Episode 69: Operation Market Garden - The 82nd Airborne

Our 9-episode miniseries on Operation Market Garden continues. On episode 69 we'll talk about the role of the 82nd Airborne. We'll cover the 82nd's objectives, command structure, and actions throughout the operation.   In broad daylight on September 17th, 1944, the men of the 82nd Airborne Division jumped into the drop zones at Groesbeek, Overasselt and Grave in Nazi-occupied Holland. The jump was a success and the paratroopers quickly assembled and moved out.   The 82nd's primary targets were the bridges at Grave, Malden, Heumen, Hatert, and Honinghutje, with the ultimate goal of the Waal rail and road bridges at Nijmegen. The division speedily captured most of its objectives, but had to fight through stiff German resistance in some areas.   The All American Division saw wild momentum swings and heavy combat. Market Garden produced one of the most dramatic moments in the storied history of the 82nd Airborne: the Waal river crossing made famous by a stunning scene in the 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far."   This episode covers all the critical moments of the 82nd during this operation. General Jim Gavin, the beloved "lead from the front" commander of the 82nd, is not spared from criticism here.   Our Market Garden miniseries began in Episode 63 and ends on Saturday, September 25th with the release of Episode 70. If you haven't been following along, we recommend you go back through on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.