A Bridge Too Far

  Buttlar, Major General Horst von, OB West, A Study in Command, Atlantic Wall to Siegfried Line, O.C.M.H., MS. B-672.

  Christiansen, General Friederich, CO Luftwaffe, German Armed Forces in the Netherlands, Interrogation of, File No. 67 Nijmegen Archives; Testimony and trial proceedings, Dutch Ministry of Justice, July-August, 1948.

  Feldt, General Kurt, Corps. H. Q. Feldt and 406th Division from 17-21 September 1944. O.C.M.H., MS. C-085.

  Fullriede, SS Col. F. W. H., C.O. Replacement & Training Para. Brigade Hermann Goring. Utrecht. Personal Diary, September 1-October 5, 1944. Translated by Peter Ranger. Interrogation of, April 8, 1948, Nijmegen Archives, File 83.

  Harmel, SS Major General Heinz, C.O. 10th SS PZ Division Frundsberg. Personal diary; maps, Orders of Battle; Operational Orders and pertinent sections of Official War Diary. All called the “Harmel Papers,” as given to the author.

  Harzer, SS Lt. Col. Walter, CO., 9th SS PZ Division Hohenstaufen, H.Q. War Diaries, Operation Reports and Interrogations, all under “Harzer Papers.” File #74; H.Q. Daily Reports, Document #78013/19. U.S., British and Dutch Archives.

  Heichler, Lucien, The Germans Opposite 30th Corps, an account of the First Parachute Army on the Albert Canal. Research monograph. Washington, D.C.: O.C.M.H., Dept. of the Army, 1962.

  Heydte, Lt. Col. Frederick von der, C.O., 6th Para. Regiment. 6 FS Jaeger Regiment in Action Against U.S. Paratroopers in the Netherlands, September 1944; maps and overlays. O.C.M.H., MS. C-001.

  Krafft, SS Major Sepp, C.O., Panzer Grenadier Depot Battalion 16 Netherlands, correspondence between Krafft and Heinrich Himmler; Krafft “War Diary”; “The Battle of Arnhem” as presented to Heinrich Himmler; British Intelligence Corps translation of Krafft Diary, with commentary.

  Mattenklott, Lt. Gen. Frans, Report on Military Area 6 and The Rhineland, 15 September, 1944-21 March 1945. O.C.M.H., MS. B-044.

  Meindle, General Eugen, C.O., II Para. Corps. The II Para. Corps., 15 September, tember, 1944. Document Nos. III H 15450 and 75145/5.

  Model, Field Marshal Walter, OKW-AGpB War Diary, Operational Daily Reports, 1 September—15 October 1944. Document No. III H 15452/2; OKW—AGpB War Diary; Operations and Orders, September 1-September 30, 1944. Document No. III H 15453/2; AGpB—Situation and Weekly Reports; Telephone Log and Teletype Message Files, Proclamations for September, 1944. Document Nos. III H 15450 and 75145/5.

  190th Infantry Division, Report of, Commitment 17 September, 1944-16 April, 1945. O.C.M.H., MS. B-195.

  Poppe, Major General Walter, CO., 59th Infantry Division. 2nd Commitment of the 59th Infantry Division in Holland, 18 September—25 November, 1944. O.C.M.H., MS. B-149; War Diary and Operational Orders as given to the author.

  Rauter, SS Lt. Gen. Hans Albin, Trial proceedings, Dutch Ministry of Justice, 1952; Interrogations of and testimony in Dutch Historical Archives and in the Netherlands in Wartime, Vol. 4, No. 1 (March, 1949). Rauter’s Proclamations, Nijmegen Archives.

  Reinhard, Gen. Hans W., C.O. 88 Corps., Report of the Commander 6 June-21 December 1944, O.C.M.H., MS. B-343 and MS. B-156.

  Reinhardt, Maj. Gen. Hellmuth, C. of S. Wehrmacht Commander in Chief in Denmark. Commitment of the 406th Division Against the Allied Airborne Assault at Nijmegen, September 17, 1944. O.C.M.H., MS. C-085; Supplement to the Report, O.C.M.H., MS. C-085A.

  Rundstedt, Field Marshal Gerd von, OB West, Daily Reports of Commander in Chief West, September 2-30, 1944. Document No. 34002; OKW—OB West War Diary, September-October, 1944, including Annex 2224-2476. British and Dutch archives; OB West, A Study in Command, Atlantic Wall to Siegfried Line, Vols. I, II, III, O.C.M.H., MS. B-633.

