Arnhem 80 | 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

The route will pass through the following locations linked to Operation MARKET and/or local military aviation heritage.

Tinwell - On 8th July 1944, as part of the Polish Independent Parachute Brigade’s training schedule, 369 paratroopers from the brigade were planned to be parachuted from 33 C-47 Skytrains of the US 315th Transport Carrier Group onto a drop zone at RAF Wittering. Tragically two C47 Skytrain aircraft collided resulting in both planes crashing in the meadows by the river Welland at Tinwell. In all 26 Polish Paratroopers and 8 American aircrew were killed, with only 1 survivor. A memorial to those killed is in All Saints’ Church.

Easton-on-the-Hill - 1st Polish Parachute Battalion and Signals Company


Stamford School - elements of Medical Company (Here we will attend an 80th Anniversary event)

Rock House, Stamford - Headquarters Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

RAF Saltby - US 314th Troop Carrier Group flew parachute elements of: 2nd Parachute Battalion, 3rd Parachute Battalion and 16 Parachute Field Ambulance to Arnhem on 17th September 1944; 11th Parachute Battalion, 156th Parachute Battalion and 133 Parachute Field Ambulance to Arnhem on 18th September; Headquarters 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, 2nd Polish Parachute Battalion, 3rd Polish Parachute Battalion, and other Polish elements to Driel on 21st September.

RAF Spanhoe - US 315th Troop Carrier Group - Flew parachute elements of: US 82nd Airborne Division to Nijmegen on the 17th; Headquarters 4th Parachute Brigade, 10th Parachute Battalion, 4th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers and part of 133 Parachute Field Ambulance to Arnhem on 18th September 1944; 1st Polish Parachute Battalion, and other Polish elements to Driel on 21st September.

Blatherwycke - Anti-Tank Battery and elements of Medical Company

RAF Kingscliffe

Wansford - 2nd Polish Parachute Battalion and Engineer Company

This September marks the anniversary 80th Anniversary of Operation MARKET GARDEN. The audacious plan to shorten the war by seizing key bridges in the Netherlands by an airborne operation by the First Allied Airborne Army (Operation MARKET) in order to enable a rapid advance into the Netherlands by the British 2nd Army (Operation GARDEN). The British 1st Airborne Division, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and the 52nd Wing of the US IX Troop Carrier Command were based in and around the area and elements of the US 82nd Airborne Division (based in neighbouring Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire) flew to the Netherlands from local airfields. There will be intent three cycle rides to commemorate the Anniversary. Each ride will focus on one of 1st Airborne Division’s parachute brigades and their departure airfields of their parachute elements on the anniversary of their deployments. This ride focuses on the Headquarters of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, the majority of whom deployed on the 21st September 1944. It will pass through some of their base locations, the areas they trained in, and their departure airfields.

The ride takes place on public roads. These are largely quiet country lanes; but, it does include some short steep climbs and some sections of busier roads.

We are planning to stop at a couple of cafés for short breaks during the ride.

You should bring yourself, a serviceable bike, and some basic tools to fix any minor mechanical issues. Helmets are advisable as is a form of payment for the café.