Driel

Spioenkop Dam is at 87.8%, with Driel Barrage Dam at 103.3%.

As things turned out, knowledge of the Driel ferry or of the underground's secret telephone network could have changed the result of the operation, especially since Allied radio equipment failed, having to rely on messengers.

Finally, the 2nd Battalion, and elements of the 3rd Battalion, with support troops from the Brigade's Medical Company, Engineer Company and HQ Company, were dropped under German fire east of Driel.

Had the Market Garden planners realized that a ferry was available at Driel, the British might have secured that instead of the Arnhem bridge.

In Driel, the Polish paratroopers set up a defensive "hedgehog" position, from which over the next two nights further attempts were made to cross the Rhine.

Owing to bad weather and a shortage of transport planes, the drop into Driel was delayed by two days, to 21 September.

The 43rd Division was ordered to take over the lead, work its way around the enemy positions and make contact with the Polish airborne troops at Driel to the west.

The Poles were initially landed by glider from 18 September, whilst, due to bad weather over England, the parachute section of the Brigade was held up, and jumped on 21 September at Driel on the South bank of the Rhine.

The survivors of the 1st Airborne were outnumbered 4 to 1. The Polish 1st Parachute Brigade at Driel, unable to cross the Rhine, nonetheless forced a redeployment of German forces.

They arrived in Driel during the evening.

They were moved south of the river to engage the Polish paratroopers at Driel, making attacks to little effect through the day.

Unable to help the British, the Polish withdrew to Driel for the night and organised defence there, with the Rhine behind their backs and German units increasing in strength around them.