0917_10: The Irish Guards Leading - PzC 10 Market Garden '44

Neerpelt Bridgehead, near the Dutch-Belgian border, Sept 17th 1944: Gen Horrocks said "Gentlemen, this is a story you'll tell our grandchildren". The quiet of the past week came to an end as the guns of XXX Corps opened fire from positions south of the bridgehead. At the same time, elements of the Guards Armoured Division moved up in columns to their start line pointing down the narrow highway to Valkenswaard. XXX Corps' job was to punch a hole in the line and then "drive like hell up the road, Col. Vandeleur and the Irish Guards leading." Speed was absolutely vital, for this plan called for the tanks to reach the 1st Airborne in Arnhem, 64 mile behind the lines, within 48 hours."! [Size medium]