Crossing the Rhine: Breaking into Nazi Germany 1944 and 1945--The Greatest Airborne Battles in History

by Lloyd Clark

In September 1944, with the Allies eager to break into Nazi Germany after Normandy, thirty-five thousand U.S. and British troops parachuted into Nazi held territory in the Netherlands. The controversial offensive, code named Operation Market Garden, was conceived by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery to secure the lower Rhine—Germany’s last great natural barrier in the west—and passage to Berlin. Allied soldiers outnumbered Germans by two to one, but they were poorly armed against the German Panzer tanks and suffered devastating casualties. After nine days of intense fighting, they were forced to retreat. Several months later, in March 1945, Montgomery orchestrated another airborne attack of the Rhine. This time the Allies prevailed and began their march into the heart of the Third Reich. At once a gripping narrative and a moving testament to the courage and tenacity of ordinary soldiers who are thrust into desperate circumstances, Crossing the Rhine moves at a fast pace, delivers a fresh interpretation of the past, and forces us to ask ourselves just what it takes—in blood spilled, in lives lost—to win in war.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, War, Germany

448 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Lloyd Clark is a senior lecturer in war studies at Great Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and he has lectured on military history around the world. His special interests are the Western Front of the First World War, the Mediterranean Front of the Second World War, and airborne warfare.

-Librarything.com

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid if unremarkable account of the allied effort to get across the Rhine River during World War II through the use of airborne forces. The first is an account of Operation Market-Garden (September 1944) and the second is Operation Varsity (March 1945). As most know Market-Garden was basically a defeat for the allies while Varsity was an unqualified success.

I picked up this book because I was interested in reading about Varsity. Varsity has not received as much attention as the other airborne operations in Europe and I was happy to find this book in a bargain bin. Unfortunately Mr. Clark devotes more space to Market-Garden (I estimate two-thirds) and the section on Varsity feels almost cursory. Though it's more than I've found before so even this is better than nothing.

As I stated at the beginning "Crossing the Rhine" isn't a bad book. It just places too much emphasis on the wrong operation. I'm keeping it nonetheless.It's a brisk read. I would have finished it much sooner, but I had other things to do so it became a read before lights out project. A fair read all in all. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking if you elect to pick it up.

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Aunque no hay plan que sobreviva ni un minuto al contacto con el enemigo, cuanto más simple sea dicho plan y menos deje a Tyche, más capacidad de improvisación potencialmente certera se tendrá-.

Género. Historia.

Lo que nos cuenta. Relato de los eventos del frente occidental europeo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial entre finales de agosto de 1944 hasta finales de marzo de 1945 relacionados con el cruce del Rin, centrándose principalmente en la Operación Market Garden y en la Operación Plunder Varsity.

¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books I've read on combat in Europe during World War II, it seems as if the ones on airborne operations are the most exciting. This book provides lots of excellent firsthand accounts of the Market Garden and Plunder Varsity operations, most of it from the British point of view, but with American and German recollections as well. The maps are few and not very helpful, which makes it hard to understand the overall picture of the operations. There is lots of narrative dealing with the occasionally adversarial relationship between Field Marshal Montgomery and Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower as well. One of my favorite elements of this book was the fair amount of attention given to the glider troops--nice to see them getting a bit of love.

Overall, a very good read about two vastly different Allied airborne operations. This isn't the best book for a "big picture" view, but if you like personal accounts (or "little pictures"), you'll enjoy this one.

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Aunque no hay plan que sobreviva ni un minuto al contacto con el enemigo, cuanto más simple sea dicho plan y menos deje a Tyche, más capacidad de improvisación potencialmente certera se tendrá-.

Género. Historia.

Lo que nos cuenta. Relato de los eventos del frente occidental europeo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial entre finales de agosto de 1944 hasta finales de marzo de 1945 relacionados con el cruce del Rin, centrándose principalmente en la Operación Market Garden y en la Operación Plunder Varsity.

¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, I'm a World War II buff when it come to books and as a former paratrooper drawn to stories of my fellow airborne brethren. Admittedly any book that covers Operation Market Garden is going to be compared to A Bridge Too Far which I read so many years ago.

With that being said I have to say this was a very good book. It did not examine Market Garden in isolation in the totality of the war at the time. Clark includes the ongoing self-promotion of Montgomery who was trying to trying to win the war all by himself by using American troops and supplies. Clark knows that the definitive history of the operation is the fore mention book so he does not try to reinvent the wheel. He examines the battle not only in the historical sense but the personal sense. There is a very liberal sprinkling of first hand narratives throughout the book. This draws in the reader in driving how just how much this battle, just as all others, is not emotionless point in history worth study or entertainment.

