Operation Market Garden: The Digital Monument

Roll of Honour

September 17th 1944 - September 25th 1944

3,363 personal files|2,100+ portrait photos|2,800+ headstone photos

Created by Remco Hendriks | Market Garden Foundation

Commemorating

Four Allied Airborne Forces

Polish Cross for Valour

Kpr. Stefan Zawistowski

On September 25th, 1944, the 27-year-old Polish paratrooper flew into battle aboard Glider 890 carrying anti-tank guns. Under heavy German fire, the glider crashed. Of the four crew aboard, only one survived. Zawistowski's body was never recovered.

Explore the Story

The Nine Days: September 17–25, 1944

Day 1

September 17, 1944

D-Day: The Landings Begin

The largest airborne operation in history begins. Over 20,000 Allied paratroopers and glider troops land behind German lines in the Netherlands. The 1st Airborne Division drops near Arnhem, while American divisions secure bridges to the south.

21 years

Twin brother who ran through enemy fire to reach his wounded brother Tommy. Found lying side by side, they rest in adjacent graves at Oosterbeek. This database is dedicated to the Gronert twins.

21 years

Hit in the mouth by enemy fire at Oosterbeek Laag railway station, his cries for help drew his twin brother Claude to his side. They now rest in adjacent graves at Oosterbeek War Cemetery.

Day 2

September 18, 1944

The Bridge Battles

Lt. Col. Frost's men hold the north end of Arnhem Bridge against fierce German counterattacks. Relief forces struggle to break through. At Nijmegen and Eindhoven, American paratroopers fight to secure their objectives.

22 yearsMedal of Honor

Wounded four times but refused evacuation. When a grenade landed among his comrades, he yelled 'grenade' and threw his body over it, sacrificing his life to save them.

28 years

Wounded while hunting German snipers, he was taken to a casualty station later overrun by SS troops. Witnesses believe he was murdered. His body was never found. He had said he would never be taken alive.

Day 3

September 19, 1944

The Supply Crisis

RAF pilots fly through heavy flak to resupply surrounded troops at Arnhem. Many drop zones are in German hands. The bridge defenders are running low on ammunition. Polish gliders bringing reinforcements are shot down.

30 yearsVictoria Cross

His Dakota on fire, he ordered his crew to bail out while he continued the supply drop. He held the burning aircraft steady so the last man could jump, then went down with his plane over Arnhem.

24 yearsVictoria Cross

Wounded in the face, then both arms, he reorganized his scattered company under heavy fire and personally led attacks on German positions. When cut off with a small party, he ordered his men to withdraw while he stayed behind alone with pistol and grenades to cover their escape. He was never seen again.

Day 4

September 20, 1944

The Waal Crossing

In a desperate gamble, American paratroopers cross the Waal River in canvas boats under withering fire. At Arnhem Bridge, the last defenders finally fall after four days. The perimeter at Oosterbeek shrinks.

26 yearsVictoria Cross

Wounded in the shoulder on D-Day, again in the back on Day 3, he refused evacuation. On Day 4, he stood in full view of enemy tanks to direct his men's withdrawal. He was killed that night after four days of relentless fighting.

23 yearsDistinguished Service Cross

Crossed the Waal in the bow of his boat, firing his machine gun at German positions. When his gun was destroyed, he crawled within 15 yards of the enemy and destroyed their position with grenades before falling.

Day 5

September 21, 1944

The Poles Arrive

After four days of delays, the Polish Brigade finally drops at Driel, south of the Rhine. They land under fire in rapidly shrinking drop zones. The Oosterbeek perimeter contracts as German pressure intensifies.

20 yearsMedal of Honor

Single-handedly stopped a German counterattack at Oosterhout. With his rocket launcher, he destroyed two tanks, killed nine Germans in a house with one round, then fell to a mortar shell while reloading.

