DIVISIONAL DEFENCE PLATOON

The Hartenstein Hotel

DIVISIONAL DEFENCE PLATOON

Originally the 52nd had formed part of 1st Airlanding Brigade of the 1st British Airborne Division and at that time were tasked with providing the Divisional Defence Platoon. This they continued to do when the 52nd were transferred to the 6th Airlanding Brigade on the formation of the 6th British Airborne Division in 1943. 

By the time of the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 the Divisional Defence Platoon although by now slightly watered down by the inclusion of men of other units and commanded by a Parachute Regiment officer was still in the main made up of men of the 52nd.

During the defence of the Oosterbeek perimeter to where 1st Airborne Division withdrew after it had been cut to pieces trying to get to the famous “Bridge Too far” the Divisional Defence Platoon was engaged in the defence of the Hartenstein Hotel which had become the Divisional Headquarters.
Eventually after fighting solidly for nine days the remnants of the Division were withdrawn across the Rhine.

1S AIRBORNE DIVISION EMPLOYMENT AND DEFENCE PLATOON

Nominal Roll.
Defence Platoon, Headquarters 1st Airborne Division.
17th-26thSeptember 1944.

The following members of the regiment serving with the Divisional Defence Platoon were killed during the Arnhem operation:-

5388117 Bass, Ronald, Pte, 1st Airborne Division Defence Platoon, 21/09/44, 
buried Oosterbeek, l-B-7 

5383286 Toes, James A, Pte, 1st Airborne Division Defence Platoon, 22/09/44 
No known Grave Groesbeek 

5683257 Barton, Laurence J, Pte, 1st Airborne Division Defence Platoon, 24/09/44, buried Oosterbeek, 26-A-20

5957159 Mattieu, Frederick G, Pte, 1st Airborne Division Defence Platoon, 24/09/44, No known Grave Groesbeek 

5683032 Smith, Wilfred G J, Pte, 1st Airborne Division Defence Platoon, 26/09/44, 
No known Grave Groesbeek

5682998 Lansdowne, Ronald A F, Pte, 1st Airborne Division Defence Platoon, 25-26/09/44, buried Ameersfoort, 13-B-l.

At Nijmegen 1st Airborne Division survivors of the Withdrawal.         Photo Credit IWM HU3722
Among them two Oxf & Bucks LI members of the Divisional Defence Platoon.
Pte Jack Cohen (top left) and  L/Cpl S "Judy" Wright (bottom right).