Books
2021 booklet to help researchers written by John Howes available to Fellowship members.
Leaflet produced in 2021 to commemorate the passing of Col. John Waddy OBE made available to Fellowship members by the 151/156 Parachute Battalion Association.
75th Commemoration Souvenir Book
As you will be aware this year is the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem and to celebrate this milestone the Arnhem 1944 Fellowship is pleased to announce that a souvenir book will be produced and be available in September 2019.
One of the Fellowship's aims is education and so for the last few months a group of members has been working on this project and this book will cover 10 areas of action which can be looked on as standalone 'battlefield tours'. Each chapter/tour has been submitted by a different person.
The tours covered by the book are as follows in no particular order:
C Company 2nd Parachute Battalion and the railway bridge, a walk through the Rosandepolder by Marcel Anker
1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Oosterbeek, 17th-25th September 1944 by Bob Hilton
A 10th Parachute Battalion walk by Graham Francis
The 7th (Galloway) Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, a walk (or cycle tour): Planken Wambuis, Ginkel and LZ S by Robert Sigmond
A walk along the Dreijenseweg by Scott Revell
A walk or bicycle tour across the Landing Zones at Wolfheze by Luuk Buist
1st Battalion The Border Regiment by Martijn Cornelissen and David Locke
Defensive actions of the 21st Independent Parachute Company in Oosterbeek by Peter Gijbels
The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group by Arno Baltussen and Mateus Mroz
An RAMC walk round Oosterbeek by Niall Cherry
It is intended to give a copy of this souvenir book to any Arnhem veteran who attends in September and also to any Arnhem veteran who is unable to attend personally if a copy is requested.
Members will be able to purchase a copy at a special price and will have priority for ordering. It will be produced in a limited print run of 500. The price to members will be around €17.50/£16.50.
The book will first be on sale in September 2019 but it is possible to express your interest in obtaining a copy by emailing the Arnhem Fellowship at info@arnhem1944fellowship.org
However, please note that priority for orders will be given to Fellowship members.
Booklet on Horsa Gliders
Written by Fellowship member Luuk Buist for the 2019 Commemorations, this booklet outlines the history, development and use of the Horsa glider. Produced in Dutch and English.
B Company Arrived - The Men
The Arnhem 1944 Fellowship is pleased to announce that one of its Life Members David van Buggenum has in September 2016 issued a supplement to his highly sought after book from 2003 called B Company Arrived. This supplement called B Company Arrived The Men contains new information received since the initial release and allows additional information on seven men from the Company to be released.
The book is a hardback, 168 pages and contains a number of colour and black and white photographs.
The first 250 copies are individually numbered and come with a facsimile copy of a boxing programme from February 1944 when a number of B Company entered the ring in a competition against BMARC, LNER Cambridge and NFS Louth.
The first sales were at the Fellowship AGM on September 16 2016 and is available in Holland from David or from Meijers and Segers bookshop in Oosterbeek.
The Fellowship are acting as the UK/RoW distributor and if you are interested in obtaining a copy please email info@arnhem1944fellowship.org
It is regretted that all our copies have now been sold but it is possible we can assist you in obtaining a copy and again please email us using the address above.
Sales to Fellowship members will be at a special discounted price.
David hard at work selling copies of his latest book
Desert Rise - Arnhem Descent
After much work we are pleased to announce that four life members of the Fellowship got together and launched in April 2016 on an unsuspecting public a book on the 10th Parachute Battalion in WW2 called Desert Rise Arnhem Descent. The main contributor was Martin Peters who had spent at least 20 years interviewing, researching and writing the story. The other three helped to put the icing on the cake and pull the story together.
Update as of September 2023
A third edition of Desert Rise Arnhem Descent has been printed and is on sale now. This third version includes four new annexes and a revised Nominal Roll. It is on sale at £35.00 - although for a limited period there will be a special price for Fellowship members. Only 300 have been printed and like previous editions will no doubt be highly sought after.
