On 18th September 1944 Major Genral Roy Urquhart established his HQ in this hotel on an interim basis until it could move forward into Arnhem. Before the battle began it had been Field Marshal Walter Model's mess. As the battle progressed the opportunity to move Urquhart's HQ did not present itself and the Hartenstein became the centre of the Divisional defensive perimeter. Never far from the front line the hotel and HQ within was subject to mortar and artillery fire and sniping from German patrol's in the woods. It was eventually evacuated on the night of 25th September 1944 as the occupants made their way back down to the river.