Paratroopers from eight NATO member countries, including the UK, USA, Portugal, and Spain, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem by parachuting into Ginkel Heath, near the Dutch town of Ede. The event, held on Saturday, saw 700 paratroopers taking part, including the British Army’s Red Devils freefall parachute display team. The Battle of Arnhem was part of Operation Market Garden in 1944, aiming to create a route for Allied forces into northern Germany.
The operation involved 1,900 allied airborne soldiers from Britain’s 4th Parachute Brigade landing around nine miles from the Arnhem bridge, losing the element of surprise to the Nazis. Although the Allies captured Eindhoven and Nijmegen, they failed to secure the bridge at Arnhem due to prolonged street fighting. More than 8,000 British soldiers were killed, missing, or captured during the offensive. A memorial service at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery is scheduled for Sunday, attended by Princess Anne on behalf of The King.
In a related story, a rogue builder conned customers out of almost £150,000 without completing any work. Paul Atkinson took funds for building projects but did not deliver. In other news, a weather warning covering 71 hours has been issued for Wales by the Met Office, with up to 30-50mm of rainfall expected in some areas in a short period. Additionally, a drone captured footage of the fire damage to a former school in Swansea, while drinkers attacked pub customers and staff over taking pints outside.