Hartenstein Hotel / Operation Market/Garden Arnhem september 1944

After the Normandy landings in June 1944, the Allies planned an invasion of German territory to end the war as soon as possible. Operation "Market Garden", conceived by Bernard Montgomery, involved bypassing German defences by deploying British, American and Polish airborne troops. The paratroopers were to capture bridges in the Netherlands between Eindhoven and Arnhem to secure Allied access routes to Germany. However, strong German resistance and the Allies' inability to cross the Rhine endangered the operation, causing it to fail. The war was prolonged, requiring months more fighting before the Allies entered Germany. Hartenstein served as the hub of operations during Operation Market Garden and was used as headquarters for the British 1st Airborne Division.