HE was among 35,000 men who fought the Germans for nine long days in one of the bloodiest battles of World War Two. But 80 years on, Geoff Roberts, now 99, was the only one left to return to the Dutch city of Arnhem. 8 99-year-old veteran Geoff Roberts has returned to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 8 British and US troops took part in the biggest airborne invasion ever, to attempt to end the brutal conflict Credit: Bournemouth News 8 Geoff regards Arnhem as his second home and plans to be laid to rest in the Airborne War Cemetery in Oosterbeek Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun In September 1944, British and US troops took part in the biggest airborne invasion ever, a daring attack 60 miles behind enemy lines, in a bid to end the global conflict.
But Operation Market Garden, focused on the capture of three key Nazi-held bridges over the River Rhine , including one in Arnhem, was a disaster. Only 2,000 British troops returned — the rest were killed or taken prisoner. Yesterday, Private Roberts visited the cemetery where his two best friends who lost their lives are buried in a wooded glade filled with white headstones.
READ MORE WORLD WAR TWO BUNKING IN Inside World War Two bunker that's now a luxury £350-a-night holiday home UNSUNG SALUTED Stamps celebrate extraordinary women of WWII including nurses & codebreakers Among over 1,500 graves, almost side-by-side lie Lance Corporal Leonard Plummer, 24, and 25-year-.