#OTD 75 years ago, the Allies launched Operation Anger, the last truly combined operation of the NW Europe campaign. The next 3 days saw the final liberation of Arnhem by the 49th (West Riding) Division, supported by 5th Canadian Armoured Division, the RAF & the Royal Navy. 1/10

Arnhem was protected by rivers, the Nederrijn to the south and the IJsssel to the east. Rather than try to cross the Nederijn as in 1944, the Allies would initially attack across the Ijssel from Westervoort, captured after Operation Plunder the previous month. 2/10

To cross the River Ijssel on the night of the 12th, the 49th Division used Storm Boats and Buffalos of The Ontario Regiment. Here they prepare for the crossing, hidden from the German’s view by the high dyke around Westervoort. Pathe. 3/10

The RAF made unceasing air strikes in the days before the operation commenced. On the 12th, no less than 119 Spitfire and Typhoon sorties were made softening up targets on the riverbanks and in the town itself. IWM Film:OPT437. 4/10

The assault crossing on the night of 12/13 April did not go entirely to plan. The Buffaloes were unable to deploy effectively to transport the infantry across the IJssel, so Royal Navy landing craft operated a ferry service across the river. Pathe. 5/10

As soon as the crossing of the Ijssel was made, more landing craft sprang into action, transporting prefabricated sections of Bailey Bridge towards the crossing site. 12 hours after the assault began, the bridge was complete and armour was crossing the river. IWM A28059. 6/10

147th Infantry Brigade travelled separately, transported by 45 landing craft of the Royal Navy's 509, 660, 661 & 662 LCA & LCM flotillas. Here the infantry are seen embarking on LCMs & LCAs at Nijmegen, prior to their journey up the Waal and then down the Nederijn. Pathe. 7/10

By the 15th, German forces had been almost completely cleared from the town, bringing the operation to an end. It was perhaps too late for Arnhem though, which had been almost completely destroyed in the 7 months since Operation Market Garden in September 1944. Pathe. 8/10

To find out more, there's a good 3 minute Pathe News special that can be seen here, including most of the footage above with an audio commentary to accompany it. 9/10

There’s a pretty good article on the liberation of Arnhem on Wikipedia too (I can say that because I wrote it!). I had planned to be in Arnhem this weekend for the 75th anniversary commemorations, but of course remembrance can be done at any time. 10/10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Arnhem

PS. @stockotrader!