Far to the south, Kampfgruppe Heinke was soon in action against XXX Corps' Guards Armoured Division as it pushed up the main road towards Eindhoven. Artillery barrages and air strikes smashed the German paratroopers defending the road, and when the Waffen-SS Panzerjöger IVs tried to help, several were knocked out. British Shermans were soon streaming northwards.

Heavy fighting at Arnhem

Heavy fighting now raged all around Arnhem as Harzer threw more and more troops into action to stop the British establishing a firm base. Speed of response was more important than strength or coordination. It was imperative that the British be denied the chance to establish themselves in firm positions. The battle for Arnhem bridge burst into life on the morning of the 18th, when the British paratroopers heard a column of tracked armoured vehicles approaching. Waffen-SS armoured halftracks, Puma armoured cars, Volkswagen jeeps and Graebner's captured British Humber scout car raced over Arnhem bridge at 48kmh (30mph), with Waffen-SS troopers training their machine guns and rifles on the high buildings overlooking the elevated highway.Two vehicles got across the bridge unscathed and then the British Paras opened fire. Machine guns, mortars, PIAT bazookas, Sten guns and rifles raked the column. One halftrack took a direct hit and veered out of control before turning over. Other vehicles crashed into each other, effectively blocking the road. Two vehicles tumbled over the side of the elevated road. A handful of Waffen-SS men in the tangled wreckage tried to return fire. For almost two hours the carnage continued, until at last the remnants of Graebner's force pulled back to safety at the southern edge of the bridge, leaving 12 wrecked vehicles behind.

prev | next