Theirs Is the Glory

Stanley Maxted - Himself
Allan Wood - Himself
Geoff van Rijssel - Himself

Theirs Is the Glory (1946) is a memorable re-enactment of the fierce battle for Arnhem filmed 12 months after the end of WWII and using actual archive footage. Survivors from the 1st Airborne Division returned to the actual battlefield amid the bombed-damaged ruins to recreate the battle in front of cameras. There were no studio sets or actors, everything caught by the cameras was actually witnessed by those taking part. Brian Desmond Hurst’s docudrama effectively recreates the ill-fated battle and narration is provided by wartime commentators Alan Wood and Stanley Maxted.

Theirs is the Glory opens with a narrated overview of post-war Arnhem from the destroyed ruins of Arnhem Bridge, St Elizabeth’s Hospital and finally the Hartenstein Hotel where the last stand was made. The film then cuts to paratroopers receiving their final orders and being prepared for Operation Market Garden; an airborne assault on Arnhem by over 2,000 troops scheduled for 17th September 1944 from Southern England.

The troops land and are met with little enemy resistance, but British intelligence has severely underestimated the German strength and the battle to capture and hold the North end of bridge at Arnhem by 600 men becomes one of the bloodiest of WWII. After 8 days of continuous shelling, with a high casualty list and low food and ammunition the troops are ordered to withdraw under cover of night back across the River Rhine.