This book is unlikely to appear on internet sites such as Amazon and if you wish to obtain a copy please email arnhemfellowshipsecretary@outlook.com for more details.
Members will have been sent a newsflash with ordering details.
These are some comments received about the first version of the book:
Absolutely magnificent. One of the best if not the best Arnhem book in the last 10 years.
Magnificent, thoroughly researched and well written. The use of colour maps is great and have helped me to understand their actions greatly.
All work stopped whilst we looked at it!
Immediately goes into the top five Arnhem books ever!
Easily one of the best books on Arnhem I’ve ever read.
Easily one of the best ever Arnhem books - if you are a serious student of the battle you need this book.
Finally from the son of a member of the 10th Battalion who was at Arnhem:
I ordered the book (one of 400 in a limited edition) and had in detail, more detail than ever before, the history of the Battalion and its part in the Battle of Arnhem. There are references to my Dad and his fellow evaders; even his photograph (one I obviously supplied to Martin Peters over 20 years previously), along with that of Roy Gregory. It transported me back over 70 years, to a time in sleepy Somerby when my Dad (‘A’ Company) was billeted in large stables not far from the Stilton Cheese at the end of the High Street. There are accounts of visits to Leicester for the weekend, of training and various exercises in preparation for the Operations ahead, of many Operations which were cancelled at the last minute and of Operation Market Garden itself. I learned that the ‘Market’ was the air assault and that the ‘Garden’ was the ground assault (I’d forgotten about that). I was able to imagine the steps taken by Dad from RAF Spanhoe to the edge of the wood near Maasberg (Theo’s farm) where he and 8 others lived for 5 weeks behind enemy lines. And, of course, the account of Pegasus 1. This tome is a fitting tribute, not only to the 10th Parachute Battalion and those who served so admirably and bravely, but also to my Dad, of whom my memories will never fade but will burn all the more brightly for such a publication.
Freddie Gough's Specials
The Fellowship is very pleased to announce that one of it's life members Robert (Bob) Hilton, after many years research and writing has produced his book on the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron in the Second World War.
The book is 256 pages long with over 280 photographs. It weighs 1.6 kg and follows on with the normal R.N. Sigmond Publishing attention to detail and quality. I felt it would be difficult to surpass 'Remember Arnhem' but this book does!
If you think you are a serious student of Arnhem then this book needs to be in your collection.
It is priced at €42.50 or £38 for those in the UK/RoW.
Postage is extra.
The Fellowship have obtained a limited number of copies signed by Bob and these will be despatched shortly to those members who have pre-ordered.
If you wish to order a copy please email info@arnhem1944fellowship.org
It is regretted that all our copies have now been sold but it is possible we can assist you in obtaining a copy and again please email us using the address above.
Fighting the British at Arnhem
I have been advised that our life member Bob Gerritsen's book called Fighting the British at Arnhem - published by RN Sigmond Books went on from 21/09/2018.
The book is 224 pages, over 300 b/w photographs, documents & maps, full colour cover, hardback.
ISBN : 978-90-812703-9-7 Price (excl. P&P): The Netherlands € 34.50 -- UK £ 30.00
The book is on sale at various outlets and if you wish to obtain more information or to order a copy please email
info@arnhem1944fellowship.org
The Lost Company
The Arnhem 1944 Fellowship is very pleased to announce that one of its life members Marcel Anker after many years research and writing has completed a book on C Company of the 2nd Parachute Battalion. Members who came on the 2015 Fellowship walk will recall him mentioning that a book was in progress and here it is!
The book is called The Lost Company and is the story of C Company 2nd Parachute Battalion, in Oosterbeek and Arnhem, September 1944, it is a hard back, 128 pages long and contains around 180 B&W photographs and is 21cm x 28cm. It is a limited edition of 200 copies and tells in great detail the actions of this company at the railway bridge in lower Oosterbeek, then around the St Elisabeths Hospital and western Arnhem and finally the few survivors who fought in the Oosterbeek pocket. They were the only rifle company from the 2nd Battalion who never made it to the road bridge.
Over the years Marcel traced and spoke to many veterans of C Company and this work forms the backbone of the book.
The book is priced to Fellowship members at £27.50 for those in the UK. Postage is extra and will depend on where the book is sent to. £32.50 if not a member.
Rest of the World orders can be taken via PayPal.
If you wish to order a copy and you are advised not to wait too long please send an email to info@arnhem1944fellowship.org and you will be contacted in due course.
It is regretted that all our copies have now been sold but it is possible we can assist you in obtaining a copy and again please email us using the address above.
General Accounts
There have been many many 'general accounts' published over the years ranging from the excellent to the very poor. This list is in the view of the advisory panel some of the better options and if a newcomer to the battle a good place to start. A few comments have been added where appropriate:
Arnhem 1944 The Airborne Battle
by Martin Middlebrook.
Probably the best general history ever of the battle. Written for the 50th anniversary and the author was able to speak with around 500 veterans.
A Bridge too Far
by Cornelus Ryan.
Coverage of the entire operation and Ryan had the benefit of speaking with a number of veterans. Although there are a few crucial errors in it such as the 'non-arrival' of the Recce Squadron jeeps at Arnhem it is nevertheless a good account.
Operation Market Garden Volumes 1 and 2
by After The Battle edited by Karel Margery.
An expensive work but worth it. Includes more photographs taken in 1944 than any other book.
It Never Snows in September
by Robert Kershaw.
Included as the only general German view of Market Garden.
The Devil’s Birthday
by Geoffrey Powell
Kampfraum Arnheim
by Harlan Glenn and Remy
Spezzano. A photgraphic study of the German soldier figting in and around Arnhem, but also includes the corridor.
In this section we also have included a few miscellaneous works like casualties, officers, guide books and escape and evasion.
The Roll of Honour by John Hey
Who was Who by Chris van Roekel – list of officers in the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem
The Grey Goose of Arnhem by Leo Heaps – story of Operation Pegasus 1
A tour of the Arnhem Battlefields by John Waddy
Major and Mrs Holt’s Guide to Operation Market Garden by Tonie and Valmai Holt
Unit Histories
1st Parachute Battalion
A detailed account of this unit’s actions at Arnhem has not been publsihed - but a useful booklet covering their first few days in Holland has been published. This is:
Four Days at Arnhem by
Simon Curtis, Niall Cherry and John Howes
2nd Parachute Battalion
Without Tradition by Bob Peatling
B Company Arrived by David van Buggenum
B Company Arrived –The Men by David van Buggenum
The Lost Company by Marcel Anker - the actions of C Company at Arnhem
3rd Parachute Battalion
A detailed account of this unit’s actions at Arnhem has not been published - but a useful booklet covering the actions of C Company has been published. This is:
With Nothing Bigger than a Bren Gun by Niall Cherry
156 Parachute Battalion
From Delhi to Arnhem by John O’Reilly
Salute to the Steadfast by Harry Bankhead
Men at Arnhem by Geoffrey Powell
10th Parachute Battalion
Desert Rise Arnhem Descent by Martin Peters with Niall Cherry, John Howes and Graham Francis
11th Parachute Battalion
Arnhem Their Final Battle by Gerrit Pijpers and David Truesdale
21st Independent Parachute Company
Leading the Way to Arnhem by Peter Gijbels and David Truesdale
First In by Ron Kent
1st Battalion Border Regiment
When Dragons Flew by Stuart Eastwood, Alan Green and Charles Gray
No Return Flight 13 Platoon at Arnhem by Haks Walburgh Schmidt
1st Battalion the Border Regiment by Alan Green
2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment
By Land Sea and Air by Bart Smulders and Alex Junier with Jaap Korsloot
7th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Off at Last by Robert Sigmond
Nine Days at Arnhem by Robert Sigmond
1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade
Poles Apart by George Cholewczynski
Glider Pilot Regiment
Glider Pilots at Arnhem by Mike Peters and Luuk Buist
Tugs and Gliders by Arie Jan van Hees
Royal Artillery
Arnhem Bridge Target Mike One by Martijn Cornelissen, Bob Gerritsen and David Truesdale
Winged Gunners by Robert Woollacott
Point Blank Open Sights by John Howe
The Gunners at Arnhem by Peter Wilkinson
The first two books mentioned cover the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, the third the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery while the fourth is a general account of all four Royal Artillery units at Arnhem.