20 years

At just 20, his Stirling bomber was attacked by German fighters after a supply drop. With his aircraft ablaze and heading toward the Dutch village of Batenburg, he deliberately steered away to crash into the River Meuse, saving hundreds of civilians. For 60 years, villagers have composed annual songs in his honor.

Day 6

September 22, 1944

Holding On

The Oosterbeek pocket becomes a desperate siege. Supplies dwindle. The wounded fill every house. Polish troops attempt night crossings of the Rhine to reinforce the perimeter, suffering heavy casualties.

22 years

Before the battle, he wrote: 'I loved you, Mom, you were the best Mother in the World... I want no flowers, no epitaph, no tears. All I want is for you to remember me and feel proud of me.' His farewell letter became famous.

22 years

An American from New Jersey who joined Polish Forces in 1940. At farm De Baarskamp, he moved forward to identify figures calling in English, wanting to prevent friendly fire. He was killed when a German attack suddenly began.

Day 7

September 23, 1944

Polish Sacrifice

Polish troops continue desperate attempts to cross the Rhine and reinforce the British. Heavy casualties mount on both banks. In the corridor, American engineers race to build and defend vital bridges.

25 years

Led his engineers for 23 hours straight, building a critical bridge at Veghel under sniper fire. A Dutch engineer wrote: 'His calmness, especially in moments of danger, was remarkable.' He was killed by a sniper the next day.

29 years

Served under the name 'John P. Rodley' to hide his Jewish identity. Fighting against Nazi Germany, he carried the additional burden of knowing what capture might mean. His true name is now restored.

Day 8

September 24, 1944

The Last Stand

The decision is made to evacuate. Surviving troops prepare for withdrawal across the Rhine. In the perimeter, fighting continues house to house. The wounded who cannot be moved will be left behind.

21 years

An Irish immigrant, he attended Father Sampson's mass and told his buddies he had a feeling he wouldn't make it. They laughed it off. Two hours later, an 88mm shell took his life. 'All the men from his platoon cried.'

29 years

Murdered by SS-Sgt. Karl Lerche on the steps of the Municipal Hospital at Arnhem. A war crime that was documented and the perpetrator identified. Even hospitals offered no sanctuary.

Day 9

September 25, 1944

The Withdrawal

Under cover of darkness and artillery, 2,400 survivors slip away across the Rhine. Canadian and British engineers ferry them in small boats. Many drown or are killed in the crossing. Over 6,000 are left behind.

19 years

Last seen rescuing his drowning commanding officer during the river crossing. His body was found in the Rhine weeks later. At just 19, he gave his life trying to save another. In 2003, his siblings finally visited his grave.

22 years

Operating Stormboat 1 to evacuate survivors, his boat took a direct mortar hit shortly after launching at 21:45. All four crew died instantly. His body was found in the river seven weeks later. He died trying to bring others home.

SeptemberSept1944'44

The Full Campaign Story

Go deeper into Operation Market Garden with detailed battlefield narratives, location photography, and historical context covering the entire operation—not just the nine days of combat.

Read the Full Story

Burgerslachtoffers Database

Naast de militaire slachtoffers vielen er ook honderden burgers tijdens de Slag om Arnhem en omstreken. Ontdek hun verhalen in een eigen database met 640 geregistreerde personen.

In addition to military casualties, hundreds of civilians perished during the Battle of Arnhem. Explore their stories in a dedicated database of 640 registered persons. Dutch language only.

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Browse Profiles

Roll of Honour

Showing 20 of 3,363

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Robert Ferguson, Sgt.

Age: 31

Philip T. Miller, Pte.

Age: 24

Richard de Courcy Peele, 2/Lt.

Age: 20

Jose M. Irala, Tpr.

Age: 20

Gordon J.G. Wright, Pte.

Age: 25

Jack Carr, Cpl.

Age: 22

William H. Reeve, Pte.

Age: 22

Alfred D. Trueman, Pte.

Age: 20

Edward Oliver, Pte.

