| .objectives
were to occupy the high ground of the Diersfordter Wald,
the village of Hamminkeln and certain bridges over the
River Issel. ..The 3rd and
5th Parachute Brigades landed first, followed closely by
the gliders of 6 Airlanding Brigade and Divisional
troops. The division landed as a complete force on its
objectives, avoiding the mistakes of Arnhem. Due to heavy
anti-aircraft fire and dust and haze on the landing
zones, the glider pilots lost visibility and consequently
there were heavy casualties on landing. In this, the most
successful and final major airborne operation of the war,
all objectives and link-up with the ground forces were
achieved within 24 hours. Thereafter, between 26 March
and 2 May, the division advanced 350 miles, mostly on
foot, to the Baltic coast where they met the advance
elements of the Russian forces at Wismar.
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