I am trying to get a more detailed overview of the battles around Beek (east of Nijmegen) during Market Garden (17-25 september 1944). Several authors (like P. Nordyke and R.G. Poulussen) have listed in their bibliography primary sources like units journals, reports, etc. Unfortunately I cannot find these documents for 508th PIR (or its battalions) within any archive. Perhaps a member of this forum has seen/read the unit journals, reports, etc, for 508th PIR? Who can advise me where to find these documents?
I have a book called The History of The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment I can share with you or you can use this link to download it History Of The 508th Parachute Infantry : Lord, William G : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Here’s a link to Field order no. 1 : Headquarters 508th Parachute Infantry. Operation Market World War II Operational Documents
As a heads up, while searching for information and ww2 documents for the 508th PIR, I have noticed that they used the following to identify the unit on these types of documents 508 PRCHT INF REGT, 82 ABN DIV I have used this to search for documents on line and it will give you more “hits” on info
And, while using FOLD3.COM (this is a subscription based service) you can find records of individual units, for example I found a MACR that describes an aircraft loss, the crew and the passengers. I’ve done screen shots on two pages below. So you can find more detailed info, but not sure if that is what you’re looking for.
AGF report No. 440 -- combat lessons of 82nd Airborne Division. World War II Operational Documents Graphic history of the 82nd Airborne Division: Operation "Market", Holland, 1944. World War II Operational Documents 82nd Airborne Division: Operation Market: historical data. World War II Operational Documents Role of air support in Operation Market. World War II Operational Documents Field Order No.11, 82nd Airborne Division, 13 September 1944. World War II Operational Documents Operations in Holland, September-November 1944. World War II Operational Documents Report of airborne phase (17-27 Sept., 44) Operation "Market", XVIII Corps World War II Operational Documents Memos - Operation Market (Holland) - 82d Airborne Division. World War II Operational Documents Statistical study based on reports of division personnel on parachute landings of 82d A/B Division troops in Operation "Market" 17 September 1944. Part_01 Map showing parachute landings 82d Airborne Division Operation Market. World War II Operational Documents Map showing glider landings 82d Airborne Division Operation Market. World War II Operational Documents 82nd D-Day paradrop by 50th and 52nd Wings for Operation 'Market'. World War II Operational Documents 82nd D+1 Day glider release by 50th and 52nd Wings for Operation 'Market'. World War II Operational Documents
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated! I have seen your listed documents too. Unfortunately I cannot find any original war diary (US 'unit journals') or report ('S1'-, 'S2-', 'S3-' nor 'daily') for 508 PIR or its battalions in the period 17-25 september 1944.
Have a look at Fort Moore center of excellence here, lots of documents including G-2 reports. Get also in touch with the Groesbeek Airborne friends, they have a lot of knowledge of this area. Hope you will share a post later about the situation that time in Beek.
Thanks a lot for this useful link. I just had a look and found several relevant unit journals and reports of 82nd Division, 504 PIR and 505 PIR. I am still continuing my search for these documents of 508 PIR. I will share several posts later about the battles around Voxhil, Wyler, Devil's Hill, Thornsche Molen and Beek.
I just sent an email to info@groesbeekairbornevrienden.nl for help. Authors like P. Nordyke and R.G. Poulussen mention these documents for 508 PIR in their bibliography so they should be available somewhere ...
By strange coincidence I am typing up my Grandfathers WWII manuscript for Nijmegen Bridge (operation market garden). Its very detailed starting at the 18th of September 1944. Whilst he was in 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards it may be of interest to you?
Thanks for your reply, Elizabeth. The fighting around the Nijmegen bridges is not the focus of my research. But I am sure many members of WW2talk will be very interested to hear his story!