A detailed account of the 2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery and the 1st Airborne Forward Observation Unit actions at Arnhem have not been written; although some of the FOU stories are mentioned in the unit’s they were attached to.
1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers
A detailed account of this unit’s actions at Arnhem has not been written but the actions of the sappers in the schoolhouse at the road bridge are covered in:
With Nothing Bigger than a Bren Gun by Niall Cherry
4th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers
A detailed account of this unit’s actions at Arnhem has not been written.
9th Field Company Royal Engineers
Airborne Engineers The Shiny Ninth by Patrick Pronk
261st Field Park Company Royal Engineers
A detailed account of this unit’s actions at Arnhem has not been written.
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
With Spanners Descending by Joe Roberts
Royal Signals
Echoes from Arnhem by Lewis Golden
Royal Army Service Corps, Army Catering Corps and Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Arnhem The Fight to Sustain by Frank Steer
Royal Military Police
The Pegasus Patrol by Jack Turnbull and John Hamblett
Intelligence Corps
Worst Fears Confirmed by Graeme Deeley
Reconnaissance Corps
Remember Arnhem by John Fairley
Freddie Gough's Specials by Bob Hilton
Royal Army Chaplain’s Department
The Torn Horizon by Chris van Roekel
Royal Army Medical Corps
Red Berets and Red Crosses by Niall Cherry
Royal Air Force
The RAF at Arnhem by Geert Maassen and Luuk Buist
Green On by Arie Jan van Hees
German Books
SS Panzergrenadier Ausbildungs und Ersatz Batallion 16
Arnhem A Few Vital Hours by Scott Revell and Niall Cherry with Bob Gerritsen
Kampfgruppe Knaust
Retake Arnhem Bridge by Bob Gerritsen and Scott Revell
The SS-Unterfuhrerschule Arnheim
Fighting the British at Arnhem by Bob Gerritsen
Jedburgh Teams
Dutch Courage by Jelle Hooiveld
Personal Accounts/Individual Stories
With the Red Devils at Arnhem by Marek Swiecicki – Polish Liaison Officer and most likely the first ever Arnhem book as it was published in 1944.
Arnhem Spearhead by James Sims – 2nd Parachute Battalion member
A Sapper at Arnhem by Harry Faulkner-Brown – 4th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers member
Arnhem Lift by Louis Hagen – a glider pilot at Arnhem
Urquhart of Arnhem by John Baynes
An Arnhem Odyssey by Jim Longson and Christine Taylor – 1st Bn The Border Regiment member
Twelve Mules and a Pegasus by Harold Padfield – 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers member
Travel by Dark by Graeme Warrack – the Assistant Director of Medical Services – account based on his diary and the story of his escape.
I was a Stranger by John Hackett – commander of the 4th Parachute Brigade but regretfully does not cover his actions during the battle but the story of his escape.
Note various ‘small units’ such as the Public Relations Team and the Dutch Liaison Team have been omitted from this list. However, the advisory panel are happy to suggest sources where available for these units.
The Film Theirs is the Glory
Theirs is the Glory - Arnhem, Hurst and Conflict on Film by David Truesdale and Allan Esler Smith
A book covering the work of the director, why the film was made and subtitled 'Arnhem, Hurst and Conflict on film by David Truesdale and Allan Esler Smith. This book covers the work of the director Brian Desmond Hurst and why the film was made and how and where it was made.
If any member is aware of any other suitable books to include in this list please contact the Fellowship book panel via info@arnhem1944fellowship.org