WWII Historical RECAPTURE of Arnhem Bridge too Far | Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts

This dark picture could fortunately be lit up a little. For the Netherlands, in particular the western part, this was the worst possible scenario. The Chief of Staff at the Supreme Commander’s HQ thought this bridgehead could be established some time in April and that the low lying northwestern area was next in turn. The motto of London was loud and clear: Only maintaining the initiative will bring us victory and so, we are going to cross the Rhine as soon as possible and then, in one fluid movement out of a strong bridgehead, we will make the jump, over 217 miles long, to the River Elbe.

In all their plans, the starving nation was literally left at the wayside, the military turning their backs on her. All military capacity, in particular the logistic element was deployed to strike deep and fast into the heart of Germany.

The highest policy makers with the loyal military commanders in their wake were focused entirely on the effective defeat of Berlin.

To Allied strategists, this was no reason to rearrange their priorities for the destruction of Nazi Germany. A large part of the Dutch population was fighting for its life at that time and: 'you had to stand in line to be buried,' as a manner of speech. 'Food tourists' and 'bread thieves', those were daily words in the famine winter of 1944-1945.

WWII Historical RECAPTURE of Arnhem Bridge too Far | Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts