This story is as much about the connections forged in chaos as it is about the battle itself. My family’s story—my maternal grandfather’s bond with Kate ter Horst, my father’s legacy of storytelling—has led me here. Now, it is my privilege to share these stories with you. Join me as we honour the courage, grit, and humanity that shone through the darkest days. This is not just history. It’s a legacy—a light for us to carry forward. Welcome to the Arnhem Skool Community. Let’s begin.

• Exclusive Lessons: Learn about the incredible acts of bravery, sacrifice, and humanity, from VC winners to unsung heroes. • Interactive Maps and Overlays: Orient yourself with the ground at Oosterbeek, Arnhem, and the bridges, understanding the tactical and human challenges faced. • Personal Stories: Dive into the lives of those who were there—soldiers, medics, civilians, and members of the resistance—whose experiences shaped the course of history. • Discussions and Insights: Share your thoughts, explore questions, and engage with others passionate about this incredible chapter of WWII.

We are living through uncertain times. The same forces of tyranny and oppression that men and women stood up to in 1944 are rearing their heads once again. This story of Arnhem—of courage, resilience, and the light that shines in the darkest nights—reminds us of what it means to stand up for what’s right. It is about the cost of freedom and the extraordinary spirit of those who refuse to surrender. As the Kohima epitaph so eloquently puts it: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.” Let us honour their sacrifice by learning, remembering, and carrying forward the torch of their courage.

This Skool community is a place to: • Learn: Immerse yourself in deeply researched, emotionally resonant lessons that go beyond the textbooks and films to tell the real story of Arnhem. • Remember: Honour the soldiers, civilians, and resistance fighters who stood against impossible odds, giving everything so that future generations could live in peace. • Discuss: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for history, courage, and the lessons we can learn from the past.

A Place to Remember, Learn, and Honour the Light that Shines in the Darkest Nights This community isn’t just about the Battle of Arnhem. It’s about the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and humanity displayed during one of the most harrowing battles of World War II. The Battle of Arnhem—part of Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation ever mounted—was more than a failed attempt to seize a bridge. It became a nine-day crucible of fire and fury, a desperate struggle for survival in a place the Germans would come to call the Hexenkessel—the Witches’ Cauldron. Here, against impossible odds, surrounded and isolated, the British 1st Airborne Division, alongside the often-overlooked Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, fought with a tenacity and grit that defies belief. It was a battle of extremes: lightly armed airborne infantry facing Tiger tanks and self-propelled guns, Fallschirmjäger defending their own doorstep, and civilians caught in the firestorm. But this community isn’t just about the soldiers. It’s about everyone who stood up in the face of tyranny: • The Dutch civilians who opened their homes, like Kate ter Horst, the “Angel of Arnhem,” whose house became a sanctuary for the wounded amidst relentless bombardment. • The Dutch underground, who risked everything to aid Allied survivors, guiding them through the darkness after the battle ended. • The medical staff who stayed behind when the order to withdraw came, treating the wounded under the shadow of German control. The courage, compassion, and sacrifice of Arnhem are timeless. They are not just stories of the past; they are reminders of what we, as human beings, are capable of when faced with overwhelming adversity. This community is a torchbearer for those stories.