C Company, 3 Para Route to Arnhem Railway Line

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by Drew5233, Aug 11, 2022.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Does anyone know the exact route C Company took to the bridge and where they were captured?

    My mate is taking his wife there in a couple of days and wants to walk the route her grandfather took before he was captured.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
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  2. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

  3. L. Allen

    L. Allen Member

    In the War Diaries of the Para Squadrons at the bridge there were at least 15 men of C Coy, 3rd Para Bn including the Company Commander and another Platoon (No.8 iirc) located across the road from them. I believe they separated from the Bn and took a route over the high ground to the left of the railway just before the Germans arrived there to stop the rest of the Bn. They then circled down and made contact with the Engineers located in the girls school on the eastern side of the road bridge.

    The Location marked on the Map above of C Coy being captured is from the 2nd Para Bn who had been guarding the railway bridge and were later ordered to move to the road bridge but where surrounded and captured on route.
     
  4. L. Allen

    L. Allen Member

    `
    The Brigade Commander and the Battalion Commander came to
    "C" Company's position and I was told to find a way round to the ARNHEM Bridge by the NORTH and get there with my Company at all costs.



    I proceeded with my Company up a side road which led to the Railway Line as I thought this might not be protected. At the junction of track and Railway Line 9 Platoon (Lieut. Wright) came under fire from an enemy vehicle which quickly withdrew. Two more half tracks and an ammunition wagon were ambushed by this Platoon and set on fire. 7 Platoon (Lieut. Hibburt) attacked a half track which came up in their rear and set it on fire; the total casualties from this action were five Other Ranks.



    On reaching the Railway, I gave the men a rest and then proceeded towards the town. We arrived in ARNHEM Station at Midnight 17/18th approx. It was a fairly dark night so I marched the Company through the town to the main square where we encountered enemy soldiers in transport. I told the leading Platoon, 8 Platoon (Lieut. Infield) not to engage the enemy or make a hostile move as I thought they might think we also were Germans: they did, and I marched the Company on the rest of the way to the Bridge. We had captured two prisoners on the outskirts of the town, one being an officer, and at this point, the officer escaped and warned the enemy that reinforcements had reached the bridge.



    On reaching the bridge I went forward with my "O" Group and met Lieut. Buchanan, I.O. of the 2nd Battalion, who instructed me where to put my Platoons. 8 Platoon were to go to an important Cross Roads just NORTH WEST of the bridge and the remainder of the Company in some school buildings just NORTH of and overlooking the Bridge. I sent the Platoon Commanders back to move their Platoons. 8 Platoon moved off and I have since heard, reached their area and fought for some days. 7 Platoon (Lieut. Hibburt) I never saw or heard of again. Lieut. Wright later turned up with half his Platoon and told me that there had been a fight and some of his men had been killed and others captured. We occupied the school buildings and prepared them for defence.
    `

    Personal account of Major Peter Lewis, C Coy IC, 3rd Para

    Major Peter Lewis
     
  5. L. Allen

    L. Allen Member

    Reading the various accounts it seems C Coy went over the railroad and followed a road (3rd Class, if thats important?) running parallel to it till they reached Arnhem station, then walked down the main street towards the bridge where they found the Para Engineers at the School. While the O group made contact with the RE men No.7 Plt was ambushed by the germans and taken prisoner almost entirely along with some men from No.9 Plt.

    No.8 Plt, Coy HQ and the O.Rs of No.9 Plt were taken prisoner around the school the same day the bridge fell.

    I hope this helps.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2022

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