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Images of War
The Battle for Arnhem 1944–1945
Operation Market Garden, September 1944, the Netherlands. Three parachute drops and one armored charge. The prize was the last bridge at Arnhem over the Neder Rijn. Taken intact it would provide the Allies with a backdoor into Germany – the famous ‘Bridge Too Far.’ This was one of the most audacious and imaginative operations of the war, and it failed, and Anthony Tucker-Jones’s photographic history is a vivid introduction to it.
In a sequence of almost 200 archive photographs accompanied by a detailed narrative he describes the landing of British and American parachutists and glider troops. At the same time British tanks spearheaded a sixty-mile dash along ‘Hell’s Highway’ to link up with the lightly armed and heavily outnumbered airborne forces.
Most books about the resulting battle concentrate on the struggle at Arnhem and the heroism of the British 1st Airborne Division. This book puts that episode in its wider context. In particular it focuses on the efforts of the US 101st and 82nd airborne divisions to hold off counterattacks by German battlegroups during the tanks’ advance.
The photographs give a dramatic insight into all sides of a remarkable but ill-fated operation which has fascinated historians and been the subject of controversy ever since. They also portray, as only photographs can, the men who were involved and the places and conditions in which the fighting took place.
In a sequence of almost 200 archive photographs accompanied by a detailed narrative he describes the landing of British and American parachutists and glider troops. At the same time British tanks spearheaded a sixty-mile dash along ‘Hell’s Highway’ to link up with the lightly armed and heavily outnumbered airborne forces.
Most books about the resulting battle concentrate on the struggle at Arnhem and the heroism of the British 1st Airborne Division. This book puts that episode in its wider context. In particular it focuses on the efforts of the US 101st and 82nd airborne divisions to hold off counterattacks by German battlegroups during the tanks’ advance.
The photographs give a dramatic insight into all sides of a remarkable but ill-fated operation which has fascinated historians and been the subject of controversy ever since. They also portray, as only photographs can, the men who were involved and the places and conditions in which the fighting took place.
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
136 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2019
8 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Tucker-Jones
76 books29 followersDefence analyst Anthony Tucker-Jones spent nearly 20 years in the British Intelligence Community before establishing himself as a defence writer and historian: commenting on regional conflicts, counter-terrorism, intelligence and military affairs.
He is a highly experienced expert with particular strengths in editing, feature writing, report writing, communicating to specialists and non-specialists alike.
Anthony Tucker-Jones has been extensively published in numerous titles and on various news websites. He has also written a number of books.
He is widely travelled with assignments in Africa, Europe, the Far East, Latin America and the Middle East. He lived for a time in Bahrain.
Anthony holds an MA in International Relations & Strategic Studies from Lancaster University.
(Taken from official website.)
He is a highly experienced expert with particular strengths in editing, feature writing, report writing, communicating to specialists and non-specialists alike.
Anthony Tucker-Jones has been extensively published in numerous titles and on various news websites. He has also written a number of books.
He is widely travelled with assignments in Africa, Europe, the Far East, Latin America and the Middle East. He lived for a time in Bahrain.
Anthony holds an MA in International Relations & Strategic Studies from Lancaster University.
(Taken from official website.)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 12, 2019
The Battle for Arnhem 1944 – 1945 – A Bridge to Far
Anthony Tucker-Jones has written an interesting account of the Battle for Arnhem using original archive pictures, most taken by the British 1st Airborne Division. These images have proven over the years to be iconic and helped to explain and define the battle. This year will be the 75th anniversary and commemoration of the Battle.
The only complaint I do have is that the Polish Independent Parachute Regiment do not get a real mention. Especially as Monty would blame them for the failure of this mission, and the Poles never forgave him for it. History has shown, as does this book, Monty ignored intelligence of the Panzer Division that was at Arnhem. The Americans also opposed the operation even though they did take part. Reason I point this out, is that all the British Paratroopers were trained at Ringway Airport, Manchester, trained by the Polish Paratroopers, my Grandfather was one of those instructors who took part in Operation Market Garden.
