CGS shows leaders go first as he jumps onto Ginkel Heath to mark Op Market Garden

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker was the first out of the A400M's door leading the UK's participation in a special parachute jump into the Netherlands.

Hundreds of Nato military personnel parachuted onto Ginkel Heath to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, which was a key part of Operation Market Garden.

The CGS said he was "very honoured and humbled" to have made the jump.

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Gen Roly, 54, said on X: "A chance to pause and reflect on the high courage and selfless sacrifice of those from Allied Airborne Forces who fought and died for the freedom of us all."

Around 700 paratroopers from eight Nato nations - including the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and the US parachuted from 12 aircraft.

Army parachute display team the Red Devils were also a part of the airborne spectacle.

BFBS Forces News was live on YouTube from the Netherlands to watch the personnel make the jump from Drop Zone Y on Ginkel Heath.

'Leaders go first'

Major Aiden Philpott, second in command of 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, said it was an "absolute honour" to have the CGS there and first to jump.

"We are really proud to have him here... it's a really important thing," he said.

"Part of parachuting is that the leaders go first, they demonstrate that courage and commitment and they demonstrate what the rest of the troops should do.

"It's great to see our senior generals here jumping, demonstrating to our soldiers how to conduct the parachute descents."

Led by the Dutch 11th Air Assault Brigade, Exercise Falcon Leap is Nato's largest technical exercise focused on enhancing operational readiness and the interoperability of the allies' airborne forces.

The parachute drop began a weekend of commemorations in the Netherlands to mark the anniversary of the Allied attempt to capture a series of strategically important bridges from the Nazis and open a new route into Germany.

Defence Minister Lord Coaker joined a commemorative service at Ginkel Heath.

"Our Armed Forces continue to be inspired by the service and sacrifice of that great generation, which fought so we may live in freedom today", said Lord Coaker.

He added: "I was proud to join members of the Armed Forces to pay our respects to those who served and died 80 years ago. We remain hugely grateful to all those who gave their lives to defeat Nazi tyranny."

Lord Coaker also attended a Polish-led commemorative service in Driel, in tribute to the hundreds of Polish service personnel who attempted to reinforce the British paras in Arnhem.

'Huge price paid for our freedom'

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Today we honour the veterans of Arnhem, and we honour those who fought and died to help liberate our allies.

"Eighty years on we remember the huge price paid for our freedom and commit to defending peace and security today. I'm proud that members of our Armed Forces are at the heart of the commemorations in the Netherlands this week."