In this section you can buy books, films, etc, from retailers independent of this site. I have attempted to provide my own, uncritical descriptions of the items where I can, but any that are preceeded by "Synopsis" are the words of others.
Support The Battle of Arnhem Archive
I have joined the Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk Associates programmes, meaning that I advertise their website and selected products on my site, in return for which I earn commission on every item sold through it. So if you have any items of any description that you wish to purchase off them in the near future I'd greatly appreciate it if you would access their site via the links provided below, because in the process you will inadvertantly, and at no cost to yourself, be providing me with much needed funds that I shall use for the future development of this site. Thanks ever so much.
Amazon.co.uk Books, DVD's, etc.
Magazines
Pegasus Journal
The magazine of the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. A truly excellent source for comrades and relatives seeking information on former members of the Airborne Forces. Includes the latest news concerning the present day units of the Parachute Regiment, also on branches of the Parachute Regimental Association, and obituaries of recently departed members. Published in June and December each year, an annual subscription costs £13 for shipping within the UK, or £19 for overseas surface mail / £25 for airmail (International Money Orders only). Cheques made out to The Pegasus Journal and posted to the address below:
The Pegasus Journal
Regimental Headquarters The Parachute Regiment
Flagstaff House
Napier Road
Colchester
Essex
CO2 7SW
Email: pegasus@parachute-regiment.com
60th Anniversary of Arnhem, Special Edition of the Pegasus Journal
Limited stock. The magazine covers all aspects of the battle and is packed with personal accounts from those who served there. Copies can be obtained from:
Pegasus,
8 Creykes Court,
The Millfields,
Plymouth
PL1 3JB
email : Pegasus@parachute-regiment.com, cost of the special magazine is £5 including postage.
Special Offer: First Edition of the Parachute Regiment Journal
The first journal of Pegasus, the journal of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces, which was produced in 1946 has been re-printed to mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of the magazine. Printed in black and white in A5 format the 1946 publication is packed with post war stories and reports from the battalions. Copies are now available at £8.99 including post and packing from DRA Publishing, 8 Creykes Court, The Millfields Business Park, Plymouth PL1 3JB. Please make cheques payable to DRA Publishing.
Books
|
|
Airborne Armour by Keith Flint
Airborne Armour is a history of the use of tanks within 6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment. Beginning with a thorough examination of the development of the Tetrarch light tank and the gliders which flew them into action, the book discusses the origins of the Regiment as "C" Special Service Squadron, which, in 1942, played a part in the little known amphibious assault on Madagascar. The book details the conversion of the Squadron to the Airborne role, and then describes the actions of this pioneering formation with the 6th Airborne Division throughout the 1944-45 campaigns in Normandy, the Ardennes, Operation Varsity and the Advance into Germany. The author, Keith Flint, has researched the subject matter well and provides a very complete assessment of the role of Airborne Armour during the Second World War. Highly recommended.
Price: £21.95. Copies may be purchased from http://www.helion.co.uk/ |
All Men Are Brothers
the Polish Roll of Honour, The Battle Of Arnhem, 1944, by Andries Hoekstra.
In the weekend of 17 September 2005 a new book will be released. It is a tribute to the Polish soldiers and airmen that were killed in Operation Market Garden in September 1944, during the battle of Arnhem. The introduction tells the reader why and how the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group was formed and the important part its commander Major-General Stanislaw F. Sosabowski played in this process. These soldiers and officers trained hard for one goal only; the liberation of Poland. In stead they landed near Arnhem and many of them would never see their beloved Poland again. "All Men Are Brothers" contains the records of the 101 Polish soldiers that were killed during the battle of Arnhem. Each record is spread on two pages. The left page shows a portrait photo and the personal information, the opposite page shows the photo of the gravestone, and information on the cemetery and plot number.
