ranges with the PIAT personally destroying or helping to destroy half a dozen vehicles. By the 25th Sept Cain & his men had run out of ammo for their PIATs and he himself began using a 2in mortar, fired at high angle, to try and hold the enemy off. 

For his gallantry during the battle he was awarded the Victoria Cross, he was the only Arnhem VC recipient to survive the battle.

Here’s Cain’s VC citation in full:

“In Holland on 19th September, 1944, Major Cain was commanding a rifle company of the South Staffordshire Regiment during the Battle of Arnhem when his company was cut off from the rest of the battalion and during the next six days was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Germans made repeated attempts to break into the company position by infiltration and had they succeeded in doing so the whole situation of the Airborne Troops would have been jeopardised.

Major Cain, by his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable powers of leadership, was to a large extent personally responsible for saving a vital sector from falling into the hands of the enemy.

On 20th September a Tiger tank approached the area held by his company and Major Cain went out alone to deal with it armed with a Piat. Taking up a position he held his fire until the tank was only 20 yards away when he opened up. The tank immediately halted and turned its guns on him, shooting away a corner of the house near where this officer was lying. Although wounded by machine gun bullets and falling masonry, Major Cain continued firing until he had scored several direct hits, immobilised the tank and supervised the bringing up of a 75 mm. howitzer which completely destroyed it. Only then would he consent to have his wounds dressed.

In the next morning this officer drove off three more tanks by the fearless use of his Piat, on each occasion leaving cover and taking up position in open ground with complete disregard for his personal safety.

During the following days, Major Cain was everywhere where danger threatened, moving amongst his men and encouraging them by his fearless example to hold out. He refused rest and medical attention in spite of the fact that his hearing had been seriously impaired because of a perforated eardrum and he was suffering from multiple wounds.

On 25 September the enemy made a concerted attack on Major Cain's position, using self-propelled guns, flame throwers and infantry. By this time the last Piat had been put out of action and Major Cain was armed with only a light 2" mortar. However, by a skilful use of this weapon and his daring leadership of the few men still under his command, he completely demoralised the enemy who, after an engagement lasting more than three hours, withdrew in disorder.

Throughout the whole course of the Battle of Arnhem, Major Cain showed superb gallantry. His powers of endurance and leadership were the admiration of all his fellow officers and stories of his valour were being constantly exchanged amongst the troops. His coolness and courage under incessant fire could not be surpassed.”

You can read about more Victoria Cross actions and recipients here.

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The London Gazette, 31 October 1944 (source)