Operation Pegasus
In the aftermath of the failed Operation Market Garden in September 1944, many Allied airborne troops found themselves stranded behind German lines near Arnhem in the Netherlands. The bold offensive, designed to secure key bridges and pave the way for a swift Allied advance into Germany, ended in disaster, particularly for the British 1st Airborne Division, which suffered severe casualties during the fighting around Arnhem. Despite the evacuation of some survivors across the Rhine, a significant number of paratroopers remained in hiding, evading capture with the help of Dutch resistance fighters. These isolated troops became the focus of a daring series of rescue missions known as Operation Pegasus.
Operation Pegasus I was conceived as a means of extracting those Allied soldiers who had evaded capture and remained in the Arnhem area. The operation was initiated by the British 1st Airborne Division under the overall coordination of Major General Roy Urquhart, who had commanded the division during Market Garden. However, the execution of the rescue plan was carried out by members of the British Special Air Service (SAS), Dutch resistance groups, and elements of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division. The central figure in organizing the operation on the ground was Major Tony Hibbert, a staff officer who had remained behind after the main withdrawal. He played a crucial role in coordinating with local resistance and arranging the timing and routes of the escape.
The plan was to ferry the evaders across the Lower Rhine under the cover of darkness. On the night of October 22–23, 1944, Operation Pegasus I was launched. Roughly 140 soldiers, mostly British airborne troops along with a few Americans and Dutch helpers, were guided through German-held territory to a crossing point near Renkum. There, boats sent by the British 30 Corps ferried them across to Allied-held territory on the southern bank of the Rhine. The operation was a complete success, carried out with precision and without loss. The successful escape provided a significant morale boost and was hailed as a triumph of cooperation between Allied forces and the Dutch resistance.
However, the publicity surrounding Operation Pegasus I would have unfortunate consequences. News of the successful escape reached British newspapers, including a detailed report in the Daily Mail. While the article did not disclose precise operational details, it confirmed the success of a covert operation behind enemy lines. It is widely believed that this coverage alerted the Germans to the possibility of further attempts and increased their vigilance along the Rhine, especially near likely crossing points.
Encouraged by the success of the first mission, Allied planners attempted a second rescue effort, Operation Pegasus II, in November 1944. The aim was to extract a larger group of about 120 soldiers who were still hiding in the area north of the Rhine. Once again, the operation relied heavily on the bravery of the Dutch resistance and the stealth of Allied special forces. However, this time the Germans were more alert. Their patrols had been intensified, and suspicion of local Dutch activity was high. During the attempted movement of the escapees toward the river, the group was discovered. A firefight broke out, and the mission quickly unraveled.
The failure of Operation Pegasus II resulted in the capture or death of many of the participants. Only a handful managed to escape back to Allied lines. The reasons for the failure were complex, but the increased German security, likely prompted in part by the earlier media coverage, played a significant role. Additionally, the larger size of the second group made it harder to move discreetly through occupied territory. The terrain and worsening weather conditions also contributed to the difficulties.
