A nice surprise just came through the mail - a little, self-published book by the Hartenstein Museum's tireless UK representative, Neil Cherry.

Entitled 'With Nothing Bigger Than A Bren Gun', it examines in as much detail as possible the actions at the Van Limburg Stirum School building which was situated right next to the ramp of the Arnhem bridge.

The story has previously been told ( most notably in Ryan's 'A Bridge Too Far' ) mainly from the viewpoint of Captain E Mackay who originally published his account in 1945. It became clear from some interviews in Martin Middlebrook's Arnhem 1944 that some veterans felt Mackay's version of events to be biased. ( I'd always wondered at the veracity of the description in ABTF of six paratroopers escaping the ruined building, 'each carrying a Bren gun' and firing from the hip ).

With the benefit of vivid descriptions from veterans ( some who are sadly no longer with us ), Niall has pieced together the story of the small group of soldiers who defended the building . Make no mistake, it's a dramatic story; it reminded me of the defence of the hospital at Rorke's Drift in Zulu - this is real close-quarters action.

Although it's a specialist book, by focusing on one part of the battle it tells the Arnhem story in microcosm ; all the elements are here including the renowned 'Graebner attack' in which the defenders of the School played a significant part.

This is no cut-and-paste job, either. The book ( or booklet...) is well-produced and laid-out, with clear maps and photos.

I literally couldn't put it down - reading it through in one go. Highly recommended and it has to be a bargain at only £6 !

( Oh - and my question was answered. Cornelius Ryan got it wrong - they were Stens, not Brens....)

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson