Arnhem

Arnhem was the focal point of a bold attempt by the allies to shorten the Second World War by seizing bridges over Holland's rivers and  canals, thus facilitating a swift advance by Allied troops into Germany.

The story of the conflict, which was ultimately a failure for the Allies became the subject of the film 'A Bridge Too Far'. Himself an ex Para, Pat has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the battle and at least once a year leads a weekend tour of the battle site for Rotarians, their families and friends. The tour includes the laying of a wreath in the Arnhem-Oosterbeek war cemetery.

The party are taken to several sites around the town where Pat explains their significance in the conflict, including the bridge over the Rhine itself, now re-named the John Frost Bridge in memory of Lt Col John Frost who with a small group of men held the bridge for several days against overwhelming opposition.