What I do like about this book, along side many of the photographs is the excellent commentary from Tucker-Jones is that he has placed this book in the wider context of the war and the push for Berlin. He also concentrates on the counter attacks the Germans undertook in defending Arnhem. While at the same time there are some interesting pictures of the POWs taken.
What he does show that the intelligence failures had not made it clear that the Waffen-SS Panzer divisions involved, the 9th and 10th Divisions, whether they were at full strength. While at the same time the Panzer divisions also had their own grenadiers that were battle hardened and very experienced soldiers. Many of the Waffen-SS would fight to the death, rather than surrender, therefore making it hard for many of the Allied forces, some of whom were not as experienced on the battlefield.
This is an excellent book and well worth reading.
Anthony Tucker-Jones has written an interesting account of the Battle for Arnhem using original archive pictures, most taken by the British 1st Airborne Division. These images have proven over the years to be iconic and helped to explain and define the battle. This year will be the 75th anniversary and commemoration of the Battle.
The only complaint I do have is that the Polish Independent Parachute Regiment do not get a real mention. Especially as Monty would blame them for the failure of this mission, and the Poles never forgave him for it. History has shown, as does this book, Monty ignored intelligence of the Panzer Division that was at Arnhem. The Americans also opposed the operation even though they did take part. Reason I point this out, is that all the British Paratroopers were trained at Ringway Airport, Manchester, trained by the Polish Paratroopers, my Grandfather was one of those instructors who took part in Operation Market Garden.
What I do like about this book, along side many of the photographs is the excellent commentary from Tucker-Jones is that he has placed this book in the wider context of the war and the push for Berlin. He also concentrates on the counter attacks the Germans undertook in defending Arnhem. While at the same time there are some interesting pictures of the POWs taken.
What he does show that the intelligence failures had not made it clear that the Waffen-SS Panzer divisions involved, the 9th and 10th Divisions, whether they were at full strength. While at the same time the Panzer divisions also had their own grenadiers that were battle hardened and very experienced soldiers. Many of the Waffen-SS would fight to the death, rather than surrender, therefore making it hard for many of the Allied forces, some of whom were not as experienced on the battlefield.
This is an excellent book and well worth reading.
April 15, 2019
An interesting little overview of Operation Market Garden with some new new and rare photos, to me at least.
Some errors though that I spotted, for example Lt Col Frost famously commanded the 2nd Battalion at Arnhem when this book states at least twice that he commanded the 1st battalion. A small thing but errors like this shake your confidence somewhat
Some errors though that I spotted, for example Lt Col Frost famously commanded the 2nd Battalion at Arnhem when this book states at least twice that he commanded the 1st battalion. A small thing but errors like this shake your confidence somewhat
September 10, 2019
Once again, Pen & Sword Books has delivered another incredible photograph book. Telling the story of the pivotal Battle of Arnhem, Anthony Tucker-Jones has given me an understanding of the happenings of a battle I otherwise was not familiar with. The pictures give an understanding and a clarity you wouldn't have otherwise, unless you had experienced it yourself. I really enjoy these books, and recommend them to anyone.
March 2, 2024
I was disappointed in the fact that most of the photographs I have seen before. Anthony Tucker-Jones does a nice high level review of the operation. I especially liked the last chapter with the behind the scenes commentary on the making of the movie, "A Bridge Too Far."
A side note: This eBook edition was poorly edited. Practically, every page has numerous words not properly capitalized. Very irritating. This eBook was library loan through Hoopla.
A side note: This eBook edition was poorly edited. Practically, every page has numerous words not properly capitalized. Very irritating. This eBook was library loan through Hoopla.
March 2, 2020
Not bad. A quick read with most of his facts correct. I dispute his evaluation of the American Sherman M4 tank but it's a minor point.
March 14, 2021
Good photographic overview of the Arnhem battles.
March 31, 2020
Another battle that the grunts paid the price for the assumptions and other mistakes made by their leaders.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews