Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns participated in a commemorative parachute jump over Arnhem on Tuesday, marking the 65th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne assault in history. Carns, a Labour MP and former Special Forces commando, jumped from a vintage Dakota C-47 aircraft, similar to those used during the World War II mission in September 1944.

Operation Market Garden involved nearly 41,000 Allied troops who parachuted into Nazi-occupied Holland with the objective of capturing key bridges to expedite an invasion of Germany. The operation has been widely remembered for its scale and ambition, as well as the challenges it faced, and was later depicted in the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.

The commemorative event brought together veterans, active military personnel, and civilians to honor those who took part. Among those on the ground was Geoffrey Roberts, aged 101, a veteran who witnessed the jump.

Reflecting on the significance of the operation, Carns emphasized the sacrifices made during the war, stating, “People sacrificed their lives for everything we have.” The event served as both a tribute to those who fought and a reminder of the historical importance of the battle for the liberation of Europe.