Battle of the Nijmegen salient

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The Battle of the Nijmegen salient or the Defence of the Nijmegen bridgehead was a series of engagements that took place in the Netherlands during World War II between 30 September and 8 October 1944. The battle occurred in the aftermath of Operation Market Garden, a failed attempt by the Allies to cut off German forces in the Netherlands and end the war quickly. Walter Model who commanded German forces during Market Garden attempted to regain the Nijmegen salient which had been seized by the allies to contain the offensive and drive them off the Betuwe, which became known as 'the Island'. Wilhelm Bittrich led the II SS Panzer Korps in the counter-offensive, in particular with the aim of retaking Nijmegen and its bridges. German forces were not prepared to make assaults and many units were without tank support. The 21st Army Group (General Bernard Montgomery) commanded the area from Southern Holland to the North sea. British forces on the island were led by General Ivor Thomas who commanded...

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