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OPERATION MARKET GARDEN GROUPING

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:240.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
OPERATION MARKET GARDEN GROUPING
OPERATION MARKET GARDEN GROUPING
Lot of three items associated with the joint British and American effort to seize a crossing of the Rhine, an operation that ended disastrously for the Allies. Included is a period amateur oil on canvas painting, 18 1/2" x 11", unsigned, titled at bottom: "Operation Market Garden 1944", an image of possibly the site of the British headquarters, the Hotel Hartenstein in Oosterbeek. A burning transport, flak explosions, paratroopers, etc. are all depicted. Also: a scratch-made wood DC-3 Dakota model with R.A.F. markings, probably fashioned by an aircraft or ground crew member, inscribed on bottom: "271 SDN 1944 Arnhem D-Day Dakota Rhine Berlin 1945". Also listed on the model are various British air bases. The R.A.F. 271st Squadron dropped men of the 3rd Parachute Brigade and towed Horsa gliders on D-Day, and further supported the battle for France and Operation Markey Garden. ALSO: a cased bronze commemorative token for the Battle of Arnhem, issued by the Dutch after the battle, reads: "Battle of Arnhem September 1944" with quotation and the image of Arnhem Bridge on verso. Provenance: Dakota Bomber: The collection of the late Malcolm Smith, the long-time assistant secretary to the Battle of Britain Association; balance The War Museum.