I'm off to Arnhem for a few days in September, so can anyone recommend any good books, in particular I'm after personal accounts. Thanks in advance.
I would particularly recommend the guidebook by Colonel John Waddy. He kindly gave me valuable advice when planning my 2003 school tour. The three best overall accounts, in my view, are 'The Devil's Birthday' by Geoffrey Powell, 'Arnhem: The Airborne Battle' by Martin Middlebrook and the ground-breaking 'It Never Snows in September' by Robert Kershaw. All of these books contain extensive quotations from personal accounts, those in the John Waddy book being keyed to the particular sites on the battlefield tours he describes. I must confess that I haven't read the recent Lloyd Clark book and I found the William Buckingham study entertaining but splenetic. It has more than a whiff of Allan Clark's 'The Donkeys' about it. 'Boy' Browning really gets it in the neck! A very atmospheric fictionalized memoir is 'Men at Arnhem' by 'Tom Angus' (AKA Major Geoffrey Powell). We read his moving account of the heroic resupply attempts at the Air Dispatchers' Memorial at Oosterbeek.
Lyndon, I've a copy of Arnhem Spearhead by James Sims sat on my bookshelf that I bought at a church jumble sale for 50p a few years ago. If you would like to read it PM me your address & I'll post it to you.
Many thanks for your input guys. I didn't realise I had read so many books on Arnhem. I think I'll take a look at the Devils Birthday as it seems I haven't read that one. Also does anyone have a copy of Martin Middlebrooks book on Arnhem, I have it somewhere but I can't find it. I'm sure there is a reference to a company from the Ox & Bucks being at Arnhem - Can anyone confirm this for me.
Many thanks for your input guys. I didn't realise I had read so many books on Arnhem. I think I'll take a look at the Devils Birthday as it seems I haven't read that one. Also does anyone have a copy of Martin Middlebrooks book on Arnhem, I have it somewhere but I can't find it. I'm sure there is a reference to a company from the Ox & Bucks being at Arnhem - Can anyone confirm this for me. Where to start? Personal accounts...loads in the Middlebrook book, otherwise there are a few personal stories from Arnhem like the already mentioned Arnhem Spearhead, then there is A Sapper at Arnhem, Arnhem Lift, Diary of a Red Devil and a Fragment of a Life..... Then there have been numerous 'unit accounts' full of personal accounts like Off at Last 7th KOSB When Dragons Flew 1st Borders Leading the Way 21st Ind Company With Spanners Descending REME B Company Arrived 2nd Parachute Battalion and by no means last Red Berets and Red Crosses RAMC I could mention others and will if you suggest what unit you're after.... I'm not a fan of the Clark book as it it full of inaccuracies...... As to a company of the Ox and Bucks at Arnhem.....not a company but the defence platoon for 1st AB Div HQ was formed from men of that unit when they were part of it in NA in 1943 and stayed behind when the rest went to 6th Airlanding Brigade. 3 or 4 died at Arnhem..... Hope this helps but lots of things on Arnhem.....
As to a company of the Ox and Bucks at Arnhem.....not a company but the defence platoon for 1st AB Div HQ was formed from men of that unit when they were part of it in NA in 1943 and stayed behind when the rest went to 6th Airlanding Brigade. 3 or 4 died at Arnhem..... Thanks for you help Airborne Medic. Apart from Middlebrook's Book I've never found any reference to the Ox & Bucks platoon and I would love to know more. There is nothing in the Ox & Bucks War chronicles, may be I should try the war diaries. Anyway there's plenty for my perusal to be getting on with! Once again my fellow posters many thanks!
If you have John Hey's roll of honour he lists the 4 or so Ox and Bucks casualties....when are you in Arnhem? I'm going in September to help with a small BFT...... Not sure if the defence platoon ran their own war diary......
By the way one of the books mentioned by me previously is now down to very low stocks I'm told (Red Berets and Red Crosses 15 or so copies left) and it won't be reprinted......
Be sure to visit the Museum in Oosterbeek, as this would probably your last change to see it in the way it is now, and for what I am hearing the new one would not be as good as it is now!
52nd There ae too many books on my bookcase to recommend any individual one! but make sure you have read plenty by the time you go, you have got 2 months or so to do so! Try and get a copy of Holt's tour guide as well, seems quite good, although I didnt take it last time I went (DOH!) I hope you have your accomodation booked, if not, well, I think you might be struggling, if you are going over there for the anniversary. I'm not going this year, I have run out of holidays and money, but a friend of mine is going with some veterans. I'm sure you have your iterinary worked out already but if not, try not to miss the drop on the Saturday at Ginkelheide (hope I've spelled it properly!) I'm hoping to be over there next yeary, but in May or June!. Just had a quick look through my files and can see nothing about the chaps from OBLI. There probably would not have been a War Diary for such a small unit. Commander of Defence Platoon was Lt Butterworth CSM WO2 R Field from the ROH by Hey would appear 5 casualties shown as OBLI. Have a good time and remember to take lots of photographs (and take plenty of spare batteries!) Regards Andy
Thanks for your post A.B.E. Yes, I am visiting over the anniversary and my accomodation is sorted. This will be my third visit and my first walking the area. I have read a majority of the books mentioned in this thread and I also have the ROH by Hey. There was an officer also killed - Captain Thomas-Moy who was with 1st Airlanding Brigade. Yes you're right there wouldn't be a war diary for such a small unit but they could possibly be mentioned in the 2nd Bn war diary as being attached to the 1st Airborne? My next quest is to find a decent map of the area (1.25,000 scale) and thus so far searching the Internet for something that scale has proved fruitless.
I noticed when at the NA the other day MLRS have republished an Arnhem map: MLRS Books Limited: Reprints of military history source materials, especially from World War II - Arnhem 1944 (September) The VVV in Oosterbeek has a full set of the modern local maps in decent scale; that's the only place I have ever been able to buy them. I don't believe you can get them online.
This document was in the family since the war. Did not realize it's significance until I found out my Uncle was in 21st Ind Para Coy. Anyone got Part 1?
I have got three of those booklets but from 1943! Picked them up for 50p each I think (Bargain!) Andy
Thanks for your post A.B.E. My next quest is to find a decent map of the area (1.25,000 scale) and thus so far searching the Internet for something that scale has proved fruitless. Can I suggest one of your first actions in oosterbeek is to go to the Museum and get the Waddy map or one produced for the Museum - both are based on the 1:25,000 Army Map service US Army 1944 Part of 6NW Arnhem 388 Ginkel. Both are similar and the Waddy one is denoted with the stands from his BFT book.....I also think the Waddy map is available from Airborne Promotions at Aldershot....and shouldn't be more than £2 or £3....I'm looking at my copy of the Museum one as I write this!
Thanks A.M. I've just looked on the Airborne Promotions website and the map isn't listed, I shall keep a lookout for it.
Thanks A.M. I've just looked on the Airborne Promotions website and the map isn't listed, I shall keep a lookout for it. OK....they used to sell it....I do know the Oosterbeek Museum shop had some in April....perhaps have a look on their website......
