Operation Market Garden was the largest airborne operation during World War II. Based on perhaps the most thorough research ever, this book changes current conclusions and views surrounding this historic battle. Extensive research, with detailed source citations by the author has led to the debunking of many myths and misconceptions. This is vividly described, supplemented by eyewitness accounts. The hitherto unknown detour the British paratroopers had to make to the Arnhem bridge is exposed here. This one cost them crucial time. The fact that the Americans managed to take the bridge at Nijmegen twice on the evening of Sept. 17 – and voluntarily gave up again – is presented and commented on here. These and more similar new facts provide a completely changed picture of Operation Market Garden. This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in this operation and for those who do not want to miss out on new insights into this fascinating episode in World War II and the history of the Netherlands.
Table of contents
Glossary and Guide to Abbreviations 5
Military Ranks 14
Timeline 15
Dramatis personae 16
Author’s Preface 18
QR Codes 27 I. German Collapse in the West 29
II. Operation Market Garden 63
III. Armored assault – Sept. 17, 1944 115
IV. The Screaming Eagles – Sept. 17, 1944 129
V. The Red Devils – September 17, 1944 153
VI. Wrong Priorities – Nijmegen Sept. 17, 1944 211
VII. ‘Frost’s Bridge’ – September 18, 1944 233
VIII. Nijmegen and Oosterbeek Sept. 18, 1944 – Failed Attacks 257
IX. Reinforcements for The Red Devils September 18, 1944 285
X. Armor breaks through to Nijmegen September 18 – 19, 1944 325
XI.
Nijmegen 19 September 1944 349 Maps
Operation Market Garden inside paper cover
The journey through France 28
101st Airborne Division 17 September 1944 130
1st Airborne Division 17 September 1944 152
Den Brink and Oosterbeek-Low 200
82nd Airborne Division 17 September 1944 210
The bridges at Nijmegen 224 350
The road bridge at Arnhem 232
West Arnhem 272
The Ginkel Heath and the Renkum Heath 292 Organizational structure of military units on both sides 369
Written sources 375
Notes 378
Register of names 393
About the author
Christer Bergström (b. 1958) has a reputation as one of the experts on World War II. He has written 31 books on the subject, all in English. Through extensive research, he has provided new insights on many events, including the Ardennes Offensive, the Battle of Britain, Market Garden and Eastern Front.
