In early September 1944, the II SS Panzer Corps (9 SS "Hohenstaufen" and 10 SS "Frundberg") were pulled out of the line and sent to the Arnhem area in the Netherlands. Upon arrival, they began the task of refitting, and the majority of the remaining armoured vehicles were loaded onto trains in preparation for transport to repair depots in Germany. On Sunday 17 September 1944, the Allies launched Operation Market Garden, and the British 1st Airborne Division was dropped in Oosterbeek, to the west of Arnhem. Realizing the threat, Wilhelm Bittrich, commander of II SS Panzer Corps, ordered "Hohenstaufen" and "Frundsberg" to ready themselves for combat. Also in the area was the Training and Reserve Battalion, 16th SS Division "Reichsführer-SS". The Allied airborne operation was a failure, and Arnhem was not liberated until 14 April 1945.