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Polish anti-tank units deployed around British headquarters

The Netherlands

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The anti-tank units that landed on 18 and 19 September 1944 were deployed along the Oranjeweg road. Their purpose was to support the British troops there in the fight against the advancing German soldiers.

Deployment of anti-tank units: The plan
The original plan was that the Polish anti-tank units - which landed by glider on the north side of the Rhine river - would join the Polish main force that was to land by parachute south of the Rhine bridge. Some of the gun crews also travelled in the gliders alongside their equipment, whilst some were to land by parachute. Until then, the pilots of the gliders would help the Polish gun crews.

Changing plans
In fact, the Polish soldiers who landed by glider on 18 September 1944 were ordered to deploy their guns around the intersection of the Oranjeweg and Utrechtseweg roads, near Hartenstein. Three pieces were positioned near the junction. One a little further north and one a little further west on Sonnenberglaan road. The British units had a heavier piece deployed here that could take the Utrechtseweg towards Arnhem under fire from the field (where the ‘De Naald’ Monument now stands).