Operation Market Garden eventually saw the unit sent into action in support of the British 1st Airborne Division at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944.

The Poles suffered significant casualties during the next few days of fighting, but still were able, by their presence, to cause about 2,500 German troops to be diverted to deal with them for fear of their supporting the remnants of the 1st Airborne trapped over the lower Rhine in Oosterbeek.

Some of the Polish paratroopers, including Stanisław Kulik,[2] managed to get across the Rhine to support the 1st Airborne, but when the retreat order came there were not enough boats to get everyone back across.

It was finally based in Lincolnshire, close to RAF Spitalgate (Grantham) where it continued training until its eventual departure for Europe after D-Day.

The British units which were supposed to cover the landing zone were in a bad situation and out of radio contact with the main Allied forces.

With great difficulty and under German fire from the heights of Westerbouwing on the north bank of the river, the 8th Parachute Company and, later, additional troops from 3rd Battalion, managed to cross the Rhine in two attempts.

They were hidden in various houses in the towns and villages, or in huts or makeshift dens in the woods, for about a month until they were rescued in Operation Pegasus on 22 October 1944.

Shortly after the war, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands wanted to honour the Parachute Brigade and wrote her government a request.

[5] More than 61 years after World War II, the Brigade was awarded the Military Order of William on 31 May 2006 for its distinguished and outstanding acts of bravery, skill and devotion to duty during Operation Market Garden.