#Arnhem76
Day 10 - The final hours.
Tuesday 26th September 1944.
Operation Berlin - the evacuation across the Rhine of the remnants of 1st Airborne Division ends with daybreak on this day 76 years ago.

Approximately 2400 had men returned across the Rhine. 1485 men had died. 6525 men had been either captured or were missing. Those who came over where quickly moved south towards Nijmegen.

Here are a few 'then and now' images of Arnhem and Oosterbeek in the aftermath of the fighting. The wreckage of Battle was everywhere. This is in the area fought over by 1/Borders along Van Borsselenweg in Oosterbeek.

A 1st Airborne Recce Squadron Jeep opposite the Division's HQ at the Hartenstein Hotel in Oosterbeek.

The Jeep of Lt. John Christie of 1st Airborne Recce Squadron by the Klein Hartenstein in Oosterbeek. John Christie died of his wounds after the Jeep was hit.

At the Church in Oosterbeek near the Regimental Aid Post of the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment Royal Artillery.

Outside of St. Elisabeth's Hospital in Arnhem.

Finally, the northern ramp that lead on to the Arnhem Road Bridge. The houses around the ramp where those occupied by Frost's men during the fighting there.

The first British soldier up those steps was Lance Sergeant Bill Fulton of the 2nd Parachute Battalion. He was shot and wounded on the pavement near the top of the steps.

Last year we had the great pleasure of escorting Bill's widow, Emily to Arnhem for the annual commemoration.

Those commemorations have taken place every September since 1945. The Flower Children of today following in the footsteps of their Parents and Grandparents.
( IWM )

The Veterans return every year but their numbers become fewer with each September that passes.

This year, among others we lost Jeffrey Noble of the 156 Parachute Battalion.
( John O'Reilly/Will Stark)

In 2020 though we've also wished a happy 100th Birthday to John Waddy of the 156 Battalion and Wilf Oldham of 1/Borders.

For those men who never came home and await our return, I'll end with this. We will meet again.