Arnhem 1944: Another Look at Operation Market Garden

Arnhem 1944: Another Look at Operation Market Garden

by | Sep 7, 2023 | World War II

If you are interested in World War II, there is a book series you should not miss. Christer Bergstrom, a recognized expert on World War II, has written a two-volume series on Operation Market Garden. This article is about the first part: “Arnhem 1944, a historic battle reviewed, Part 1: tanks and paratroopers.”

Who is Christer Bergström?

Born in 1958, Christer Bergström is known as one of the top experts when it comes to World War II. With numerous books to his name, he has already done a lot of research on various events of the war. He has brought new insights on well-known events such as the Ardennes Offensive, the Battle of Britain and the fighting on the Eastern Front. Now he turns his attention to Operation Market Garden.

The Approach

In this first part, you get a picture of the run-up to Operation Market Garden. The Germans were under pressure and the Allies were making good progress. There was a moment, known as “Dolle Tuesday,” when many thought the war would soon be over.

The Events

Between Sept. 17 and 19, 1944, the operation began. The Allies landed in the Netherlands, aiming to capture important bridges. The Germans responded quickly, but also made some mistakes. The book goes deep into the fighting, including around the city of Nijmegen.

British tanks on the bridge near Nijmegen 1944

Photo credits See page for author, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Strategic Actions

Remarkably, the Americans captured the bridge at Nijmegen twice, but also lost it twice again. Only after a third attempt, during which they had to cross a river, did they succeed in capturing the bridge once and for all.

Why Read This Book?

  • New Perspective: This book offers a fresh look at a well-known historical event.
  • Detailed Information: You get a clear picture of the operation, from major strategies to individual actions.
  • Illustrations: The book includes historical photographs and maps, which helps to get a better idea of the situation at the time.

Conclusion

“Arnhem 1944, a historical battle revisited, Part 1: tanks and paratroopers” is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II. And once you’ve started, you’ll definitely want to read the second part as well, “Part 2: The Lost Victory,” which delves deeper into the end of the battle and subsequent fighting in Overloon. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of this crucial period in history.

Battle of Arnhem book

Photo credits cover photo: Corporal Andy Reddy RLC via Wikimedia Commons, commemorating 70 years of Market Garden.

The Führerbunker and the Reich Chancellery in Berlin

The Führerbunker and the Reich Chancellery in Berlin

by | Jul 21, 2023 | World War II

Introduction: Berlin in World War II

World War II was one of the most influential events in world history, and a center of this conflict was Berlin. The city had a number of important sites, including the Reich Chancellery and the infamous Führerbunker. These sites, both of which played an important role in the final days of the war, provide insight into Adolf Hitler’s personal life and life under the rule of the Third Reich.

The Reich Chancellery: Hitler’s Center of Power

Built between 1938 and 1939, the Reich Chancellery served as the official headquarters of Adolf Hitler, the Führer of Nazi Germany. This structure was designed by architect Albert Speer, who was best known for his ambitious building projects for the Third Reich.

The Reich Chancellery was a symbol of the Nazi regime, with its large-scale architecture intended to exude the power and prestige of Hitler’s Germany. There was a courtyard, offices, a large hall and an underground bunker.

The construction of the Führerbunker

The Führerbunker was Hitler’s last refuge. Built under the Reich Chancellery, it was a safe haven designed to protect Hitler and his staff from Allied bombing raids. Construction of the bunker began in 1936 and was completed in 1944, consisting of two levels with a total of 30 rooms.

The bunker’s walls were enormously thick, designed to withstand even the most powerful bombs of the time. The interior was austere, but good enough for the Führer and his staff during sieges.

Life in the bunker

Life in the Führerbunker was far from comfortable. Despite its safety, it was a place of constant tension and fear, with limited light and ventilation. Hitler spent his final period in this oppressive environment, surrounded by his closest associates as he tried to maintain control of the rapidly disintegrating Third Reich.

The end is approaching

In April 1945, as Allied troops approached Berlin, the Führerbunker was the scene of Hitler’s final days. Hiding in the bunker, he married his long-term partner Eva Braun, and shortly thereafter they both committed suicide.