  Scheidt, Wilhelm, Hitler’s Conduct of the War, O.C.M.H., MS. ML-864.

  Schramm, Major Percy E., The West (1 April 1944-16 December 1944), MS. B-034; Notes on the Execution of War Diaries, O.C.M.H., MS. A-860.

  Skalka, SS Major Egon, Divisional Doctor, 9th SS Panzer Hohenstaufen, Official Headquarters Reports; Medical Estimate of the Arnhem Battle; Interrogation Reports. British and Dutch Archives. Diary, notes as given to the author.

  Speidel, Lt. Gen. Dr. Hans, OB West, A Study in Command, Atlantic Wall to Siegfried Line, Vols. I, II, III, O.C.M.H., MS. B-718.

  Student, Col. Gen. Kurt, CO. 1st Para. Army, Battles of the 1st Parachute Army on the Albert Canal; and Allied Airborne Operations on 17 September, 1944, O.C.M.H., MS. B-717. Manuscripts, notes and maps as given to the author. Statement in Nijmegen Archives, File 35.

  -----, “Arnhem—The Last German Victory,” from The Soldier Speaks, No. 5, 1952.

  Tettau, Lt. Gen. Hans von, Combat Reports 17 September-26 September, 1944 of Units Committed in the Netherlands, Document No. 40649H. Dutch Archives.

  Warlimont, General Walter, From the Invasion to the Siegfried Line, 1939-1945. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1962.

  Zangen, General Gustav von, Battles of the Fifteenth Army Between the Meuse-Schelde Canal and the Lower Meuse, 15 September-10 November, 1944, O.C.M.H., MS. B-475.

  Zimmerman, Lt. Gen. Bodo, OB West, A Study in Command, Atlantic Wall to Siegfried Line, Vols. I, II, III, O.C.M.H., MS. B-308.

  Index

  Aa, Rudolph van der, 24

  Aa river, 134, 251

  Aachen, 54, 64, 72

  Aalst, 356, 358, 359

  Adair, Gen. Allan, 167, 413, 471, 478, 479

  Albert Canal, 38, 39, 45, 49-51, 60, 115, 147

  Albrecht Group, 144fn.

  Aldeburgh, England, 190, 195

  Allardyce, Pvt. James, 173, 289

  Allen, Pfc. John, 175

  Allied Intelligence Committee, 68

  Allied First Airborne Army, 68, 82-84, 112, 122, 133, 162

  friction in leadership, 126-27

  Market preparation, 172, 180-181

  Market takeoff and combat, 188, 209, 355, 395, 541 see also Brereton, Lt. Gen. L. H.

  Allsop, Capt. David, 228, 260, 263

  Altomare, Cpl. John, 214

  Ambrose, Stephen E., 89fn.

  Amsterdam, 25, 26

  Antwerp—

  Allied capture of, 20, 33, 37, 40, 44-45, 48, 51, 59-61

  Allied error at, 61, 163

  as Allied supply base, 33, 67, 74, 78, 83, 88

  in German calculations, 37, 44-45, 51, 55-59

  in Montgomery’s plans, 55, 64, 68

  Apeldoorn, 20, 116, 486, 594

  Aremberg, Germany, 51

  Arnhem, 138-42, 154, 181, 182, 195, 218, 323, 342, 386-387, 534, 599

  German occupation, 160-61, 206, 263

  German retreat through, 16-17, 21-26

  Panzer divisions near, 47, 115-116, 132-33, 139, 144-145, 156fn., 157-59, 162, 177, 230-33

  Allied bombing of, 202-9, 222

  Allied landing at, 216fn., 222, 229, 290, 365, 368-76, 419

  fighting in, 329-31, 342-47, 389-390, 402-5; see also Arnhem bridge, battles at

  civilians in, 331-35, 343-44, 348-49, 352-53, 510

  liberation rumors, 26-27, 261, 332

  resistance organization, 27-29, 47, 144-45, 334-35, 395-396, 443-45

  Arnhem bridge, 272-73

  objective of Operation Comet, 82, 84, 88, 89

  objective of Market-Garden, 123, 138-39, 177-78, 229, 231, 233, 254, 255

  in Market-Garden planning, 122, 128-30, 165-66, 169-70, 259, 264, 268

  airborne troops’ race to, 179, 233, 256-58, 262, 265-266, 270-71

  battles for, 148fn., 244, 323-34, 350-54, 376-80, 388-93, 396-403, 414-15, 433-40

  British defeat, surrender at, 442-443, 446-56, 479-85, 500, 515, 536, 558fn.

  Arnhem Town Museum, 402

  Arnold, Gen. Henry H., 83

  Ashworth, S/Sgt. Walton, 530

  Atlantic Wall, 30, 31, 36

  Atwell, Sgt. Douglas, 420

  Axel (village), 28

  Baarskamp farm, 505-6

  Back, L/Cpl. Harold, 276-77, 324

  Bad Saarnow, Germany, 232, 233

  Ballantyne, F/O A. 422fn.

  Baltussen, Cora,
17, 336-37, 422-423, 504-6, 537, 581, 595

  Baltussen, Josephus, 505

  Baltussen family, 639

  Barlow, Col. Hilary, 182, 409-10, 444

  Barnett, Lieut. J. Patrick, 436

  Barry, Lieut. Peter, 269

  Baylis, S/Sgt. George S., 181, 514

  BBC, 25, 27, 341, 392, 401, 438

  Beaudin, Capt. Briand, 236

  Bedell, Major Edwin A., 176

  Bedford, F/Sgt. Ronald, 370

  Beek, Dirk van, 383-84

  Beek, Dr. Marius van der, 204

  Beekbergen, 116, 146, 201

  Belgium, 16, 19, 23, 33, 60, 69, 71, 80, 163, 211

  Bemmel, 489

  Bennett, Pvt. Frederick, 263

  Bennett, Pvt. Henry, 343

  Bentley, Sgt. Thomas, 582

  Berlin, projected drive on, 63, 73-78, 85-89, 113

  Bernhard, Prince of the Netherlands, 20, 27, 61-63, 202, 508-10, 597, 638

  meeting with Montgomery, 63, 79-82

  Best (village), 134, 252, 360-61, 368, 424-26

  Bestebreurtje, Capt. Arie D., 188, 288, 335, 429, 474fn.

  Beveland peninsula, 51, 115; see also South Beveland

  Biddle, Anthony, 63

  Bijltjesdag (“Hatchet Day”), 19

  Bittrich, Dr. Gerhard, 148fn.

  Bittrich, Lt. Gen. Wilhelm, 147-151, 200, 219, 284, 377, 555

  retreat from Belgium, 46-47, 115-16, 156fn.

  reaction to Market landing, 201, 229-30, 232-33, 253-56, 280

  disagreement with Model, 254, 290-91, 379-80, 453

  battle at Arnhem, 256, 271, 280, 282-83, 290-91, 377-81, 389, 411fn., 414, 440, 453, 515-16, 555

  battle at Nijmegen, 283, 291, 378-81, 453-54, 473-74, 516, 519, 544-46

  Blaskowitz, Gen. Johannes, 39, 43

  Blitzkrieg, 32, 33

  Blokland, Major Jonkheer Jan Beelaerts van, 167-68

  Blue, Cpl. James R., 288

  Blumenson, Martin, 50fn.

  Blumentritt, Maj. Gen. Gunther, 32, 45fn., 53-55, 59

  Blunt, Lieut. John, 450

  Blyton, Pvt. Henry, 582

  Bode, Nicholaas Tjalling de, 144fn., 161, 395, 396

  Boeree, Lt. Col. Theodor A., 388fn.

  Bolden, Bombardier E. C, 550, 561

  Boldock, Pvt. Walter, 263-64, 403, 550

  Bommer, Cpl. Jack, 176, 194, 465-466

  Borrelli, 2nd Lieut. Anthony N., 214-15

  Both, Dominee, 206

  Boyce, Pvt. Robert, 215

  Brace, Cpl. Terry “Taffy,” 406-7, 526-27, 592-93

  Bradley, Gen. Omar N., 63-68, 71, 72, 75, 83, 84, 112

  Bradwell Bay, 190, 195

  Brandt, Sgt. John Rudolph, 174

  Breda, 27

  Breebaart, Dr. Leo C., 144

  Breman, Johanna, 207

  Brereton, Lt. Gen. Lewis H., 82, 112, 355, 539, 540, 542

  planning for Market, 121-30, 134, 180

  tiff with Browning, 126-27

  and Polish advance, 417, 502

  Brett, Capt. Peter, 541fn.

