700 soldiers from 8 NATO states, and many enthusiasts in replicas of planet War II uniforms, landed close Dutch Arnhem. It was a tribute to the paratroopers who had participated in planet War II's largest airborne operation – "Market Garden" 80 years earlier. The Poles played a key function in it.
Why am I doing this? It's a very emotional, individual story. On the 1 hand, we all pay tribute to the soldiers here. 1 The Parade Brigade on its own, boys who sacrificed so much to fight for freedom. On the another hand, the atmosphere in Driel acts like a magnet. erstwhile you walk around the airfield in Polish uniform and attract people's eyes, you feel like a hero for a while. I know that it may be snobbism, cutting off tickets from individual else's fame, but... at a time like this, a man is truly arrogant – says Maciej Grochowski, a paratrooper from Pathfinder Poland who came to Driel to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary ‘Market Garden’ operation. And like hundreds of another paratroopers, he gave up a jump to commemorate heroes years ago.
Grochowski jumped from the deck of the first Dakota aircraft, which 8 decades ago threw Allied soldiers into the Netherlands. On Sunday, the device appeared over Driel 3 times, and respective twelve jumpers jumped from its deck. Among them were 34 Poles, but besides Americans, British, Belgians, Dutch or Australians. – Among us was even Gurkha, who lived in Canada, who was wearing a uniform of 1 SBS – Grochowski recalls. “After all, Sunday was our Polish day...” he adds. The jump took place precisely where in September 1944 the main forces of the brigade commanded by General Stanisław Sosabowski.
80 years later Grochowski and his colleagues were wearing replicas of historical uniforms. Just as their predecessors utilized to jump with circular parachutes – faithful copies of those from planet War II. - Dakota comes out of the side door. The jumper is connected to the deck utilizing a static link. erstwhile it is outside the plane, the jerk opens the parachute – describes Matthew Frost, another passionate fellow who took part in the anniversary desolation. The impression that paratroopers agree is amazing. – The air stream created by the engine of the aircraft virtually throws the man backwards. For a long time, you fly horizontally, other the plane. And next to it, another jumpers decision in a akin way – says Grochowski. Only after a fewer good seconds, the paratrooper is “captured” by gravity and begins to decision toward the ground. “It’s tight in the air, it’s easy to run into someone, so you frequently gotta shout to your partners to keep them alert. Especially since the circular parachute drops very quickly. 100 m above the ground must be turned in the other direction to the wind, due to the fact that only in this way can you slow down a bit. And yet a man lands at a velocity of 5 m/s. In specified conditions, it is easy to get injured, and the level of adrenaline is truly high," Grochowski points out.
Film: Pathfinder Poland
During the ceremony in Driel Mroz he experienced specified emotions twice. He besides jumped from the Dakota deck a fewer days earlier, only in Overasselt close Grave. It was there during the “Market Garden” that the Americans landed and the second throw of Gen. Sosabowski's brigade. – Along with me 48 parachutists, including six Poles, jumped. We were expected to be more, but the last departure due to the weather was canceled. There was a strong wind. I myself landed outside the drop zone, on 1 of the streets of a close town – he admits. For Mroz the celebrations besides had a peculiar dimension due to household ties. During planet War II, his grandpa landed at Arnhem. He himself started skydiving just to worship him and though in a tiny part feel what he felt then. – specified jumping is always a immense experience for me. but up there, I effort not to think about it. I concentrate on not making a mistake – Mroz says – However, in the war cemetery in Arnhem-Oosterbeek, I have frequently lost a tear...
At the anniversary celebrations, however, they were jumping not only passionate about history. On Saturday, 700 soldiers from 8 NATO states landed on the Ginkelse moorlands in Ede. They utilized their work equipment and the aircraft they usage all day. Among the participants of the alleged memory jump were soldiers 6th Airborne Brigade in Krakow. The unit is named after Gen. Sosabowski. For Poles, participation in the ceremonies was the culmination of the “Falcon Leap” exercise, which was attended by sub-units from 12 NATO countries.
The circular anniversary of "Market Garden" was besides celebrated on the ground. During the weekend, the last surviving veterans of the operation, representatives of the Dutch royal family, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and American General Christopher Cavali, commander-in-chief of NATO forces in Europe, appeared at the Driel celebrations. There were many references to modern times in the occasional speeches. "The dramatic events of fresh years we have experienced in Europe have shown that allies stick together. And that's what alliances are for. We must stick together and build ties based on historical events," said General Cavali. In his speech, Prime Minister Schoof referred, among others, to the legacy of General Sosabowski's soldiers. “We treat their example as a mission today. The message to stand here and now in defence of freedom and values, which were fought for 80 years ago with specified dedication and determination," he emphasized.
Polish authorities represented Driel Lech Parell, Head of the Office for Combatants and Repressed Persons. As he explained, Prime Minister Donald Tusk was to arrive in the Netherlands, but in Poland he was stopped by a flood crisis in the south of the country. Parell read the speech the chief of government was going to make. "What happened here on 21 September 1944 went to legend in Poland. Under the individual command of General Sosabowski, Polish paratroopers landed close Driel, where they formed a foothold, which they fiercely defended for 4 long days, suffering dense losses. present Poland honors the soldiers fighting for your freedom and ours. The armed action of the parachute brigade became a symbol of the dedication and valor of the Polish soldier during planet War II, as well as the defence of Westerplatte in 1939 or the capture of Monte Cassino in 1944," wrote Tusk.
“Market Garden” is the largest air-desant operation of planet War II. It was attended by 85 1000 soldiers from large Britain, the USA, Canada and Poland (1st Parade Brigade under General Stanisław Sosabowski). The main goal of the Allies was to capture the key bridges on the Rhine, Waal and Mosli before Germany could blow them up, bypassing the heavy fortified Siegfried line from the north, yet occupying the Ruhra Basin – the industrial heart of the 3rd Reich. The implementation of this plan was to importantly accelerate the end of the war. However, the operation carried out in September 1944 failed. The Allies failed to take the key bridge at Arnhem, and the Germans yet managed to repel the strike.