"All Men Are Brothers" is bilingual (Polish and English). 224 pages, full colour, more then 300 unique photos of which most have never been published before in a book. Printed on high quality glossy paper with a strong binding. It will be shipped in a special strong cardboard packing. "All Men Are Brothers" will be released on September 17th, 2005. The price is €22,50 including package and postage in Europe, and €27,50 outside Europe. --- SPECIAL OFFER--- pre-order and pay for this unique book before August 10th, 2005 for: €17,50 including package and posting within Europe and €22,50 including package and posting outside Europe. For further details see http://www.marketgarden.com/sales/amab-en.php (English) and http://www.marketgarden.com/sales/amab-nl.php (Dutch).
|
|
Arnhem: Operation 'Market Garden' September 1944 by Lloyd Clark
Synopsis: Lloyd Clark provides a chronological overview of the operation, from its initial conception through to the end of the battle. It emphasises the land and air aspects of the fighting, as well as the participation from all parties involved - Britain, America and Poland and the Germans defending. Lavishly illustrated with some 200 photographs (many unpublished) this book offers a new perspectives on what actually happened on Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem. 0 7509 2835 2 19. September 2002. Price: £25.00. Click here to buy |
Brotherhood of the Cauldron
Irishmen in the 1st Airborne Division from North Africa to Arnhem, by David Truesdale.
Brotherhood of the Cauldron tells the story of some 300 men who served in or with the 1st Airborne Division during the Second World War. These men came from all the counties of Ireland, both the "loyal" north and "neutral" south, and many were awarded decorations for bravery, including one Victoria Cross. Ten years of research, including trips to the battlefield and interviews with many veterans, has produced a work that will benefit not only those interested in the Arnhem operation, but those seeking information on their family histories. More than 200 photographs accompany the text; some will be familiar to students of airborne operations, but in many cases the captions identify men previously unknown. Other photographs are being published for the first time, some being reproduced from old newspaper cuttings or well-worn snapshots taken from the backs of drawers or wallets, where they have lain forgotten for many years. For a few men the war was a horror best forgotten, for others a defining point in their lives, but for most it was simply something that had to be done.
Price £12.95. Copies are still available from the Border Regiment Museum, Carlisle, or from David Truesdale - david.truesdale@homecall.co.uk
Bruintje Beer bij Arnhem - English translation to follow
by Philip Reinders, Wybo Boersma
Over het vrijwel onbekend afwerpen van deze zogenaamde "Ruperts" tijdens de Slag om Arnhem! 52 Pagina's (52 pages), 18 Foto's (18 photographs), 3 kaartjes (3 maps). Nederlandse uitgave. Prijs slechts 8.95 zonder verzendkosten met 12 euro, heb er een aantal liggen, dus laat het maar even weten.
By Land, Sea and Air
An Illustrated History of the 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment 1939-1945, by Alex Junior and Bart Smulders.
Robert Sigmond Publishing is pleased to announce the publication of their new book on the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment during World War Two. This book is the story of a Regular Battalion that in September 1939 was stationed in India before returning to the UK in July 1940. In 1941 they were selected to convert to an Airlanding unit in the newly forming 1st Airlanding Brigade and started a short association with gliders. Sent to North Africa in early 1943 they took part in the invasion of Sicily by air in July 1943 and suffered heavy casualties. They later took part in the invasion of Italy in September 1943 and the subsequent fighting there before returning to the UK in early 1944. Kicking their heels in the UK they watched their comrades in the 6th Airborne Division take part in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and were frustrated by numerous cancelled airborne operations. Then in September 1944 along came an ambitious airborne operation called Market Garden for the invasion of Holland. Landing in Holland they were to undergo a week's savage street fighting in Arnhem and Oosterbeek. They won two of the five Victoria Crosses awarded during the fighting. The authors have spent many years researching the role of the 2nd South Staffords in the 1st Airlanding Brigade and have numerous personal accounts which portray a realistic picture of the fighting in Sicily, Italy and Holland. These coupled with Official Reports provide the first ever account of this fighting Battalion. ISBN 90-804718-6-0, 224 pages, hardback, full colour dust wrapper, 175 b/w illustrations.
