Any good ones that explain "really" what happened?? I have'nt the first book about this I'm sorry to say. Watched "A Bridge Too Far" since a kid.
There is soooo much I don't understand about it. Like why no air cover, why those boys made a needless river crossing[getting massacred] only to see the Sherman tanks crossing the bridge anyway, why the explosives did'nt go off and so on.

Any recommendations?

I think that was 3rd/504thPIR of the 82ndAB. If memory serves, they crossed down-river supposedly to avoid any defenses but the river was defended. They were trying to take the bridge to forestall heavy tank losses. The aftermath was the subject some acrimony by the 82nd as they felt that the tankers didn't move on to Arnhem and take advantage of their blood shed crossing the river and taking the far bank.

I have a good book on all aspects of the fight, but it is at home, put away. I will try to find it later.

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Best Regards,
JW

There ar so many books on the subject....You might want to state what your interest is; The british at Arnhem, the Americans at Nijmegen and Eindhoven, the thrust by XXX Corps....There are some good "general" books....I always liked a Bridge too far. I think it stood the test of time. On Arnhem itself, Middlebrook's Arnhem 1944 is good too. I also like Kosimaki's Hell's Highway, but really there are too many to mention. Martin might be able to give some pointers as will Airborne Medic.

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Stevin's right - one of the problems of reading about Arnhem is that there are now a huge number of books covering almost every aspect and unit in the battle ( except for the Germans.... ).

'A Bridge Too Far' is a very good starting point but feels a little dated now. Two other good general works are William F Buckingham's 'Arnhem 1944' and Geoffrey Powell's 'The Devil's Birthday - The Bridges To Arnhem 1944'. The latter remains one of the few books to cover the whole 'Market-Garden' operation. Both these books have been reprinted several times, also in paperback, so shouldn't be too hard or expensive to find.

Martin Middlebrook's 'Arnhem 1944 - The Airborne Battle' doesn't give the strategic overview and doesn't pretend to cover the whole battle. But IMHO it is absolutely essential reading because it gives - quite brilliantly - the 'soldier's-eye view' and gives the reader a real 'feel' for the fighting at and around the Arnhem bridges.

WARNING : You can become addicted and end up with a shelf-full of books !

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IT NEVER SNOWS IN SEPTEMBER

The German view of Market-Garden and The Battle of Arnhem September 1944

By Robert J. Kershaw
ISBN 1852233508 (Hardback)

I read this one well over 10 years ago and found it to be a good book.

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Regards, Richard

There back this Xmas 2008

I'm trying to find a book about Market Garden that talks about the flanking movements by 12 & 8 Corps (I have an interest in 13th Medium Regt RA which was attached to 12 Corps), would you recommend any of the books mentioned?

Bob

That's the one I was trying to think of above. It was very good and worth the read.

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Best Regards,
JW

Bob,

Sorry for the delay in posting....been off line for a while. Cannot recall a specific book on the actions of the two flank divisons except mentions in passing in the Ryan book and also the Powell book called The Devil's Birthday.
Suspect refences to a gunner unit would be few and far between.
Your best bet might be to start by looking in the unit's war diary at the NA at Kew....

A good read is Arnhem: A Tragedy of Errors by Peter Harclerode

general works are William F Buckingham's [i]'Arnhem 1944.



Halfway thru this one, and a good read it is too.

Browing doesnt come out of it very well, and neither should he anyway.

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Or read Patrick Delaforce's books on the Divisions involved.
You won't find one book dealing with that subject, you'll need to pick bits out of other books.

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Started reading this last week & its a great read like you said
Thx for that

Is Operation Market-garden Then and Now worth buying ?

Quel coincidence I've just read what DRZW has to say about it. Quite generous to the Allies too. M-G is called a failure but then so is the German counter-operation (pinch off the salient at the base).

IMO, all of ATB's treatments of the major battles are worth having for the pictorial feast, including its 2-volume set on Market-Garden. While the narrative will provide you with the basic information about the operation, the photos and accompanying captions bring the history to life - the action, personalities, weapons, vehicles, equipment, uniforms. And if you're interested in visiting the battlefields, the books are very worthwhile.

Thanks very much for that

If you're thinking of visiting the Arnhem/Oosterbeek area, 'Market-Garden Then & Now' is almost essential......

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Orderd Market-Garden Then & Now 1& 2 this morning & will be looking to buy Berlin Then & Now as i'am going back next year for the air show

Just got a copy of Arnhem by Major General Roy Urquhart Commander of 1st Airborne Division published in 1958.

Have started reading it and it seems excellent, a well researched account from the man who was there and in charge of the British effort at Arnhem , bought it in a second hand book shop for next to nothing !

Paul

Although Urquhart's book was ghost-written, I've always rated it highly ; a very readable account. His opinions of fellow-officers show through as the book goes on, notably Horrocks, Browning and ( especially ) Thomas.

Wel lworth reading if you can get a copy ( not so easy these days ) is John Baynes' biography of Urquhart ( Urquhart of Arnhem, Brassey's 1993 ).

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Apart from Urquhart/Greatorex getting the bit about the Recce Squadron wrong not a bad book and loads of copies around relatively cheaply....