  British Army units

  Groups

  21st Army Group, 61, 64, 68, 72, 73, 80, 85, 113, 114, 130, 131, 158, 163; see also Montgomery, Bernard L.

  Armies

  Second Army, 11, 79, 131, 162, 200; in Belgium campaign, 33, 51; in Montgomery planning, 64, 70, 84, 88, 130, 162, 169, 284; communication with Urquhart, 244, 412, 442, 443, 457, 516, 556, 581; relief for 1st Airborne, 540, 547, 566, 594

  Corps

  I Airborne Corps, 125, 389, 391, 539, 540, 566; reports on German buildup, 114, 131, 133, 159; landing of headquarters, 235, 238, 241, 242; communication, 179, 190, 243, 244, 341; Polish air drop, 442, 499

  XXX Corps, 61, 211, 244, 285, 355, 359, 411, 413, 508; in Garden planning, 59, 123, 130, 132, 163, 164, 166, 170; relief of Airborne at Arnhem, 325, 350, 398, 408, 442, 495, 498, 516, 564, 580; casualties, 599

  Royal Army Service, 421

  Royal Engineers, 497

  Royal Signal, 243-44

  Divisions

  1st Airborne, 138, 172, 177, 180, 335, 386, 407, 408, 507, 637, see also Urquhart, Robert E.; in Market-Garden planning, 84, 88, 117, 122: Market assignment, 123, 128, 144, 157, 177, 228; takeoff and landing, 190, 191, 228, 280; command succession, 192, 393-95; communications, 233-34, 335, 341, 408, 416, 506, 538; fighting in Arnhem area, 266-72, 331, 396-398, 402-7, 409, 440-45, 495-501, 507, 510-16, 521-33, 544-45, 546-64 passim; battle for bridge, 272-75, 276-80, 331, 335, 341-54 passim, 393, 398-401, 414, 433-40, 446-50, 480-86, see also Frost, John D.; withdrawal from Oosterbeek, 568-95; casualties, 448-450, 483, 591, 599

  6th Airborne, 158

  11th Armored, 59, 6ofn., 61

  43rd Wessex, 166, 478, 491, 516-19, 521, 539, 543, 546, 564, 566, 593

  50th Northumberland, 166

  52nd Lowland, 128

  Guards Armored, 165, 356, 410, 413, 508, 518; capture of Antwerp, 59; in Market-Garden planning, 166, 167, 169; at Nijmegen bridge, 428, 456, 471; relief of Airborne at Arnhem, 477-79, 488, 496-98

  Brigades

  1st Airlanding, 224, 225, 338, 368, 370, 376, 515, 578; see also Hicks, Philip

  1st Parachute, 257, 260, 325, 344, 440, 485; see also Lathbury, Gerald

  4th Parachute, 338, 368-69, 374-75, 390; see also Hackett, John

  8th Armored, 166

  Regiments

  1st Airlanding Light, 497

  4th Dorset, 564, 566, 570, 571, 577, 581, 591

  5th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 519, 535

  Coldstream Guards, 453

  Dragoon Guards, 520, 535

  Glider Pilot, 138, 181, 191, 222, 242, 497, 513, 514, 528, 577; see also Chatterton, George S.

  Grenadier Guards, 410, 411, 428, 468, 469; see also Goulburn, Edward H.

  Household Cavalry, 356, 357, 411, 517, 519, 520, 535

  Irish Guards, 164-68, 245-251, 355-57, 458, 467, 487-91, 519, 591-92; see also Vandeleur, J.O.E.

  King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB’s), 390, 390, 441, 499, 512, 563, 583

  South Staffordshires, 390, 402, 405, 407, 409, 441, 497, 499

  British Military Cemetery, Arnhem, 422fn.

