SPEARHEADED BY THE GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION, THE ROLE OF XXX CORPS IN MARKET GARDEN WAS VITAL. IF THE TANKS COULD NOT LINK UP WITH AIRBORNE FORCES, THE ENTIRE OPERATION WOULD BE FOR NOUGHT. RICHARD DOHERTY DETAILS WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A VICIOUS ADVANCE.
In the film A Bridge Too Far Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks, XXX Corps commander, addresses the officers of the Guards Armoured Division about their role in Operation Garden – the ground element of Market Garden. Ending his speech, he says that the Irish Guards would lead the advance. On celluloid, Horrocks’ remark causes Lieutenant-Colonel ‘Joe’ Vandeleur