New Book: Kampfgruppe Walther & Panzer-Brigade 107 (Netherlands 1944)

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by hucks216, Dec 7, 2016.

  1. hucks216

    hucks216 Member

    For anyone interested in the fighting in the Netherlands in 1944 and in the period around Arnhem this book is a must. The author's previous book 'Autumn Gale' sold out quickly and now fetches over £250 on the second hand market.
    Although titled after the German units that the book deals with, in actual fact the narrative deals with the movements and fighting as seen from both sides with details gained from various War Diaries, Orders and interviews. The narrative covers the actions around Joe's Bridge and ends with the Battle of Overloon and is full of good quality photos.

    Taken from the publisher's site:
    This book deals with Kampfgruppe Walther and Panzerbrigade 107. Both units only existed for just over a month and for most of the time fought together as well. We have managed to unearth much new material on this relatively unknown battle group. The battle group first entered action on 11 September 1944 after the British Guards Division captured the bridge at Neerpelt, soon named Joe’s Bridge. In a bid to annihilate the bridgehead and, after this failed, to block any further Allied advance an improvised battle group was formed under Fallschirmjäger colonel Erich Walther. The group was made up of units from all services, including a number of Fallschirmjäger battalions, Luftwaffe infantry, regular army units (including cavalry), SS infantry and artillery (from the same two divisions, Frunsdberg and Hohenstaufen, that were to intervene at Arnhem), army anti-tank units and Panzerbrigade 107. For the first time we were able to reconstruct the –constantly shifting- composition of the battle group day by day. Kampfgruppe Walther after the failed attempt at Neerpelt became involved in Market Garden and managed to attack the infamous Hell’s Highway and in- terrupt the traffic to Nijmegen and Arnhem. In the middle of October it fought a fierce battle in the Peel marshes before Walther relinquished command and the eponymous battle group ceased to exist. During its brief period of existence it fought the Guards Division, the US 101st Airborne Division, the British 3rd Division and 11th Armoured Division plus the US 7th Armored Division. All of the engagements will be dealt with from both sides and in minute detail. The story culminates in the Battle for Overloon. Here some of the toughest fighting since Normandy took place and Allied and German casualties were horrendously high. We have found that the existing literature about this period is incomplete or even false. Finally some key questions will be answered such as, where was the first tank battle in the Netherlands in 1944? Why did the Panzerbrigade fail to take Son and Veghel? Why did the Americans fail to take Overloon? Et cetera.

    The book consists of 448 pages and costs around 75 Euros direct from the publishers (including shipping) and will only be limited to a single print run and just like Autumn Gale it is sure to sell out fast.

    The publishing/author's site from where the book can be ordered - Autumn Gale

    boek.jpg
     
    stolpi and canuck like this.
  2. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

  3. Marco

    Marco Senior Member

    Chris C, 8RB and hucks216 like this.
  4. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the neat review... just got myself a copy. Looking forward to that!
     
  5. Marco

    Marco Senior Member

    I am glad I did not pay euro 300+ for a second hand copy of Autumn Gale. The second print is out. Bought mine for the standard price of euro 90.

    Autumn Gale - Oorlogsmuseum Overloon
     
    stolpi and Chris C like this.

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