After Hitler’s death, the bunker fell into the hands of Soviet troops. In the years that followed, the Führerbunker was largely destroyed and forgotten, a silent witness to the fall of the Third Reich.

The current state of the bunker

Today, little remains of the Führerbunker. There is now a parking lot on that site, and the only reminder of its historical significance is a small sign. The physical structure is largely gone, but its history is still present in the town’s memory.

More information and books/magazines about the Führerbunker and the Reich Chancellery

The story of the Reich Chancellery and the Führerbunker is only part of the extensive history of World War II. For those who want to learn more, we recommend purchasing volume 61 of the magazine “Then and Now 40-45,” which offers a comprehensive look at the events of that time.

Nedvision Publishing also offers a wide range of books on World War II in Berlin. These books highlight the many facets of this dark period and can serve as valuable resources for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge about this time. Explore Nedvision Publishing’s collection today.

Photo credits:

Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1988-092-32 / Obigt, W. / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons

A Dive into History: The Maginot Line and Fort Schoenenbourg in World War II

A Dive into History: The Maginot Line and Fort Schoenenbourg in World War II

by | Jul 20, 2023 | World War II

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Construction and Strategy of the Maginot Line
  3. The Role of the Maginot Line in World War II.
  4. Fort Schoenenbourg: An Impregnable Bastion?
  5. Evaluation of the Maginot Line: A Tragic Monument
  6. Conclusion
  7. Resources
  1. Introduction

World War II left deep marks in our collective memory. The Maginot Line, an elaborate defense system built by France, is one such symbol. In this article, we dive into the history of this iconic construction, with a special focus on Fort Schoenenbourg, one of the largest fortifications within the line.

  1. Construction and Strategy of the Maginot Line

The Maginot Line, one of the most ambitious military projects of the 20th century, was a complex network of bunkers, artillery positions and underground facilities. It stretched from the Belgian to the Swiss border. The strategy was simple but effective: to make a German invasion more difficult and costly in order to gain time to mobilize and obtain help from allies.

  1. The Role of the Maginot Line in World War II.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Maginot Line was on the front line of French defense. However, the strategic assumptions underlying the design of the line were invalidated by the Blitzkrieg, the fast and mobile warfare of the Germans.

  1. Fort Schoenenbourg: An Impregnable Bastion?

Fort Schoenenbourg, built in the 1930s, was one of the most imposing fortifications of the Maginot Line. Despite the rapid German advance into France, Schoenenbourg’s fortress remained impregnable. This fact attests to the effectiveness of the Maginot Line’s fortifications.

  1. Evaluation of the Maginot Line: A Tragic Monument

The Maginot Line could not stop the German invasion, but it remains an interesting monument to a time when people thought huge defenses were the key to security. But modern warfare, with its emphasis on mobility and speed, has overturned that notion.

  1. Conclusion

The Maginot Line is a reminder of World War II and the mistakes made in trying to end it. It is a powerful symbol of the need to constantly revise our ideas about security and defense.

  1. Sources for Deepening

Want to learn more about this fascinating subject? Then consider buying “Volume 60 of When and Now 40-45,” or check out the other books in Nedvision Publishing’s collection. The extensive selection offers detailed analyses and penetrating stories about this important chapter in World War II history, among others.

Photo credits: Galerie principale de l’ouvrage du Hackenberg. Photo prise par Fistos {{PD-user|Fistos}}

Arnhem 1944: a historic battle examined

Arnhem 1944: a historic battle examined

by | Mar 15, 2023 | Books, World War II

Swedish military historian Christer Bergstrom researched Operation Market-Garden and the Battle of Arnhem.

Through this site you can obtain an signed copy. In hardcover. The edition is limited.

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Hans Onderwater speaks at Lincoln on A Winged Gunner

Hans Onderwater speaks at Lincoln on A Winged Gunner

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Books, World War II

Hans Onderwater is regarded internationally as an expert on Operation Manna. At the invitation of the International Bomber Command Center in Lincoln, he gave a presentation to more than 200 interested people about the operation, the Hunger Winter and his recently published biography.

Through this site you can obtain an signed copy. In hardcover. The edition is limited.

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