[Horrocks is about to brief his XXX Corps on Operation Market Garden]
Lt. General Horrocks:
Gentlemen, this is a story that you shall tell your grandchildren, and mightily bored they'll be.
[the entire corps laughs]
Lt. General Horrocks:
The plan is called "Operation Market Garden". "Market" is the airborne element, and "Garden", the ground forces. That's us.
[Horrocks points to a map behind him of Holland, showing the positions of the Allied forces, and the path the Corps will take]
Lt. General Horrocks:
Now, this is our position on the Belgian border, here. Tomorrow, three airborne divisions will begin landing in Holland. 35,000 men taking off from 24 airfields in troop-carrying planes or towed in gliders. The American 101st, here, around Eindhoven, the American 82nd, here, south of Nijmegen, and our own 1st airborne boys, and a Polish brigade, here, at Arnhem, 64 miles behind enemy lines.
[the corps murmurs at the details of the operation]
Lt. General Horrocks:
[Continuing with the briefing]
Now, their job is to take and hold all the bridges in these three areas. Our job is to punch a hole through the German front line, here, and then drive like hell up this road, linking up with each airborne division on the way. Speed is the vital factor. The plan is to reach Eindhoven in two to three hours, and Arnhem in two to three days. That, gentlemen, is the prize - the bridge over the Rhine, the last bridge between us and Germany. Kickoff will be at 1435 hours tomorrow afternoon. The Irish Guards, under the command of Colonel Vandeleur, will take the lead.
Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur:
[whispering to his adjutant]
Christ, not us again.
Lt. General Horrocks:
[Hearing Vandeleur's statement to his adjutant]
What do you say to that, J.O.E?
Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur:
[getting up from his chair and addressing General Horrocks]
Uh, delighted, sir. Truly delighted.
[the corps erupts in laughter again as Horrocks smiles. Vandeleur sits back down]
Lt. General Horrocks:
Now, I've selected you to lead us not only because of your extraordinary fighting ability, but also because in the unlikely event that the Germans ever get you, they will assume from your attire that they've captured a wretched peasant, and immediately send you on your way.
[the corps laughs at Horrocks' comments]
Lt. General Horrocks:
Now, maintaining the speed of our advance will no doubt be tough going, as it's a single highway. But no matter what, we must reach those 1st airborne boys in 48 hours. Now, gentlemen, I'm not saying that this will be the easiest party that we've ever attended, but I still wouldn't miss it for the world
[pauses]
Lt. General Horrocks:
I'd like to think of this as one of those American western films. The paratroops, lacking substantial equipment, always short of food - these are the besieged homesteaders, the Germans, well naturally, they're the bad guys, and XXX Corps, we my friends, are the cavalry, on the way to the rescue.
[the room bursts into applause]
