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| Paratroopers mark Arnhem battle | Paratroopers mark Arnhem battle |
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| Battle of Arnhem veterans watched as hundreds of soldiers parachuted over southern Holland, 65 years after the operation nicknamed "a bridge too far". | Battle of Arnhem veterans watched as hundreds of soldiers parachuted over southern Holland, 65 years after the operation nicknamed "a bridge too far". |
| After the display by 900 British, Dutch and US troops, veterans attended a memorial service. | After the display by 900 British, Dutch and US troops, veterans attended a memorial service. |
| The September 1944 battle saw 20,000 Allied soldiers dropped behind German lines to capture bridges. More than 1,500 British troops died. | The September 1944 battle saw 20,000 Allied soldiers dropped behind German lines to capture bridges. More than 1,500 British troops died. |
| Major John Merrylees, of 4 Para, called Saturday's display "quite a spectacle." | Major John Merrylees, of 4 Para, called Saturday's display "quite a spectacle." |
| He described conditions for the jump as "perfect", but warned "fewer and fewer" veterans were able to attend such services." | He described conditions for the jump as "perfect", but warned "fewer and fewer" veterans were able to attend such services." |
| The next thing I knew I woke up and there were three German soldiers in the cellar looking at me George Barton, Arnhem veteran class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8264645.stm">In pictures: Arnhem commemoration | |
| The operation, the brainchild of British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, was commemorated in the 1977 Hollywood film A Bridge Too Far. | The operation, the brainchild of British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, was commemorated in the 1977 Hollywood film A Bridge Too Far. |
| Arnhem veteran George Barton, 89, from Slough, Berkshire described how he came be captured during the operation: "The anti-tank gun I was looking after was hit by a tree that fell from above and put it out of action. "I went to tell my colonel and by the time I came back my men had gone - I didn't know where they were. | Arnhem veteran George Barton, 89, from Slough, Berkshire described how he came be captured during the operation: "The anti-tank gun I was looking after was hit by a tree that fell from above and put it out of action. "I went to tell my colonel and by the time I came back my men had gone - I didn't know where they were. |
| "We hadn't eaten properly for days, so I went off looking for food." | "We hadn't eaten properly for days, so I went off looking for food." |
| He added: "I found a greengrocer's shop - it had a cellar and in it were sacks and sacks of apples. | He added: "I found a greengrocer's shop - it had a cellar and in it were sacks and sacks of apples. |
| "Having gorged myself I must have fallen asleep and the next thing I knew I woke up and there were three German soldiers in the cellar looking at me." | "Having gorged myself I must have fallen asleep and the next thing I knew I woke up and there were three German soldiers in the cellar looking at me." |
| Mr Barton was held in prisoner of war camps until being freed in April 1945. | Mr Barton was held in prisoner of war camps until being freed in April 1945. |
| On Sunday Prince Philip and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth will attend a memorial service at Oosterbeek Cemetery, near the site of the battle. | On Sunday Prince Philip and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth will attend a memorial service at Oosterbeek Cemetery, near the site of the battle. |
| Schoolchildren will place flowers on the graves of Allied soldiers killed in the action. | Schoolchildren will place flowers on the graves of Allied soldiers killed in the action. |
| But with the number of survivors dwindling it has been suggested this year's events could be the last commemoration of the battle. | But with the number of survivors dwindling it has been suggested this year's events could be the last commemoration of the battle. |