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Service marks Arnhem anniversary | Service marks Arnhem anniversary |
(about 6 hours later) | |
A service to commemorate the 65th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II has been held in Coventry. | |
Thousands of troops were captured or killed during the Battle of Arnhem as the Allies tried in vain to capture eight bridges. | Thousands of troops were captured or killed during the Battle of Arnhem as the Allies tried in vain to capture eight bridges. |
A memorial service has taken place at War Memorial Park. | |
Arnhem veterans and representatives of the SAS Association and the Airborne Association were due to attend. | |
Coventry's Lord Mayor Jack Harrison said: "We should never forget the sacrifices that were made and the lives that were lost. | Coventry's Lord Mayor Jack Harrison said: "We should never forget the sacrifices that were made and the lives that were lost. |
"It's acts of bravery like this that give us the good fortune to live in the democratic and multicultural society that we have today." | "It's acts of bravery like this that give us the good fortune to live in the democratic and multicultural society that we have today." |
Hundreds of deaths | Hundreds of deaths |
Operation Market Garden, jointly planned with US forces, was launched on 17 September 1944. | Operation Market Garden, jointly planned with US forces, was launched on 17 September 1944. |
Its aim was to gain control over eight bridges along the German-Dutch border, clearing the way for an Allied advance into northern Germany. | Its aim was to gain control over eight bridges along the German-Dutch border, clearing the way for an Allied advance into northern Germany. |
British paratroopers were deliberately dropped eight miles from the bridges, but it was impossible for them to reach their target before the Germans were tipped off. | British paratroopers were deliberately dropped eight miles from the bridges, but it was impossible for them to reach their target before the Germans were tipped off. |
More than 16,500 paratroopers and 3,500 troops in gliders were dropped into Arnhem. | More than 16,500 paratroopers and 3,500 troops in gliders were dropped into Arnhem. |
Nearly 6,000 from the 1st Airborne Division were captured, 1,174 killed. Almost 1,900 men escaped. | Nearly 6,000 from the 1st Airborne Division were captured, 1,174 killed. Almost 1,900 men escaped. |
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