A look at the battle or operation called Market Garden. One of just many that gets looked at over and over. Here you have a more detailed look into the men planning it which after reading they should not have been the ones. Who comes up with dropping just part of your men on the first day expecting them to accomplish everything and hold for what turns out to be the rest of their troopers being dropped the next day? The top brass did not even listen to what the German troop movements were so when the drops did begin to happen the Germans were able to respond quickly. I know in reading other books people want to blame this person or that but what I do know is that my father who fought with the 82nd in WWII told me that they were under constant fire from the time they jumped from the planes and that they were fighting continuously when they touched the ground even spending the night in the river, including all of the officers Gavin as well, so the next few days they continued to fight off the Germans. British by not getting reinforcements which would have just brought them to their troop size were at a deficit as were the Poles from the time they touched the ground. I do agree with the author that Eisenhower should still take responsibility since he allowed this operation to be thrown together. Overall a good book.

A well-written book about Operation Market Garden, the tragic airborne assault on Arnhem.
The author has clearly undertaken a massive amount of research, and for me, has filled in some historical gaps about the build-up to the battle.
Before the operation even commenced, it was a catalogue of disasters waiting to happen. Poorly planned and executed by incompetent senior officers. The paratroops were outstandingly courageous but were unexpectedly up against battle-hardened and armour-equipped Panzer troops. By nature, paratroops can only carry a minimum of equipment and ammunition, just enough to hold until the anticipated reinforcements arrive. The description of the novel use of flak guns against Allied troops was quite shocking.
Sadly, Allied reinforcements arrived far too late, due to a number of reasons that were well explained in the book. Attempted supply drops were disastrous, with many cargo aircraft being shot down and supplies falling into the hands of the Germans.
From a personal perspective, I would have enjoyed the book even more if there were additional eyewitness accounts from the soldiers involved, on all sides.
Only the British can turn a defeat into a victory!

I have read many books about Arnhem and Operation Market Garden and wondered what this book could tell me that is new, I was pleasantly surprised.
The authors briefly examine the American use of airborne divisions prior to Arnhem, and why Brereton was made commander of the Allied Airborne Army and Brereton's faults as a commander, positing that the reason the whole plan failed was due to Brereton and his lack of suitability for command. The authors also touch upon other commanders and their failures, Browning with his HQ, Urquhart dropping so far from the bridge and using the reconnaissance squadron in a role it was not designed for. What could have happened if it was used in its proper role scouting along the three routes into Arnhem?
Gavin's failure to make Nijmegen bridge a priority on the first day etc, even Montgomery comes in for criticism.
An excellent read, filled in a few gaps in my knowledge as the book is mainly looking at the operation from a operational level.
Well worth reading as it is not a regurgitation of books already on Market Garden, it makes you think and lays the responsibility of failure on the correct shoulders.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

An intriguing look at the WW2 operation known as "Market Garden." The book looks at the errors and political in-fighting that took place and ultimately doomed this operation. An extremely informative review. My only criticism of the book was the author tended to repeat his points several times, leading the reader to think "stop beating as dead horse" and get on with a new thought. Other than this, I did enjoy the book and did learn new facts that I was unaware of.

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

The Battle of Arnhem is often written about, but it seems that there is always something new to uncover, or a new perspective from which to look at the events. Well written with concise arguments.