A Weird Theater That Started In London

On a sunny Sunday, September 17, 1944, as worshipers knelt to pray during religious services across England, the constant hum of airplane propellers drowned out all other sounds.

Starting at 9:45 in the morning, at least 2,000 gliders and towing planes transporting airborne troops swarmed into the sky from 24 bases.

The 1st Airborne Division going to Arnhem took off first, because their goal was to go deep into the enemy's rear in the northernmost sense, so they needed the largest number of personnel, anti-tank guns, jeeps, and swift and decisive action.

Moreover, above, below, and on the flanks of this huge formation, there are all escort fighters, and the number is equally huge: there are Spitfire fighters, Typhoon fighters, Mosquito fighters from the United Kingdom, and Thunder fighters from the other side of the ocean. Lightning fighters, Mustang fighters, and low-diving bombers.

It was a perfectly sunny day for the paratroopers, perfect for a walk on the country lanes and a few pints of cider in the tavern.

Major General Urquhart was also in a good mood. Looking down at the countryside, he saw some nuns waving to the fleet, so he waved to them too, even if he did so, the chance of being seen was very small.

In fact, the general was definitely one of the most enjoyable people in the flying formation, with quite a few entourages: Adjutant Roberts, orderly, chaplain, signalman, bodyguard, and most beloved of all, the jeep.

Unexpectedly, Urquhart looked at the spacious glider in front of him, and felt a pang of conscience. He thought of the soldiers under his command. All of these people were heavily burdened, carrying equipment almost equal to their own weight, squeezed into the transport plane , but he only carried a small backpack, two grenades, and a map box.

Airborne guidance team...how are they?

I don't know, sir.

At the adjutant's answer, General Urquhart shook his head, disturbed for his own comfort—

Of the dozens of outstanding soldiers who performed the mission last night, I don't know how many of them survived and whether they could successfully complete the mission.

These are all doubts.

Listen, if something happens to me, the order of succession in command is: Rathberry, Hicks, Hackett.

Although it sounded like last words, General Urquhart felt that it was safer to prepare for the worst in advance. He even thought that he was a little late and should tell every brigadier general under his command before taking off, in case They vie for command.

Understood, sir.

The adjutant nodded.

By this time, the bombing force has arrived over the mental hospital in Wolfheze. I hope it's full of Germans.

Now that all the decisions were made and Urquhart was idly thinking about the time before boarding the plane, a senior American Air Force officer called him and wanted a promise: the people who lived there were Germans, Not a lunatic, otherwise, the United States will not be able to take responsibility.

Because the psychiatric hospital was very close to the assembly point and its location was dangerous, the staff agreed that it was held by the Germans and they could take responsibility and blow it up.

Therefore, at eleven o'clock in the morning, Lu Li and the others saw the most absurd scene: Allied fighter jets dropped five bombs as they passed by Wolfheze Village.

And this is just a prelude. After last night, the second round of bombing is coming.

Over Arnhem, black plumes of smoke rose into the sky as flames blazed through the city and the streets were pitted with rubble and shards of glass.

None of the machine gun and anti-aircraft artillery positions that were exposed last night were spared and all were reimbursed.

The Dutch either took refuge in basements or in churches and waited out the explosion.

Of course, there are also those who are daring, still riding bicycles on the street, or standing on the roof of their own houses, their emotions alternate between excitement and fear.

In defiance of the German ban, the broadcaster reached out to Radio Tangerine as far away as London, and began broadcasting news bulletins for the entire Arnhem area:

I am Prince Bernhard.

The time is almost up. What we have been waiting for is finally about to happen. Due to the ferocity and speed of the Allied offensive, some soldiers have not yet brought Dutch banknotes. If our dearest allies have French francs and Belgian banknotes, please cooperate. , when you sell something and get paid, accept that money.

The farmer should finish harvesting the crops and sell the harvest...

Finally, I want to urge you, when the Allied forces arrive in town, please do not offer flowers or fruits to express joy. It is very likely that the enemy will disguise themselves as ordinary people and hide bombs and poison in these things.

Lu Li and the others who were far away in the Lunkum Wasteland also heard this newsletter——

The broadcaster on the telephone pole, intermittently, played encouraging news.

This means that the three of them finally don't have to worry about it anymore. As for the future battles, they can only take one step at a time.

Anyway, Lu Li was fed up with fighting alone.

In this operation, personal power is too small, small like a drop of water in the ocean, only by being integrated into it can it play its greatest role and become a legend.

At this time, the big Miller had already changed back to his original combat uniform and painted some oil paint on his face, because he didn't want to be killed by his own people.

Sir, how are you doing?

As he spoke, Monk fumbled in his trouser pocket for a while, then took out half a pack of cigarettes and distributed them to the two people beside him.

It's nothing, but I'm still a little hungry, but unfortunately the last canned yellow peaches have been eaten.

Lu Li took the Camel cigarettes and began to puff. Frankly speaking, he didn't know how to smoke, but the other two guys did, so naturally he couldn't refuse.

The two comrades-in-arms whom he had just met but were trustworthy, his gradually recovering physical strength, and the upcoming large army all made Lu Li feel a lot more at ease in his heart.

We will see our companions in about an hour. Which troops do you think will reach the ground first. Miller unscrewed his binoculars and kept scanning the sky: The first airborne brigade of Brigadier General Hicks is still ours. 1st Parachute Brigade? Bet on a military ration.

Let's go to the first landing brigade. They have to carry luggage, so they should be the first to land.

The smoke blocked Lu Li's frowning brows. This answer was obviously obtained after careful consideration. He hoped to get a ration so that he could recover better——

While in wolf form, the energy drain is starving.

Of course it's our 1st Paratrooper Brigade. I can even assure you that that person must be from our 2nd Battalion. Monk trusted his unit unconditionally, and he answered without hesitation.