Veterans were joined by royalty in the Netherlands at the 80th anniversary of a key battle in the Allies’ move to liberate Europe from Nazi rule.
The event commemorated the anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, a manoeuvre intended to create a route for the Allied forces into northern Germany in September 1944.
While the operation succeeded in capturing the Dutch cities of Eindhoven and Nijmegen, it failed in its key objective – securing the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem.
Modern-day paratroopers from several Nato countries imitated the actions of their predecessors in taking a leap.
A US plane passes in front of the moon before paratroopers take the leap (Ben Birchall/PA)
Paratroopers from eight counties took part (Ben Birchall/PA)
Paratroopers preparing to land (Ben Birchall/PA)
Members of the Red Devils display team during a event at Memorial Square at Ginkelse Heide, Netherlands(Ben Birchall/PA)
A member of the British armed forces takes a photo of paratroopers (Ben Birchall/PA)
Veterans during an event at Memorial Square in Ginkelse Heide (Ben Birchall/PA)
Further events are planned for Sunday in remembrance of Operation Market Garden.
On Saturday, King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands was present to honour the veterans and lay a wreath to the fallen.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (front row, second from left) during a event at Memorial Square (Ben Birchall/PA)
Paratroopers marked the anniversary (Ben Birchall/PA)
Veterans salute (front row,left) (Ben Birchall/PA)
A veteran salutes Ben Birchall/PA)
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands meets veterans (Ben Birchall/PA)
Comrades were remembered (Ben Birchall/PA)
Veterans watch the proceedings (Ben Birchall/PA)
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (front row, third from left) looks to the sky (Ben Birchall/PA)
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands placing a wreath (Ben Birchall/PA)