Fantastic book to read. It was very different. Great to read from a different perspective than I’d heard before. It really opened my eyes and gave me something to think about. Fascinating read and very well written

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. From the German perspective, this gives the story of the attack on the bridge at Arnhem in World War Two. The adage that the victors write the histories is sometimes very true. To truly understand what really happened you need to see both sides of history. This book gives that to you.

Every battle has at least two sides and Operation Market Garden is now exception. You are not familiar with this battle dreamed up by Marshall Montgomery? Ah, you are in for a treat. Sit down and read A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan, then watch the movie by the same name. Now you are ready for The Devil's Bridge.

Tucker-Jones mined and scoured the German archives and military records to put together the German side of Operation Market Garden. He opens with the situation in early September when the German Army was in retreat all along the front lines. Antwerp has fallen to the Brits, but they had not gained the river ways leading into Antwerp. Scratch forces were in place at the Albert Canal under General Student. Model had recently moved his headquarters to Arnhem when the Brits and Americans dropped out of the skies and almost nabbed him. All the local forces were turned out, no matter their ability, bodies were needed to stem the Allied tide. And they managed, barely, time and time again. They could not prevail and turn back the British and American forces, but they slowed their advance enough that the Allied armies never got over the Arnhem bridge until 1945. It was a heroic action on both sides, but gained the Allied armies little useful ground and continued the whittling of German forces in the West.

If you are looking for the flip-side of A Bridge Too Far, you have the right book in hand!

An interesting read on the battle of Operation Market Garden from the German point of view. The author did an outstanding job of providing the German perspective, thoughts and response while adding in commentary from participants in the battle. In addition, the book discusses the overall action throughout the entire front rather than just concentrating on Arnheim. The careful weaving of what both sides did right and wrong during this campaign helps to understand the war effort and the impact of these decisions. An enjoyable read and a very enlightening insight to this battle.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Free ARC from Net Galley

Another fantastic WW2 book, real people, real stories, real facts; being written from the German side or viewpoint only made it better for me. Great take on the failure of Montgomery's "Market Garden"