 The plans called for the dropping of two divisions from U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps , under Major General Matthew B. Ridgway to capture key territory and to generally disrupt German defenses to aid the advance of Allied ground forces . The British 6th Airborne Division was ordered to capture the villages of Schnappenberg and Hamminkeln , clear part of the Diersfordter Wald ( Diersfordt Forest ) of German forces , and secure three bridges over the River Issel . The U.S. 17th Airborne Division was to capture the village of Diersfordt and clear the rest of the Diersfordter Wald of any remaining German forces . The two divisions would hold the territory they had captured until relieved by advancing units of 21st Army Group , and then join in the general advance into northern Germany . 
