All ranks now exhausted - telegram is found
All ranks now exhausted': Desperate telegram that spelled end of A Bridge Too Far battle when 9,000 British paratroops launched bid to break into Germany is found
- Battle of Arnhem was biggest airborne operation in history at the time
- Allied troops were to seize eight bridges in German-held Dutch territory
- But it was to prove too much and Allies were overcome by enemy forces
- Now, the desperate telegram calling for reinforcements has come to light
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Interesting "find". I can't imagine being in that situation. Normally, even if there was a setback, the Allied forces were always moving forward. In this case, you had thousands of paratroopers just stuck in a rapidly deteriorating situation that eventually became hopeless. Sort of an airborne Gallipoli.
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
I have read the book and watched the movie at least 30 times. I have A Bridge Too Far in my collection. I often watch it when I'm sick and laid up on the couch.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company