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Bittrich

German blunders during the Battle of Arnhem

in Epilogue
Soldiers of the 10th SS Armored Division cross the Pannerdens Canal in motor boats with (stolen) bicycles to defend the Waal Bridge near Nijmegen. (Photo: Federal Archives.)

When it comes to the mistakes made during the Battle of Arnhem, it is often only about the British blunders. And rightly so, because there are quite a few. What receives much less attention is that a few major mistakes were also made on the German side during the course of the fighting. Waal Bridge…

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“Alarm! Paratroopers!” The 9th and 10th SS Armored Divisions immediately spring into action

in Oosterbeek/September 17
An armored car of the SDKFZ 250/3 type is deployed against British paratroopers near Oosterbeek. (Photo: Federal Archives.)

Even before all British troops had landed west of Wolfheze on Sunday, September 17, the troops of the German 9th and 10 SS Armored Divisions had already been alerted. To immediately clear up a major misunderstanding: the two armored divisions stationed near Arnhem had almost no tanks and mechanical artillery. Combined, the two divisions only…

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After the landings: the Germans react very quickly

in September 17
Scherl Bilderdienst Westen, September 1944, Anglo-amerikanischer Umfassungsplan bei Arnheim gescheitert. Grenadiere des Heeres, Männer der Polizei, Fallschirmjäger und SS-Panzergrenadiere vernichten gemeinsam die 1. britische Luftlande-Division, die durch die Niederlande in das Reichsgebiet einzubrechen versuchte. SS-PK Pospesch

Even before the airborne landings at Wolfheze on the first day of Operation Market Garden had properly started, the Germans were already taking countermeasures. Surprise is an important weapon of airborne troops. But at Arnhem there was no surprise at all. Operation Market Garden started in Arnhem and the surrounding area in the morning. Dozens…

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Wilhelm Bittrich: the “chivalrous” SS General

in Main characters
During the Battle of Arnhem, General Wilhelm Bittrich consults with Field Marshal Walter Model (left), colonel Harzer (9th SS Armored Division) and General Harmel (10th SS Armored Division.) (Photo: Budesarchiv.)

SS General Wilhelm Bittrich, Willi for friends, was the general who led the 9th and 10th SS Armored Division who were stationed in the Arnhem region when Operation Market Garden started. In his role of commander of the 2nd SS Armored Corps, which included the 9th and 10th Armored Divisions, Bittrich was the first German…

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Myth: “The Germans had dozens of tanks in Arnhem”

in Myths
Broken German column near Falaise.

There are still many myths circulating about the Battle of Arnhem. One of those myths is that on the first day Operation Market Garden, the Germans had dozens of tanks near Arnhem. The lightly armed British troops were no match for that. On Sunday September 17 1944, the first day of Operation Market Garden, two…

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