Well Clark excels beyond A Bridge Too Far is how he ties it into the conduct of the rest of the war and specifically Operation Plunder Varsity. Clark details how the Allies were smart in quickly examining what went right and what went wrong in Market Garden. Those costly lessons were applied to the next great airborne drop to seize and secure the east bank of the Rhine.

This is a great book for any avid World War II reader or military history in general. This is also a book that should be read by today's military leaders from squad to combatant command. Its lessons of not taking into account what can go wrong are just as critical today as they were when overlooked then. Its also a great example of highly motivated small groups of troops can do.

[Dj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but in general nothing, you won't find in other books. It does have the advantage of being easy to read and interspaces actual quotes from individuals who were part of the actual events without disrupting the flow of the narrative. It does suffer from not enough maps and in the end, the conclusion is enough to make me want to kick something.


To go all the way through a book on Market/Garden Plunder/Varsity and then get a helping on how both operations were showing how good a General Montgomery was is not what I was expecting. He concludes that the failure of Market/Garden was due in large measure to the airborne plan with the single road for the advance of XXX Corps thrown in as almost an afterthought. Of course, Monty wasn't to blame for not having a firm handle on the planning. The Americans crossing the Rhine twice before Monty did is tossed aside as sideshow efforts that didn't amount to much. All in all, while the book was enjoyable enough it will be traded in at the first opportunity in the hopes of getting something more substantial.

[Clayton Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read on two of the greatest airborne operations in history. Market Garden and Operation Plunder Varsity. Lots of details and first person accounts of the men who fought these two battles from both sides Allied and German.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lloyd Clark takes us behind the scenes of the Allies in Europe during the last year of World War II. During that time, the two largest airborne operations in history - Operation Market Garden and Operation Plunder Varsity took place in an effort to break through German lines and bring the war to its close. Market Garden, immortalized in the book and film A Bridge Too Far, was a disaster and Plunder Varsity a great success, although with limited objectives. Clark takes the reader into the planning, execution, and results of these two operations and comes away with interpretations that go against what general scholarship has said about them. In presenting his views, Clark takes a decidedly pro-British tone in what was a rather prickly rivalry between American and British leadership. In Clark's view, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower's leadership and strategic vision was rather limited and his lack of vision and initiative prolonged the war by several months. In Clark's view, British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, although a preening, arrogant prima donna, was truly the visionary. His plan for Market Garden, according to Clark, was a good plan with flaws but poorly executed. Much of the blame for the plan's lack of success is pinned on the lack of support from Supreme Headquarters. Omar Bradley also comes under fire for his lack of support, although even by Clark's description, Montgomery was someone who would have been nearly impossible to like and/or respect. Clark goes into great detail during the battles and the book is chock full of first person accounts which add to the verisimilitude of the book. The book does have its flaws. Clark is loose with his facts, at one point referring to American President Theodore Roosevelt conferring with Winston Churchill. The reader has to wonder what the editor was doing because there are numerous typos, and passages that were obviously sloppily edited with stray words hanging in the air. Clark's final interpretation of the airborne assaults leaves the reader raising his eyebrows. He calls Market Garden "the right plan for that point in time" while all the time pointing out the flaws - drop zones miles away from objectives; armor support that had to fight its way up one narrow road - that made the plan almost impossibly executable even if everything had gone right, which it did not. He does not spend as much time on Plunder Varsity, probably because it was much more limited in its goals and accomplishments but much more successful. Clark is obviously a supporter of airborne and his book was well-researched, but his conclusions are questionable.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointing book for me because the subject matter is one that I'm interested in. The author used the non-fiction writing style of relying on stringing quotes together rather than writing a clear narrative supported by pertinent quotes. Just using quotes strung together is lazy and makes for choppy reading.

[Len Boselovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely from a British apologist point of view, so if you're not a big fan of the haughty Montgomery, prepare to get your dander up. The author's editors could have done a better job with the maps, which like the ones in Clark's Anzio leave a lot to be desired.

[Leanna M Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another version of an old story

(Review by Steve Cole, Leanna's husband. Found the book on her Kindle, she seems to have gotten a shared copy from our friend.)

One of many books on the subject, good read but no new information. British writing (e.g., whilst) but fairly portrayed Monty as a self-promoting glory hound. (World War II starring Bernard Montgomery, with minor appearances by D. Eisenhower and some minor American extras!) The book didn't quite reach the point of saying Market Garden was stupid and Varsity a waste of aviation fuel, but should have. As someone who has read a few hundred WWII books I found it pleasantly readable, like a rerun of a good movie. Don't expect more and you will enjoy it.

