Kate Ter Horst - World War II

World War II

During Operation Market Garden, the British 1st Airborne Division parachuted to capture the Arnhem bridge but due to a compilation of problems and delays of the relieving force soon found themselves surrounded and outnumbered by the German army. Captain Martin asked the Ter Horsts permission to set up a regimental aid station in their house at the Benedendorpsweg in Oosterbeek. The family consented.

During the eight days of fighting, Ter Horst tended to about 250 wounded British paratroopers herself. Some of her most famous actions in looking after the British troops included walking around her home reading the Bible to dying soldiers and finding water in the most unlikely places (such as the boiler and toilet) when, due to the large concentration of British troops, the house became a concentrated target. Mrs. Ter Horst wrote about these experiences in a book called Cloud Over Arnhem.