Price £20. Available from Niall Cherry, UK. Cheques for £20 + £4.60 postage per copy should be made payable to "N Cherry" and sent to:
N Cherry
3 Church Road
Warton
Lancashire
PR4 1BD
|
|
Diary of a Red Devil by Albert Blockwell
Synopsis: Diary of a Red Devil relates the war time experiences of a young man, Albert Blockwell from the north-east of England, who in February 1940 was called up for service with the Army. Initially conscripted into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and trained as a vehicle mechanic, he was then posted in March 1940 to a pre-war Territorial unit - The 7th Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Then in September 1944 Albert flew to Holland on Operation Market-Garden and his account (written in PoW camp) describes the savage nine days fighting at Arnhem from the slit trench level. Taken prisoner on the last day his account then describes the spartan life in PoW camp without pulling any punches.
Sadly Albert died in 2001 but his diary survived and his daughter Maggie Clifton together with help from two published 'Arnhem' authors have edited a unique account of the fighting at Arnhem from the frontline soldier's perspective.
Price: £19.75. Copies may be purchased from http://www.helion.co.uk/ |
Every Man an Emperor by Gerry Leaper
Synopsis
by the author: I am delighted to present Every Man An Emperor, my
tribute to those men who fought at Arnhem almost 62 years ago. I have
vivid memories of those days in 1944 when as a seven year-old the men in
red berets arrived in our village almost doubling the population. I was
in awe of them [and still am]. This is a work of fiction which follows
three ordinary blokes from their training to the maelstrom that was
Arnhem. Throughout I have used poetic license including imagined
conversations between senior officers during the planning of the
operation. I also own up to interfering with the UK location of the
Reconnaissance Squadron upon which I base this novel, which meant
fictionally changing the Signals Unit's base. I apologize to the
villages of Caythorpe and Ruskington for this, and to the airborne
personnel concerned. Even in rural New Zealand, we have those with
memories of Arnhem. I have chatted with the widow of an officer of the
Lonsdale Force, and a Dutch lady who lived in the heart of the battle.
After clearing my costs I intend to make a donation to a suitable
Veterans' Association. As this novel is self-published, it is not in
retail shops [yet] and is available through the Trafford Publishing
Website. Using Google, key in Every Man an Emperor and you will see this
Website and also Trafford's. Alternatively you can contact me the author
- Gerry Leaper on rnm60@hotmail.com.
I have stocks available priced at NZ$30.00 plus postage (UK/Europe
NZ$12.06 - US NZ$11.15 - Aus NZ$6.33 and New Zealand $3.50). Please
contact me with any comments - I can send a couple of sample chapters if
you wish - I tend to respond more favourably to praise rather than
criticism - but don't hold back! Regards, Gerry Leaper, South Island,
New Zealand.
|
|
Go To It by Peter Harclerode
The history of the 6th Airborne Division, in Normandy, the Ardennes, the Rhine Crossing, Far East, and Palestine. The book contains more than 200 pictures and is signed by the author Peter Harclerode. It costs £25 and is available from DRA Books, 8 Creykes Court, The Millfields, Plymouth, PL1 3JB. |
|
|
Green On by Arie-Jan van Hees
Synopsis: "Green On!" concentrates on the involvement of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Army Service Corps "Air Despatchers" and their parachute re-supply sorties, flown during Operation "Market". Between 18 and 25 September 1944, Stirlings and Dakotas of Nos. 38 and 46 Group flew 628 re-supply sorties to the "Arnhem/Oosterbeek area". Of these, 89 aircraft did not return to base, most of these crashed or belly-landed in enemy-occupied territory and many of their aircrew, flying personnel and air despatchers alike, paid the ultimate price. With the help of Dutch people and their resistance movement, many RAF and RASC air crew (and sometimes a "passenger") were able to escape and evade capture. Others had to endure captivity in a German prisoner of war camp. Their stories will be told in this book. See www.rafarnhemresupply.nl for more information.