  British War Office, 84

  Brockley, Pvt. Harold, 198

  Broekkamp, Elias, 48, 207

  Brook, L/Cpl. Henry, 225

  Brooke, Field Marshal Sir Alan, 65

  Browning, Lt. Gen. Frederick, 9, 83, 84, 89

  planning Market-Garden, 112, 121, 125-29, 132, 134, 136-42, 159-60

  dispute with Brereton, 126-27

  Market attack, 190-91, 241-44, 287, 365fn.

  communication problem, 341, 389, 412, 416-17, 442

  battle at Arnhem, 412, 417, 421, 442, 478-79, 495, 500, 507, 516-17, 538-40, 564

  battle at Nijmegen, 412-13, 431-33, 442, 453, 457, 462, 463

  withdrawal at Arnhem, 568, 570, 572-73, 590-91

  Browning, Lady (Daphne du Maurier), 243fn., 640

  Brussels, 16, 20, 59, 63, 83, 155, 508, 509

  Bryant, Pvt. Reginald, 373-74

  Buchanan, Lieut. Bucky, 438, 450

  Buffalo Boy, Herbert, 429

  Burgers Zoological Gardens, 332

  Burriss, Capt. T. Moffatt, 459, 462, 465, 467, 468, 475

  Byam, Guy, 541fn.

  Cain, Major Robert, 529-30, 560-561, 579, 589-90

  Callaghan, Sgt. Major Harry, 262, 528

  Calloway, Sgt. “Cab,” 531

  Canadian Army, 64

  Carmichael, Lieut. Virgil, 199, 460, 461, 467

  Cassidy, Lt. Col. Patrick, 216

  Casualties, Market-Garden, note on, 599

  Cator, Major Harry, 590

  Chandler, Trooper William F., 531

  Channel ports, 55, 67, 71, 74, 369-370

  Chappuis, Lt. Col. Steve, 427

  Charteris, Brig. John, 163fn.

  Chase, Lt. Col. Charles, 215

  Chatterton, Col. George S., 140fn., 191, 242-43, 432-33

  Chennell, Cpl. William, 411, 413, 592

 
Cherbourg, 70

  Chill, Lt. Gen. Kurt, 50

  Christiansen, Gen. Friedrich, 152, 153, 291

  Christie, Gunner Robert, 503, 579, 590

  Churchill, Winston S., 65fn., 509

  Cipolla, Pfc. John, 211-13

  Clarke, Pvt. Nobby, 528-29

  Clegg, Capt. Benjamin, 512

  Cleminson, Capt. James, 347, 377

  Clous, Ida, 261

  Clous, Dr. Phillip, 525

  Coad, Lt. Col. Aubrey, 569

  Cockrill, Signalman James, 578, 580-81, 587

  Cole, Lt. Col. Robert G., 173, 361

  Combined Allied Intelligence Committee, 68

  Combined Chiefs of Staff, 76, 77

  Congressional Medal of Honor, 361

  Connelly, Capt. John, 242

  Cook, Major Julian A., 456-61, 462fn., 463, 465, 466, 468, 476, 477

  Copas, T/Sgt. Marshall, 174

  Copley, Signalman Stanley G., 181, 440

  Coppens, Wilhelmina, 18

  Corrie, Capt. Michael, 528

  Cottesmore, England, 181

  Cowan, Sgt. Bertie, 250

  Coyle, Lieut. James J., 190, 236, 430-31

  Crawley, Major Douglas, 273, 274, 450, 484

  Crete, 38

  Cronkite, Walter, 216fn.

  Crook, L/Bombardier J. W., 225

  Daalen, Toon van, 29, 161, 334

  Dauncey, Lieut. Michael, 224

  Davis, S/Sgt. George, 224

  Deane-Drummond, Major Anthony, 179, 180, 233-34, 258, 404-5

  Deelen airfield, 139, 152, 539

  Demetras, Lieut. A. D., 477

  Dempsey, Lt. Gen. Miles C., 59, 61, 83-84, 114, 131, 133, 162, 412, 478, 540, 566, 568

  Derksen, Antoon, 348-49, 407

  Dessloch, Col. Gen. Otto, 152

  Deuss, Albert, 161

  Diest, 80

  Dijk, Sister Christine van, 25

  Dijker, Rev. Reinhold, 23

  Dobie, Lt. Col. D., 257, 263-65, 344, 389, 398, 402-4, 441

  Doetinchem, 116, 201, 219, 232, 253, 256, 282, 283, 544

  Doggart, L/Cpl. James, 247, 248-249

  Dohun, S/Sgt. Charles, 174, 426-427

  Dolle Dinsdag (“Mad Tuesday”), 18, 336

  Dommel river, 251, 357, 358

  Doorman, Maj. Gen. “Pete,” 508

  Doornenburg, 455, 464

  Dordrecht, 38

  Dover, Major Victor, 269, 273

  Down Ampney, 417

  Downing, Pvt. Robert, 579