Essential reading for Market Garden, Plunder, Varsity and Remagen?

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Jonathan Ball, Nov 26, 2011.

  1. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Hi all

    In mind of a trip in 2012 I'm looking for reading suggestions for the above. I'm aware of the obvious titles A Bridge too Far, It Never Snows in September etc.. so what would you recommend that's a little more obscure yet won't cost £150 from a dealer?

    I'm just about to set off through the Arnhem/1st British Airborne Division/Op.Market Garden book collection thread so suggestions that save me a few hours would be most appreciated! :)

    Cheers

    Jonathan
     
  2. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    .

    .

    .
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 24, 2019
    Jonathan Ball likes this.
  3. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    That's a good start. Thanks Stolpi. I forgot to mention that I would more than welcome the German accounts of this period too.
     
  4. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Thanks Stolpi. PM Sent.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. Heimbrent

    Heimbrent Well-Known Member

    There also exists a site that contains a selection of down-loadable Foreign Military Studies (English translations) written after the war: Sturmpanzer.com - Sturmpanzer and WW2 German Army Research

    The problem with these is that they were written by German officers shortly after the war; they suffer from lack of sources and perspectives and probably aren't as objective as you might like to have them (also with the background of the Cold War).

    John Zimmermann's study Pflicht zum Untergang might be of interest to you, but I don't know whether it's been translated to English.
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    After The Battles two volumes on OMG.
     
  8. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Cheers Andy. They are definitely on the wish list. I ordered Owen's suggestion earlier.

    One thought. Where are all the Airborne boys here? ;)
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    One thought. Where are all the Airborne boys here? ;)

    Thinking of something to post in their book thread? :unsure:
     
  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Thinking of something to post in their book thread? :unsure:
    Or flagging up books for you :p
     
  11. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Ref-Varsity.... The Last Drop, by some fella called Stephen Wright ;) Stolpi is spot on with Middlebrooks book, for a little more unit based B company arrived by David Van Buggenham........although may be pricey and a little hard to find!
     
  12. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

     
  13. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    I'd suggest if a brief visit some of the Battleground Europe series...not that hard to find and do pull together some info found in other books.......Steer did the two Arnhem ones....
     
  14. Heimbrent

    Heimbrent Well-Known Member

    Heimbrent - I agree with you that the Studies should be read with care. Moreover they vary considerable in quality, depending on the willingness of the German commanders to cooperate and the amount of documents still available to them (in most cases nothing was left).

    But they give some insight in the 'other side of the hill', which otherwise would not have been available. Their value also is underlined by the fact that the Studies were extensively used by the Allied Historical Sections for compiling the Military Histories of the respective countries.

    The studies having been used as sources for military histories doesn't make them beyond reproach (Cold War, again). Keeping these limitations in mind though I agree with you, Stolpi.

    Other studies in English can be found here.

    You should also be able to find further reference to German accounts in bibliographies of studies dealing with the relevant subjects.
     
  15. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

  16. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    I ordered the Middlebrook book this morning. I expect it will be to his usual high standards.

    Thanks for the link Kate. Some very good stuff there.
     
  17. Heimbrent

    Heimbrent Well-Known Member

    Heimbrent - do you know of a catalogue of the Foreign Military Histories ... and do you know if they are still kept at the BundesArchiv-MilitärArchiv in Freiburg i.Br.?

    Went there several times to study the files on the Ardennes - but that is some years ago now.

    Just found a list here (takes some time to load).
    They still have them in Freiburg, yes. I remember going through some of them but I don't remember how I found them - I think they're thematically grouped, i.e. with the units they refer to (iirc not even denoted as part of the Foreign Military Studies).
     
    stolpi likes this.
  18. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    If you're after "tour guide" type books for Arnhem/Oosterbeek then the following are very good (and not too expensive!):

    1. A Tour of the Arnhem Battlefields by Col. Waddy (ISBN 0850525713)
    2. Market Garden Oosterbeek and the Landing Grounds by Frank Steer(ISBN 0850528569)
    3. Market Garden The Bridge by Frank Steer (ISBN 0850529395)
    4. Major & Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide (ISBN 0850527856)

    The After the Battle books on OMG, mentioned by Drew, are the "dogs dangly bits" but a bit expensive if you're just looking for a general guidebook.

    All the best and good luck trawling through the "book thread", rather you than me! :D...........
     
  19. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    ........B company arrived by David Van Buggenham........although may be pricey and a little hard to find!

    As rare as Hen's Teeth as you well know mate!!
     
  20. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    I ordered the Middlebrook book this morning. I expect it will be to his usual high standards.

    A very good book indeed...........but does have some mistakes.

    All the best.............:)
     

Share This Page