Which is your area of interest in Arnhem in Sept '44

Obviously my prime interest was initially my Father's part in the battle, therefore the actions of the South Staffords. However in later years I became more interested in the part played by the Dutch civilian population that became embroiled in the fighting and the assistance that they gave to the evading soldiers in the following months.
Only a few days ago I was able to sit and talk with a 96 year old Dutch lady who described how she sheltered up to 50 evaders in her barn for four weeks.

John

 

Obviously my prime interest was initially my Father's part in the battle, therefore the actions of the South Staffords. However in later years I became more interested in the part played by the Dutch civilian population that became embroiled in the fighting and the assistance that they gave to the evading soldiers in the following months.
Only a few days ago I was able to sit and talk with a 96 year old Dutch lady who described how she sheltered up to 50 evaders in her barn for four weeks.

John

John that's an interesting story with regards to the old Dutch lady are you able to go into more detail about it?

 

For me its got to be the Air Landing Ambulances, RAMC

 

John that's an interesting story with regards to the old Dutch lady are you able to go into more detail about it?

Dave

It was Mevr Jannsen, the widow of Gijs Jannsen - see John O'Reilly's book "From Delhi to Arnhem" pages 304 - 306 for more information on "The Sheepbarn". She described the difficulties of feeding them, their ablutions, clothes washing etc whilst trying to prevent their presence becoming known to neighbouring farmers. After they had left they were forced to destroy the barn, and with it some of their livelihood, to prevent the presence of the evaders (and other events) becoming known. Her son, who was aged 4 at the time, was also present and added a lot of other detail. Obviously many of the evaders were family men and missed their children.

John

 

For me its got to be the Air Landing Ambulances, RAMC

Hear Hear.
djctoye, Have you visited Oosterbeek & Arnham, I have only had a brief time looking around, but what struck me was how much still remain of the of the sites used as Medical stations.
I hope you have read Niall Cherry excellent book "Red Berets and Red Crosses" about the RAMC during the Arnhem/Oosterbeek battle

 

Dave

It was Mevr Jannsen, the widow of Gijs Jannsen - see John O'Reilly's book "From Delhi to Arnhem" pages 304 - 306 for more information on "The Sheepbarn". She described the difficulties of feeding them, their ablutions, clothes washing etc whilst trying to prevent their presence becoming known to neighbouring farmers. After they had left they were forced to destroy the barn, and with it some of their livelihood, to prevent the presence of the evaders (and other events) becoming known. Her son, who was aged 4 at the time, was also present and added a lot of other detail. Obviously many of the evaders were family men and missed their children.

John


Thanks John, I will take a look at the book as suggested.

 

Would love to visit and read the book.

 

Hi All,

Where do I start I have some much inform about Arnhem ask Paul... He can tell you

Tom

 

So much written about it and it's still being written about now! The whole operation interests me but I really should know more about the fighting in 101st Airborne's sector. The German accounts of the fighting in Kershaw's book and the fragments I've picked up elsewhere point to some fierce but very confused fighting in the corridor. Does anyone have any recommendations for a book, or books, that deal with this specifically?

 

So much written about it and it's still being written about now! The whole operation interests me but I really should know more about the fighting in 101st Airborne's sector. The German accounts of the fighting in Kershaw's book and the fragments I've picked up elsewhere point to some fierce but very confused fighting in the corridor. Does anyone have any recommendations for a book, or books, that deal with this specifically?

Hi Gomyway,

I don't claim to have read much on the 101st in Holland (my area of interest is 1st British Airborne) but there are some here to get you started.

Amazon.co.uk: hells highway: Books

One I have read which I think is very good is "A Bridge Too Far" by Cornelius Ryan and if you want great pics then "Operation Market Garden: Then & Now Vols I & II" by Karel Magry is excellent (if a bit expensive!)
I'm sure there are dozens more but I'll have to leave the reviews to someone else.

All the best..............

 

So much written about it and it's still being written about now! The whole operation interests me but I really should know more about the fighting in 101st Airborne's sector. The German accounts of the fighting in Kershaw's book and the fragments I've picked up elsewhere point to some fierce but very confused fighting in the corridor. Does anyone have any recommendations for a book, or books, that deal with this specifically?


'A Screaming Eagle In Holland' by Donald R Burgett

 

I think that the thing that really interests me are the people of Arnhem.....Now their town was torn apart by the fighting and many of them died, yet they treat the fallen soldiers from the Airborne as true hero's and children have graves to look after until the next generation come along and take their place and even after 60 years plus this has not faded with time.

 

'A Screaming Eagle In Holland' by Donald R Burgett

Thanks, some interesting reviews on Amazon but I'll keep it in mind.

Thank you Paul too, I have read Ryan (it's mandatory isn't it?) but I feel the need to go beyond that regarding the 101st now.

 

Thanks, some interesting reviews on Amazon but I'll keep it in mind.

Thank you Paul too, I have read Ryan (it's mandatory isn't it?) but I feel the need to go beyond that regarding the 101st now.

It certainly is mate! Good luck with your reading.

 

Thanks, some interesting reviews on Amazon but I'll keep it in mind.

Thank you Paul too, I have read Ryan (it's mandatory isn't it?) but I feel the need to go beyond that regarding the 101st now.

I have some about 101st Airborne Division and Market Garden here on my list

Operation Market Garden Books

Ron

 

I have some about 101st Airborne Division and Market Garden here on my list

Operation Market Garden Books

Ron

Thanks, I feel almost spoilt for choice now!

 

There have only been a few books written about the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment's crossing of the Waal River. Captain Burris commanded Company I of the 504th PIR for this famous crossing.

 

James Megellas was a Platoon Commander in Company H of the 504th PIR for the Waal River crossing.

 

Delbert Kuehl was a decorated Army Chaplain and Paratrooper who willingly followed his troops into battle during World War II. He received a Silver Star for Valor and a Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds incurred while crossing the Waal River with the 504th PIR in Holland.

Allan Taylor wrote a small little book about Delbert Kuehl titled FRONT LINE. . . WITH THE PARATROOPERS OR ON THE MISSION FIELD. In it Kuehl talks about his experiences in WW II and the Waal River crossing.




Delbert Kuehl



***Note: Chaplain Kuehl was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and three Presidential Unit Citations.

 

I am most interested in the participation of 50th (Northumbrian) Division in MARKET-GARDEN, and the actions that followed the withdraw of 1st Airbn Div from Oosterbeek. In late September and early October, the Germans launched a major counteroffensive to eliminate the Allied salient north of Nijmegen. This German thrust was a total and very costly failure, but this part of the campaign has been too often ignored by historians. (For a good account of the actions of 50th Div and US 101st Airbn Div in this period, see Tim Saunders, The Island (2002)).