Price: (including p&p) Euro 55.00. Regrettably the processing of UK banker's cheques will lead to additional costs of 10.00 Euros, so if you decide to pay by banker’s cheque then please issue the cheque at an amount of Euro 65.00. Another payment option for UK-customers is to transfer money into my “IBAN” (International Bank Account Number): NL 36 SNSB 0902518453, SWIFT address SNSBNL2A. Please advise your bank that the payment of Euro 55.00 must be made "Free of all charges to beneficiary" and that any administration and processing costs will be covered by you. (I have been told that these costs can amount to Euro 3.50). At this moment it appears that the forwarding of bank notes (Euro 55.00) by mail (registering is up to the customer) is the most cost effective alternative. Although I prefer payment in the Euro currency; if customers have trouble acquiring 55.00 Euros from their bank or Post Office, the final alternative I can offer is to send £40.00 by mail. The author will then take care of exchanging the UK currency into Euros. If in doubt you can contact me by telephone at 00-31-43-4092279 or at ariejan@marketgarden.com or via mail: Arie-Jan van Hees, Courtpendu 7, 6245 PE Eijsden, The Netherlands. |
|
|
Ireland's generals in the Second World War by Richard Doherty
Synopsis: This book looks at the wartime careers of nineteen Irishmen who reached general officer rank - from brigadier upward - and assesses their records. As well as the best-known (Alexander, Auchinleck and Montgomery), the author also reminds us about Britain's first successful general of the war, Richard O'Connor, and the commander of the UK's anti-aircraft defences, Tim Pile, as well as two commanders of the Irish Brigade (Nelson Russell and Pat Scott), another infantry brigade commander (Adrian Gore) and tank brigade commander David Dawnay. Here also is one of the most successful divisional commanders of the war - Freddie Loftus Tottenham - who led a West African division in Burma, as well as the man who took over command of the Chindits after Orde Wingate's death - Joe Lentaigne. The book also includes three generals of English birth who were of Irish stock - Sir Richard McCreery, whose family roots were in Co. Tyrone, Sir Brian Horrocks, whose mother came from Co. Antrim, and Sir Allan Adair, also from an Antrim family.
To buy: http://www.four-courts-press.ie/cgi/bookshow.cgi?file=irishgens.xml |
|
|
Love, Honor, and Cherish by Sandra Bonilla Thompson
Synopsis: As the greatest war in history raged, they fell in love. He was in the 502nd Parachute Infantry before it became a part of the 101st Airborne Division. She was the beautiful Southern girl who stole his heart. From 1942-1944, as he trained at Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, and "Somewhere in England," through D-Day and Operation Market Garden, they wrote of a love that would last forever.
Honored Veteran Praises Love, Honor, and Cherish... "The history of the 101st Airborne Division and the 502nd Parachute Infantry during World War II is well-researched, and the book includes great photographs of paratroopers in action and families on the home front. It's the best book I've read about how war affects a soldier and his family. It's as relevant as today's headlines. Every American should read it." Col. Jerry D. Autry. Col. Jerry D. Autry, USA, Retired, is a veteran of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the author of General William C. Lee: Father of the Airborne. Col. Autry was the most highly decorated Army chaplain of the Viet Nam era.
To buy: www.airbornebooks.com |
Operation Market Garden: The Battles for Nijmegen and Arnhem September 1944; An appreciation of the Royal Engineer Element by John Carbis
Synopsis: Although much of this is by sheer force of circumstance, bound up with the gallant events of the Allied Airborne force during those few fateful days in September 1944, there is another equally important series of events that should be attributed to the 'engineering achievement' both by the airborne engineers and those of XXX Corps; it is this emphasis that this book has endeavoured to highlight. Lt Colonel Myers, the CRE at Arnhem, in his after action report said of 4 Parachute Squadron RE. "Sappers can fight or they can do field engineering. This Parachute Squadron had, for months almost years, been yearning for a fight. It got it and it did magnificently as soldiers."
To buy: Contact In-Pensioner 347 J C CARBIS, 13-4 Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR. Telephone: 020 7881 5390, Email: john_carbis@hotmail.com. Price: £20.00 + P&P.
|
|
Orange Blood, Silver Wings by Stewart Bentley
Synopsis: The story of the Dutch Resistance and the Allied Jedburgh teams during Operation Market Garden is one that has been overlooked by nearly all of the popular histories on this audacious failure. The sacrifice of individual Dutch Resistance members to help the Allies liberate their homeland is detailed here in a story drawn from archival reports, memoirs and first person interviews.
