The Pittsburgh Press (September 22, 1944)
AIR ARMY’S PLIGHT CRITICAL
Sky troopers hold out in patch of hell
Secret courage keeps ‘em going, writer says
By Alan Wood, representing combined Allied press
This is one of the first dispatches from the “pocket” in Holland in which British troops of the 1st Allied Airborne Army are surrounded by the Germans.
With airborne troops in Arnhem area (UP) – (9:00 a.m. CET)
It’s a nasty morning – cold and misty – and the Germans are plastering us plentifully with mortars and big guns. Machine guns have just opened up on the right.
In this patch of hell, our men are holding the few civilian houses that still stand.
An old lady in black stumbled out of one of them a few minutes ago, and a British soldier ran out and put his arm around her. She collapsed, and he carried her down to safety in a cellar.
It is now just five days and five nights – sleepless – since we flew out from England. God knows from what secret source of strength these fighting men have drawn the courage which has kept them going.
Only one thing is certain – they will keep going until the British 2nd Army gets here.
Yesterday, the Germans brought up loudspeakers and called on us to surrender. A bunch of glider pilots yelled their heads off swearing abuse at the enemy in reply.
More and more of our secondary guns are coming into action on the other side of the river (north branch of the Rhine toward which the British 2nd Army is advancing). They have just knocked out with a direct hit a German Mark IV tank coming to attack us. We don’t know exactly where the bulk of the 2nd Army is, but we will be here and ready when they come.
Dakota transport planes flying through a flak barrage dropped more supplies this evening, right here where we wanted them.
In a dispatch from the Arnhem “pocket” dated yesterday, Stanley Maxted, writing for the combined Allied press, says:
The troops are being asked to do more than flesh and blood should have to endure, but as their commander said, “They are of good heart. These airborne men are magnificent…” When the 2nd Army arrives they may be told one of the epics of the war.