 In December , most of the 1st Airborne Division ( minus the 2nd Parachute Brigade ) returned to England , and began training and preparing for the Allied invasion of Normandy . It was not involved in the Normandy landings in June 1944 , being held in reserve . In September 1944 it took part in Operation Market Garden . The division , with the Polish 1st Parachute Brigade temporarily attached , landed 60 miles ( 97 km ) behind German lines , to capture crossings on the River Rhine , and fought in the Battle of Arnhem . After failing to achieve its objectives , the division was surrounded and took very heavy casualties , but held out for nine days before the survivors were evacuated . 
