Operation Market Garden was the last major Allied failure of World War II. In September 1944, tens of thousands of paratroopers jumped from the sky in the largest airborne assault in history to liberate the Netherlands, cross the Rhine and bring the war to a swift end. Unfortunately Market Garden’s intricate plans soon went awry as the lightly-armed paratroopers descended on two unexpected Panzer divisions, and the planned liberation turned into a desperate fight for survival. The courage of the British 1st Airborne Division at the Battle of Arnhem in particular became renowned with the fighting, focussing on the now legendary “Bridge Too Far” over the Rhine. History of War issue 34 discovers this brutal battle through the eyes of two British veterans who fought at Arnhem. Now in their 90s, Private Stephen Morgan and Sapper Tom Hicks recall extraordinary tales of bloodshed, desperation, sacrifice and above all: courage.
Elsewhere in this packed issue there are other fascinating articles from across history. ‘Killing Hitler’s Hangman’ investigates Operation Anthropoid: the daring Czech attempt to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, the infamous ‘Butcher of Prague’ and architect of the Holocaust. ‘Great Battles: Ivry’ looks at the 1590 battle between Protestants and Catholics that would decide the future of France under King Henry IV. ‘Edward I: Hammer of Britain’ goes even further back to the Middle Ages and uncovers how the nemesis of Sir William Wallace led brutal campaigns, not just in Scotland but also Wales, England and even the Holy Land.
Elsewhere in History of War issue 34:
- Operators Handbook: Me 262
- The Briefing: The Polisario
- Heroes of the Reich: Georg Meiser
- MACV-SOG: Vietnam Special Forces
- Artefact of War: ‘Marengo’ Snuffbox
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