After the Normandy landings in June 1944, the Allies planned the invasion of German territory in order to end the war as quickly as possible. Operation "Market Garden," devised by Bernard Montgomery, entailed bypassing German defences through the use of British, American, and Polish airborne troops. The paratroopers were tasked with seizing control of bridges in the Netherlands, between Eindhoven and Arnhem, to secure the Allied forces' access routes into Germany. However, strong German resistance and the Allies' failure to cross the Rhine compromised the operation, resulting in its failure. The war was prolonged, requiring several more months of fighting before the Allies entered Germany. Hartenstein, during Operation Market Garden, served as the focal point of activities and was utilized as the headquarters for the British 1st Airborne Division.