X-Nico

Allied invasion of Sicily

To the east, the British 1st Airborne Division commanded by Major General George F. Hopkinson were to seize vital bridges and high ground.

Imagery analysis

British intelligence Major Brian Urquhart warned his commander of the threat, but an overpowering optimism cause by the recent collapse of the Western front overruled any possibility of an objective threat assessment, resulting in a night-time river crossing in which out of 10,000 members of the British 1st Airborne Division that jumped into Arnhem, only 2,600 survivors would reach the southern shore 9 days later.

John Killick

He served in the British Army during World War II, first in the Suffolk Regiment, later in the 1st Airborne Division in which he commanded the 89th Field Security Section (Intelligence Corps) at Arnhem.

see also

George F. Hopkinson

Operation Husky began on the night of 9 July with an airborne assault by 1st Airlanding Brigade and 1st Parachute Brigade of 1st Airborne Division, and elements of the American 82nd Airborne Division with both divisions suffering heavy losses in men and equipment as they carried out their objectives.