BRIDGES ARE OURS

Rare identified airborne equipment, documents and artifacts from the December44 and D-Day Experience Museums’ collections and local collections are spread throughout the book.

Although the authors’ intentions were to compile a pictorial history, extensive research in American and British archives also lead to a better understanding of why Operation Market Garden ultimately failed in its mission.

“Bridges are Ours” begins when “Burning Bridges” stops, with the fight for the Nijmegen bridges. Roughly, five different attacks took place and each is dealt with in great detail. The main attacks on September 19 and 20, when the 2nd Battalion of the 505th Regiment, supported by British tanks, attacked both the railway and the road bridges from the south are discussed in detail. When the German defenders would not budge, the 504th Regiment was ordered to cross the Waal River in small boats, an action called by many one of the most heroic actions of WW2. De Trez and Hendrikx untangle the decision-making process of the Waal crossing and provide a detailed description, illustrated with many artifacts. After the 82nd Division accomplished all its missions, the last regiment is inserted in the fight. The 325th Glider Regiment was delayed for many days due to bad weather and dangerous planning. However, in the defensive battles that followed, the 325th Regiment played an important role.

“Bridges Are Ours” continues with the defensive battles of the 504th, 505th and 508th Regiments and its supporting artillery battalions. The activities of the glider pilots, members of the Air Force who were called upon to perform as infantry, are also covered. Many newly discovered photos tell a story of danger and misery. Units of the Division Headquarters, such as the Military Police, the Signalmen and the Medical Battalion are also well documented in “Bridges Are Ours”. The final chapter provides a critical assessment of the leading commanders of Operation Market Garden and their roles in the decision-making process and the execution of the operation. Sources in British and American archives shed new light on the historiography of Operation Market Garden.