British troops and Locals Memorial, Sint Michielsgestel
There is much erudite discussion about whether Operation Market Garden was a success or a failure. Certainly, the prime objective - to outflank the German defences along the River Rhine (& end the war by Christmas!) - was not achieved. While only one bridge of those planned to be captured by the airborne troops was not taken - the one at Arnhem (the Bridge too Far') - and the ground advance came to a stop, fighting between Arnhem in the north and Nijmegen in the south, an area that became known as The Island, went on for the rest of 1944. However, large areas of Holland were taken and many V2 launch sites were captured. Fighting continued until 7 November and liberated more than 800 square kms south of the River Maas.This Memorial commemorates the Liberation of Sint Michielsgestel by the 1st Northants/7th Black Watch on 23 October 1944
