Cadets from 413 (Aldershot), 2407 (Yateley) and 1098 (Gosport) Squadrons took part in the ‘Airborne ‘Wandeltocht March’ at Oosterbeek, near Arnhem, in Holland on the weekend of 5th and 6th September. The march has been held every year since 1947 and is now the largest one day march in Europe with over 30,000 participants. The purpose of the march is to commemorate Operation Market Garden, the battle for Arnhem and Oosterbeek in September 1944. The Dutch people refer to it as their ‘Liberation March’.

The cadets prepared to go on the march

The 25 cadets, aged between 15 and 18 years and all members distances of 10, 15 or 25 kilometres according to their ability. Each received a commemorative medallion to mark their success.

During the weekend stay in Holland the cadets were given a guided tour of the battle ground. This included visiting the parachute and glider dropping zones, the Arnhem ‘John Frost’ Bridge, the airborne cemetery and the house where General Urqhart hid from German troops during the battle.

Cadets lay a wreath at the Airborne Cemetry

Cadets from Aldershot have been taking part in this march for over 14 years and plan to keep doing so. Further information about the March can be found at www.airbornewandeltocht.nl/home

Background to Operation Market Garden

Following the D Day landing in Normandy in June 1944 the allies defeated the German forces in France and were advancing quickly across Europe. When they reached the border with Holland an audacious plan was put into operation to end the war before Christmas. That plan was Operation Market Garden. Airborne Forces from the UK and US were to secure the main river bridges in Holland allowing an armoured column to advance quickly across these bridges and reach Germany from the south and bring an early end to the war. All the bridges were captured except for the one at Arnhem where only one end could be secured. German forces reacted quickly and brought in reinforcements to slow down the advancing armoured column. The Arnhem bridge was held for 4 days before the Germans overrun the airborne soldiers there. The rest of the airborne forces held on surrounded by the enemy in the Oosterbeek area near Arnhem . Aircraft dropped ammunition and food supplies to them. RAF pilot Flt Lt David Lord won a posthumous Victoria Cross during such a re-supply mission flying an unarmed Dakota. Sadly the armoured column was not able to reach Oosterbeek so after 9 days of bitter fighting the airborne soldiers withdrew leaving behind many dead, wounded and prisoners of war. Of 10,000 that flew in, only 2,000 returned.