[Bill Gottshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finely crafted narrative, detailed, but reads like a novel

This is one of the rare military history books which will please both the diehard World War II expert and the casual war history reader. The author creates a nice balance with personal recollections of the soldiers involved (both the Allied airborne troops and the German defenders) and an overview of the battle action, as seen from the perspective of the generals.

[Eric J. Hartsfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far account of Market Garden and Operation Varsity

While I really enjoyed other works by Clark I felt too much of the material concerned Market Garden and Varsity operation was an after thought. I bought this primarily to learn about the crossing of the Rhine. Perhaps it was a.misunderstanding on my part.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately had already read this book under its “Arnhem “ title, shame because it’s a great story and it’s well told by Lloyd but couldn’t read again.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read better books on the topic.

[John Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

13/20.

[Steve Smits · Rating 3 out of 5]

My interest in this book stems from my father's participation in Operation Market Garden as a soldier in the 504th Parachute Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. Dad spoke about the famous crossing of the Waal River in small boats to secure the bridge at Nijmegen; a very harrowing tale. This book tells the story of Market Garden in great detail and also of Operation Varsity and Plunder -- the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945, which featured another airborne assault.

Market Garden was the brainchild of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery who believed that a dagger-like move through eastern Holland could achieve a breakout into the Ruhr region and, ultimately, a move on Berlin. Montgomery persuaded a reluctant Eisenhower who needed to placate the vainglorious Brit who had been creating difficult political tensions among the allies. A secondary factor behind the decision was to attempt a large-scale airborne action, something that the military leadership had been hoping to try. Montgomery is portrayed here, as in other histories, as an abrasive demanding egotist who was aggressively seeking to keep himself in the limelight over the American generals in the European theater.

The plan had serious flaws which doomed it to failure. It called for dropping parachutists and glider-borne infantry at three bridgeheads: at Eindhoven (the 101st division), at Nijmegen (the 82nd) and Arnhem (the 1st British) to secure the bridges while an armored column raced up a narrow causeway to pass over the bridges and finally across the Rhine into Germany. The flaws were principally two: a failure to recognize the intelligence reports that two Panzer division were in the region, and the difficulty in the face of opposition of the armored corps to proceed up the causeway. The road was bounded by marshy terrain that required the vehicles to stick to the road; any blocking action by opposing forces would stall the column (and did).

The two American divisions succeeded in achieving their objectives, although with significant casualties. The Brits landed too far from their planned drop zone and quickly encountered fierce opposition from German forces in the region. There was a belief among the allies that the Germans were fairly weak and dispirited and would quickly fold under allied pressure. This turned out not to be the case.

After more than a week of trying to break through to relieve the besieged paratroopers at Arnhem the allies had to withdraw. Some of the Brits at Arnhem managed to escape, but many were captured.

The result of Market Garden was to extend a stalemate in the northern sector of the front, not broken until 1945. The author notes that the decision to proceed with an operation before the Port at Antwerp was secured was another deficit as supplies could only reach the armies with difficulty.

Another use of airborne forces, one that is less well-known, occurred in March 1945. Again planned by Montgomery, this effort featured crossing the Rhine at Wesel with a large force, supported by a major airborne drop to secure the flanks of the infantry. In this instance, the utilization of the 17th airborne division, augmented by a regiment from the 101st, was much more modest in intent. Unlike Market Garden it did succeed, although by this point the German opposition was extremely weak.

This book tells of both campaigns in great depth. Like many close recountings of military actions, it is hard to follow the details as the reader is unfamiliar with the terrain and the chronology cannot be told in a linear fashion. Notwithstanding, the book excels in laying out the strategy and the personal/political dynamics of the leading generals. It also features many anecdotes from soldiers who experienced the action on the ground. These give the history a vividness of human perspective that makes it fascinating.

[David Hendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book a couple of years ago, and am now re-reading it, as I didn't absorb much of the detail on first reading, perhaps because I was less accustomed to military history, in its layout, terminology and forms of narrative and analysis.

I first learned about Operation Market Garden from the 1970s film, which I've since re watched on DVD. What is so unbelievable is seeing tanks, soldiers and pitched battles in what looks like a typical European suburban town setting. The conjunction between Dutch urban life with the growing battle is striking - as the battle of Arnhem, as it came to be called, progressed, whole areas of the town were devastated, and hundreds of civilians were killed. The fighting proceeded with incredible bravery and slaughter, as the British troops in Arnhem ran low on supplies including ammunition. The supply drop zones were in German hands and the radio communication problems meant this fact could not be passed on to those running the supply drops, which continued regardless.

