Ginkel Heath Landing Zone Marker, Holland
The simple marker is on what was designated during Operation Market Garden as Drop Zone Y, the furthest away from the bridge at Arnhem which was the objective for the airborne assault. General Urquahart commanding the assault would have preferred to have dropped closer to the bridge, perhaps even to have landed directly on top of and around it, in order to maximise the major value of airborne forces - surprise - but was persuaded that German anti-aircraft guns would destroy tugs and gliders before they could land and that anyway the ground was too soft. As a result his troops had to start out for their target from here, 10 kms away across German occupied territory. This drop zone (the area visible behind the marker, was not used on the 17 September but was used on the 18th for the second lift of aircraft for the 4th Parachute Brigade (10th, 11th and 156th Battalions). The area had been occupied the day before by the 7th KOSB who had landed about 4 kms away on LZ S'. Ceremonies are held here each year on the nearest Saturday to the 17th of September
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156th Airborne Anti-aircraft Anyway Arnhem Battalions Ceremonies Closer Commanding Designated Destroy Directly Drop Dropped Failed Furthest Ginkel Gliders Landed Lift Marker Maximise Nearest Objective Parachute Perhaps Persuaded Preferred Result Soft Target Tugs Value Visible
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