Age: 26

Andrew Chalmers, Pte.

Age: 30

William Baker, F/O

Age: 22

Franciszek Beker, Strz.

Age: 29

Douglas C. Follington, Sgt.

Age: 26

George Froud, Cpl.

Age: 27

William Kirkham, F/O

Age: 21

James Sneddon, Pte.

Age: 25

Stanley E. Watling, Lt.

Age: 28

Richard Banks, S/Sgt.

Age: 25

Michal Rodo, St.sap.

Age: 37

Wallace Isherwood, Pte.

Age: 30

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Personal information

Age

Nationality

American

Date / place of birth

17-07-1919, Des Moines County, Iowa, U.S.A.

Military information

Army Number

T-121290

Rank

F/O

Function

Glider Pilot

Company / Squadron

83 Troop Transport Squadron

Unit / Group

437 Troop Carrier Group U.S.A.F.

Decorations

, Air Medal,

Death information

Died when

17-09-1944

Died where

Mariekerke, Belgium

Spot

in a field near the Bornemstraat

Burial location

Grave number

B-39-32

Graves overview

Personal notes

Entered service on February 8, 1943. At Ramsbury airfield, the 101st Airborne Signal Company, part of the famous 101st Airborne Division, was getting ready to fulfill it's part in this Operation. Attached to this Company were several British Signal Corpsmen, this to optimize communications between American and English Airborne and ground troops. Destination was an LZ (landing zone) north of Eindhoven, Holland. The route they had to take to get their by glider was going to get them straight across the Channel into Belgium and then north to Eindhoven. When the air fleet passed over the Mariekerke – Sint-Amands area (Belgium), one of the gliders crashed down. In it were five American Glidermen of the 101st Airborne Signal Company, a British Signalman and the Glider Pilot. As cargo, they had a trailer filled with important communications material. As far as can be proven, the cargo must have shifted to the front of the glider causing the glider to tip. Part of the cockpit was torn loose due to this shift in weight. Eye-witnesses saw two people fall out off the glider before it went down. One is certain to have been the English Signalman. The other supposedly was the Glider Pilot. The glider first hit a tree before crashing down at the field nearby. All occupants died a horrible death. Only one – the Englishman – still showed signs of life, but unfortunately died of his wounds in a nearby hospital. English soldiers stationed nearby, together with locals and a local doctor, helped recovering the bodies of these men. The victims were buried – after a service was given in the church of nearby Sint-Amands – at the local cemetery. After the war, the Americans were transferred to the American Military Cemetery Ardennes, near Nueville et Condroz, but the English Signalman still rests at the Sint-Amands cemetery. On September 17, 1994 a fitting monument was inaugurated near the place where the glider went down. This thanks to the local authorities and a group of interested called the 'Vella Committee'. Also attending was the sister of one of the American Glidermen. Every year, around September 17, a small commemoration is held there and flowers are put on the graves and the monument. A little further away, one can see a small cross with an American helmet on top. This marks the spot where the glider crashed to earth in 1944, ending the lives of seven young men. F/O Samuel C. Welch (437th TC Group) Cpl. Frederick A. Sellers (Royal Corps of Signals) Pvt. Thomas F. Vella (101st Airborne Signal Company) Pvt. Joseph Dottavanio (101st Airborne Signal Company) Pvt. Stanley M. Zajelka (101st Airborne Signal Company) Pvt. Michael Jugan (101st Airborne Signal Company) Pvt. Gustave O. Gerwig (101st Airborne Signal Company)

Additional Information

Genealogy

Samuel C. Welch, F/O101st Airborne Division

Personal information

Age

Nationality

Date / place of birth

Military information

Army Number

Rank

Function

Company / Squadron

Unit / Group

Decorations

, Air Medal,

Death summary

Died when

Died where

Spot

Burial location

Grave number

Graves overview

Personal notes

Additional Information

Genealogy