THE skies above Arnhem were full of parachutes again yesterday — 80 years after brave British troops made the same jump during World War Two.
An audience of more than 100,000 people watched as 700 paratroopers from eight Nato countries, including the UK and US, descended near to the Dutch city.
The landing in Ginkel Heath, made from a fleet of aircraft, was part of an emotional day commemorating the events of the 1944 Battle of Arnhem, which had been part of Operation Market Garden.
Ten thousand British soldiers had been among the Allied troops to land in the war-torn Netherlands in September 1944 in a bid to secure three bridges over the River Rhine from the Nazis.
But the battle ended in failure with only 2,000 of the British troops returning — the rest killed or taken prisoner by the enemy.
Yesterday, Princess Anne spoke with the one surviving Brit from the mission in attendance — 99-year-old Geoff Roberts.
Private Roberts, who served with the 7th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, told the Princess Royal, who was representing King Charles, that he had been back to Arnhem more than 60 times since the war to pay his respects to those killed.
She told him: “Thank you for coming back so often.”
The King, who is still recovering from his cancer treatment, said in a statement: “It is with a deep sense of gratitude and humility that we remember all those in the British, Allied and Commonwealth forces who served and died fighting for our freedom.
“Let us also remember those magnificently courageous members of the Dutch resistance and gallant civilians who endured so much during the Second World War.”
UK Army Chief General Sir Roly Walker was among the 90 paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team to jump, with the Red Devils also taking part.
He said of his involvement: “I was honoured and humbled to parachute into Ginkel Heath alongside British and Nato troops.
“We are fortunate our Allies then remain our Allies today.
“Together we stand resolute to defend the freedom won in blood by so many brave young men and women.”
Defence minister Lord Vernon Coaker also attended the events and said remembering the past can help with handling present conflicts.
He added: “I’ve been speaking with the head of the army of the Netherlands about how important the relationship is between the UK and the Netherlands today in that fight against Ukraine.
“The best honour we can do in remembering the sacrifice of the past is to defend freedom and democracy today.”