What is perhaps even more striking is that the events are now commemorated each year in Arnhem with a fly past and parachutist descent. The north side of the Arnhem road bridge is now called 'John Frost' bridge, in memory of Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, who commanded the forces which held the bridgehead for four days in the face of overwhelming opposition, only surrendering when out of ammunition and in a state of complete exhaustion.

The book gives a thorough account of the battle, with details of paratrooper training, and the lead up to Market Garden and the 1945 paratrooper Rhine crossing. The account is comprehensive, giving information on the Battle of the Bulge, as well as the main military events of the time. It also covers the relations between the various commanders, as well as the experience of front line troops. American paratroopers initially trained using baseball outfits, until uniforms could be designed and provided. American paratroopers were supplied with a reserve parachute unlike the British, who only had one parachute - a nervous question about what should they do if it didn't open was apparently answered with a reply that they should go to the Quartermaster and get a replacement. One paratrooper about to make a descent found himself thinking very carefully about the person who packed his parachute.

The book is thoroughly recommended. This was the first military history book I'd read on Market Garden and Plunder Varsity, and I found it a very comprehensive introduction.

[Jim Pfluecke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good look at the Market Garden campaign and the subsequent Plunder-Varsity jump that got Monty over the Rhine for good.

The book starts with an overview of the strategic situation from both sides, describes the formation and training of the airborne units, then describes the battles.

Clark uses a lot of quotations from participants and that is nice. The book has a good mix of battle narrative and background/big picture discussion.

Finally, it is interesting to get a point of view that is decidedly British, after having read Ambros's American interpretation of these events.

However, I give it 4 stars because to me a little something was missing Maybe because I already have read a lot about Market Garden and the creation of the Airborne arm. To those who do not know much of that history may well give this 5 stars, as it is very well written and well balanced. This was a great read on a cross country plane ride and back.

[Bruinrefugee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is everything about Monty? Sometimes it seems that way, incl. after reading this. This is really two stories in one: 90% of the book is about Operation Market Garden and it's a pretty good telling of the story. The last 10% (maybe) is really about Operation Varsity -- the 2 division airborne assault around the Issel bridges in support of the British-led portion of the Rhine crossings in WWII.

Overall, it's a decent read and a good expansion on the standard accounts of NW Europe in 1944/45. But parts of it sound like an apologetic for Montgomery, who the book makes it sound like he could do no wrong other than his penchant for upsetting those around him. That seems a bit much even on the book's own terms. But I enjoyed it.

[Read Ng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good telling of life as a Paratrooper during WWII. If you are familiar with the movie A Bridge Too Far, then you know the middle third of this story. The opening third provides insight as to just what was involved to become a paratrooper (included in this group are the glider soldiers).

I was not aware of just how untested the paratrooper forces were at the outbreak of war in this era. And the dangers to just jumping are then compounded by someone shooting at you with flak and small arms. It did take a very brave person to commit to dropping down behind enemy lines. I loved the insights to everyday life. I will look differently at this hollywood barroom brawls I normally see.

Have yourself a GoodReads.

[Vince · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has two disjointed parts. The first is Operation MarketGarden immortalized in A Bridge To Far. The second part is the late March 1945 crossing of the Rhine and the use of airborne forces in that battle. The author never seems to be able to decide on what his goal is. To tell the story of the men on the ground. He does a little of that but since no participant in the drama gets more than a few lines you never feel the action. The grand strategic overview is touched upon but again major differences of opinion are never really laid out in detail. I wish the author had skipped Market Garden altogether and focussed on the more underreported actual Rhine crossings of 1945.

[Diane Depew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a British Historian, the perspective of Operations Market Garden and Plunder Varsity is primarily focused on the British role and troops involved, though there are some American and German quotes of interest. Given the meticulous detail of some of the narrative, the book needs many, many more maps. As well, the book is subtitled "greatest airborne battles in history," yet the treatment of Plunder Varsity almost us presented as an after thought by the author and not nearly covered with the same depth as Market Garden. And finally - the publisher needs a better proof reader - there are many typos, plus at one point "Theodore Roosevelt," is mentioned in confusion with FDR!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agood overview of 2 Airborne battles in World War 2. 1 was the well known Operation Market Garden ("Bridge too Far:" great book & movie) and Operation Varisity a lesser known battle. Well worth the effort.