It Never Snows in September : The German View of Market-Garden and the Battle of Arnhem, September 1944

by Kershaw, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780711030626
• ISBN10: 0711030626
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-02
• Publisher: Ian Allan Pub

Summary

Once more reprinted, this excellent work records the German view of Operation 'Market Garden' and the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Based on extensive research and containing new material it uniquely chronicles that struggle through the eyes of the German soldier and analyses the reasons for the eventual outcome.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	8	(3)
CHAPTER I: THE FRENCH ODYSSEY	11	(10)
Cambrai, 2 September 1944...
The Odyssey begins...
CHAPTER II: STAND AND FIGHT	21	(12)
A crust begins to form...
Improvisation of resources - the formation of the Kampfgruppe Walther...
Where will the impending blow fall...?
CHAPTER III: 'ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT'	33	(14)
The situation in the rear areas...
A mobile reaction force. The arrival of IISS Panzer Corps...
The 'dress rehearsal' for Arnhem. Dispositions of the Kampfgruppe 'Hohenstaufen'...
The Front. Hechtel-Valkenswaard road, 15-16 September...
CHAPTER IV: PORTRAIT OF THE GERMAN SOLDIER IN HOLLAND, SEPTEMBER 1944	47	(11)
Pause to take stock...
First Fallschirmjaeger Army...
The Wehrmacht...
Beliefs and concerns...
CHAPTER V: THE LANDINGS	58	(12)
CHAPTER VI: DRIVE INTO THE TEETH	70	(9)
First reactions...
Counter-measures...
CHAPTER VII: SMASHING THROUGH THE CRUST	79	(11)
The Kampfgruppe Walther is split in two...
Losing control...
CHAPTER VIII: MARCH! FOLLOW THE SOUNDS OF SHOOTING	90	(12)
Piercing the left flank...
'The youngsters had not paid sufficient attention'...
The capture of the Arnhem road bridge.
The race for the Waal bridges, Nijmegen the night of 17-18 September...
CHAPTER IX: ARNHEM. THE PENDULUM SWINGS	102	(13)
The formation of the Eastern block: the Kampfgruppe Spindler...
Western forces. The formation of the Kampfgruppe von Tettau...
CHAPTER X: SCRAPING THE BARREL	115	(10)
Fifteen miles through 'Indian Territory'...101 Airborne Division
Securing the heights above Nijmegen...82 Airborne Division
CHAPTER XI: TAKE THE ARNHEM BRIDGE	125	(12)
From the east...
From the south...
From the north...
CHAPTER XII: 'SCHWERPUNKT' IS SOUTH!	137	(11)
Defending Nijmegen, 18-19 September...
Slowing the advance. Jabs against the corridor, 19-20 September...
The raids by Panzer Brigade 107, 19-20 September 1944...
CHAPTER XIII: THE IMPACT ON GERMAN SOIL	148	(6)
Volunteers to defend the Reich...
Scratch reinforcements...
CHAPTER XIV: ARNHEM. THE PENDULUM SWINGS BACK	154	(22)
The odds inverted. Second lift on Ginkel Heath...
'Achtung Fallschirmjaeger!...'
The Sperrlinie blocking force Spindler...
The charge of the Parachute Brigades...
The Sperrlinie is forced in the north...
CHAPTER XV: BLASTING THE BRITISH OUT - THE ARNHEM BRIDGE	176	(10)
With artillery...
With tanks...
Do the 'Tommies' in!...
CHAPTER XVI: HOLD ON THE WAAL	186	(16)
The spectre from the Reichswald. II Fallschirmjaeger Corps attacks...
I laid on the Waal! The defence of Nijmegen by the Frundsberg...
'There was nothing left available to form a defence line...'
'I now gave the order on my own responsibility to blow...'
CHAPTER XVII: PUTTING THE LID ON THE BOX	202	(9)
The pocket forms. Division von Tettau...
Improvisation...
CHAPTER XVIII: HOLLOW VICTORIES	211	(10)
Mopping up and breaking out. Nijmegen, night 20-21 September...
'Just about over the Arnhem Bridge.' Night 20-21 September...
CHAPTER XIX . THE. MISSED OPPORTUNITY	221	(7)
Plugging the gap. Betuwe, 'The Island'...
Improvisation...
CHAPTER XX: THE WITCHES' CAULDRON	228	(14)
The German build-up around Arnhem...
From the west: von Tettau...
From north-east and east: the 9SS
CHAPTER XXI: THE CRISIS	242	(7)
Another front - Betuwe, 21-22 September...
Time is short...
CHAPTER XXII: CUTTING THE CORRIDOR	249	(14)
Objective Veghel...
From east and west. The blow falls, 22 September...
Maintaining the pressure. 23 September...
CHAPTER XIII: THE INVESTMENT OF OOSTERBEEK	263	(15)
The siege, 22-24 September...
Chivalry - and what to do with the wounded?...
Tanks and flame-throwers...
CHAPTER XXIV: THE FINAL CUT: KOEVERING	278	(10)
Prelude: The corridor, 23-24 September...
Objective Veghel - again; 24 September...
The Koevering raid, 24-26 September...
CHAPTER XXV: THE END	288	(15)
The Decision...
Deadlock...
The silent evacuation...
The end...
CHAPTER XXVI: ACHIEVEMENTS	303	(13)
CHAPTER XXVII: POSTSCRIPT - THE FINAL IRONY	316	(5)
APPENDICES
A Orders	321	(2)
B German order of battle	323	(16)
C German Casualties	339	(2)
SOURCES	341	(5)
NOTES ON THE TEXT	346	(14)
INDEX	360