See excerpts of this work in the Reports section of the site. Available from Amazon.com and http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~38913.aspx |
|
|
The Royal Air Force at Arnhem by Luuk Buist, Philip Reinders, and Geert Maassen
The story of the glider and re-supply missions. Contains 200 pages and 175 photographs. Price is €37,50.
To buy: www.airbornemuseum.com/ or for orders in the UK write to Niall Cherry, niall.cherry@baesystems.com for details, price £25 + £4.60 postage. |
|
|
Some of the People all the Time by Alastair Mackay
Alastair Mackie was formerly an Air Commodore and H-bomber pilot, twice decorated in war and twice again in peace. He left his RAF career early because he disagreed with British and NATO defence policy - in particular with what he describes as "Britain's idiotic nuclear so-called deterrent". On leaving the RAF he studied law and then became Under Treasurer at the Middle Temple... He is currently a Vice-President of CND and a volunteer mental hospital visitor. A self-styled battler Briton, Mackie tells with combative gusto the story of the extraordinary array of characters he came across, running the gamut from monarch and presidents by way of peers, paedophiles, clerics, peddlers of tobacco, booze and much else, as well as politicians and other villains. No holds barred or expletives deleted. Aviators and other ex-service people will enjoy the account of 47 aircraft types, 5,000 hours and 26 years of flying including 70 odd bombing raids, as well as airborne operations in Normandy and at Arnhem and the Rhine.
Order from Book Guild Publishing, Pavilion View, 19 New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1UF or info@bookguild.co.uk, prices £20.00 in pp (UK), £21.50 (Europe) or £24.50 elsewhere overseas. Or from Vine House Distributors Ltd, Mullany Business Park, Deanland Road, Golden Cross, BN27 3RT, 01825 873133. Also available from good bookshops from 30th November 2006, or on the internet from Amazon. |
With Nothing Bigger Than A Bren Gun: The Defence of the Schoolhouse at the Road Bridge During the Battle of Arnhem 1944 by Niall Cherry
Brendon Publishing is pleased to announce the publication of a new booklet looking at a specific aspect of the Battle of Arnhem in the Second World War. This booklet looks at the actions of a small group of men from the 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers and C Company of the 3rd Parachute Battalion who held a vital position in the defensive perimeter around the road bridge. This group occupied a Schoolhouse on the eastern side of the bridge from the evening of 17th September to the afternoon of the 20th with nothing bigger than a Bren gun and against heavy and repeated attacks. Numerous accounts from members of both units who fought there are included. This book is recommended to everybody with an interest in the Battle of Arnhem and the Airborne Forces. Available in the UK from N Cherry 3 Church Road Warton Lancs PR4 1BD and in Holland from Robert Sigmond of Renkum and the Airborne Museum Hartenstein at Oosterbeek. Website www.airbornemuseum.com Email for information on orders: niall.cherry@baesystems.com and robert.sigmond@planet.nl.
38 pages, 16 illustrations, 2 maps. Price £6 + 80p per copy postage. Price to members of The Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum £5.00
DVD and Video
Market Garden
Gelderland (a province of The Netherlands) played an important role in the liberation of Europe during the Second World War. After the invasion the allied forces wanted to march on to Berlin. General Montgomery decided to advance through Nijmegen and Arnhem. But before they could, important bridges had to be conquered. This was the goal of Operation Market Garden. Hundreds of aircraft dropped thousands of soldiers. But the battle did not turn out the way they expected....
In co-operation with Television Gelderland, HRmedia has produced a unique DVD on which Operation Market Garden is reconstructed.
Almost two hours of footage with memories of people who were there. How do they look back on the battle for freedom?
Special feature on this DVD is a witness report of a German soldier who was there to defend the bridge. This DVD is in Dutch and English.
To buy: http://www.hrmedia.nl/marketgarden/index_eng.htm
