Wiesbaden High School Cadets Witness 80th Commemoration of Operation Market Garden in Arnhem
This past weekend, a small group of Wiesbaden High School Junior ROTC cadets, along with three chaperones, traveled to Arnhem, Netherlands, to witness the 80th commemoration and reenactment of Operation Market Garden.
Operation Market Garden was a two-pronged offensive aimed at accelerating the Allied invasion of Nazi Germany by securing key crossings and gaining access to the Rhine River. It remains the largest airborne operation ever conducted, involving paratroopers from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, the British 1st Airborne Division, and the 1st Polish Independent Airborne Brigade. Despite their efforts, the operation ultimately failed.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, approximately 700 paratroopers from the Dutch Air Mobile and 12 other NATO countries took part in a two-wave drop over Ginkel Heath to commemorate the daring yet unsuccessful airborne assault. The event drew more than 60,000 spectators.
In remembrance of the fallen, a memorial service was held at the cemetery in nearby Oosterbeek. The ceremony, which included the laying of wreaths, was opened by Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and concluded by Geoff Roberts, a 99-year-old veteran who had the honor of placing the final wreath. Approximately 800 children also participated, laying flowers at the gravesites of fallen soldiers.
