of Arnhem. The battalion (part of the 1st Airlanding Brigade), landed
successfully on the rst day of the operation, September 17, with the
initial task of securing the landing zones and holding a perimeter.
However, the rapid German response and erce resistance forced
a change in plans. The 1st Parachute Brigade, which was meant to
seize the Arnhem road bridge, had been stopped by intense German
opposition. Only a small force under Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost
had managed to reach and hold the northern
end of the bridge. The rest of the division was
being held up by strong German counterattacks.
On September 18, McCardie’s battalion was
ordered to advance towards Arnhem to relieve
the beleaguered paratroopers at the bridge.
This was a difcult task as the German forces
were now fully mobilized and had established
a formidable defensive cordon. The 2nd South
Staffords found themselves in a desperate ght
through the streets of Arnhem, engaging in brutal
house-to-house combat against elements of the
9th SS Panzer Division.
McCardie led from the front, continuously urging his men forward under
heavy re. On September 19, the ghting became particularly intense
as the battalion approached the center of the town, facing German
tanks and infantry. The advance was slow and costly.
The following day (20 September), McCardie went forward to personally
check on the progress of one of his companies, which had become
pinned down by a German tank. As he moved through the urban rubble,
he was severely wounded. Unable to continue, he was captured by
German soldiers. The loss of their commander was a devastating blow
to the battalion, which was by then in a dire position. The remaining
companies were surrounded and, without effective leadership and with
mounting casualties, were eventually overwhelmed. The battalion’s
attempts to reach the bridge had failed, and they were forced to
surrender or were captured in the coming days.
Men of the 2nd Battalion, South
Staordshire Regiment advance
toward Arnhem, towing a six
pounder anti–tank gun with them,
18 September.