Nato troops parachute into the Netherlands for Arnhem 80

Hundreds of military personnel parachute into the Netherlands to commemorate the 80th anniversary of The Battle of Arnhem, known as Operation Market Garden.

Watch our live coverage from Drop Zone “Y” on Ginkel Heath.

Start time is subject to change

[garywagner]

Very well presented. Anyone who has visited that area has seen the open country, the dense cities, and how well cared for the cemeteries and memorials are. The Dutch remember.

[NeilMaloney-ok]

My father was in the first parachute wave, he was a radio operator in the Royal Signals attached to the `red berets`. He was captured after 24 hours trying to get to the Bridge. Luckily he was not injured but spent 7 or 8 months in a prison camp. He was in a camp called Fallingbostel and remembers a new group of prisoners arriving escorted of course by German soldiers. The prisoners came to halt at the main gate and fell into formation and marched into the camp and in formation saluted the prisoners there, the guards did not know what to do.The soldiers were Red Berets. My father told me that story 60 years ago.

[Nickel]

Lest we forget. Outstanding courage of all these men 80 years ago. Heroes every one. ❤🇬🇧

[carldowd]

Lest we Forget... I remember jumping in to Ginkel Heath at the age of 22 in 1978 and then being transported to the Bridge to talk and mix with the then Vets... They spoke, we listened..! Some of these guys at that time were in their 50s and for them it was like yesterday..! Very moving... I felt privileged to jump in commemoration and to meet these Vets who were 'Tigers' in their day... U P

[corjp]

To all who servred in those days and is still alive a VERY BIG THANK YOU for your service, effort and sacrifice for us to live in freedom. To all who lost their lives in those days I thank you in all of my prayers for your sacrefice and will always remember what you gave up for us. 🙏🙏❤❤

[corjp]

The last part got me by surprise.... BEAUTIFUL para jump, the Union Jack and the fireworks.... GREAT DISPLAY!!!! Thanks UK.

[wilfredstinissen]

Thank you for broadcasting. Lest we forget!

[mikewain]

We were cycling near Driel for reasons completely unconnected and also saw the planes go over very low, like our own free airshow. We also saw the displays in the village about how the Polish Parachute brigade liberated them and then (most unfairly) were made to take the blame for the failure, which the village is still clearly very passionate about.

[samipso]

I heard prop planes so I look outside and see all these cargo planes come by.

[NickyDekker]

I was driving on the road in the middle of the country when these bad boys flew over 💪 they were REALLY low flying over the houses, like I could almost wave to the pilots lol

[JoachimPeetu]

Das war sehr interessant besonders weil mein Enkel mitgesprungen ist bin stolz auf ihn

[Optikification]

The small chute is known as the drone chute and it does indeed pulls out the main chute.

[JR]

Rolls-Royce Merlin, the sound of freedom!

[andykettle]

I have been fascinated with the actual history of this battle for more than 40 years and by extention the history of airborne ops since watching A Bridge Too Far as a child (which does have its inaccuracies). Luckily enough, my father was later posted to RAF Laarbruch, Germany, which isn't far from site of the battle and visited Arnhem and it's environs on a number of occasions during my time there.

[sharonpierucci]

I attended the 35th anniversary. My parents used to attend the anniversary every year. My dad would visit Major General Frost every year together with ex para's, 2nd Battalion. He was redirected to the Far East instead of Arnhem. We had amazing times at Aldershot Airborne Forces weekend held every year.

[gclark]

Thank you BFBS for broadcasting this, which the main stream British media didn't.
All immigrants in the UK should be made to watch this and realise the sacrifices that the brave veterans made so that they can live comfortably in the UK.

[JayMac-ghkx]

Green on mucker lots of memories from a oldswet my self an ex'service AB ALL THE WAY BROTHER FROM A EX'PARA!! An ex'2para vet. I had 4'uncle's who was in this rade an only 2came out of arnhem we will remember them!! See u on the DZ

[DavidJohnson-rjzu]

Very nice to see, bit surprised with the “bosch” being included as they
represented the enemy at the time who were responsible for many allied troops demise, and to make it worse the new Defence Minister, god help us.

[geniawheddon]

Bravesst boys, good moral chaps we lost. God bless u

[marcelrenes]

Dutchie here: we will never forget what the UK, USA, Canada, Poland and some French units did to liberate our country. As a mayor (presidentof a town) said. You can't explain properly the horrors what it means to be occupied, but you'll never forget the ones who liberated you. That why we warned you of Brexit. We Dutchies said 'don't do it!' Not because were are you're European enemies but because you are our friends. ❤