Cover of the English edition of the book «a bridge too far»
Today, September 17, 2016, 72 years have passed since the operation "Market Garden". One of the most important operations carried out by the allies in the framework of World War II.
Montgomery's plan was to liberate Holland through a combined attack between an airborne force that was supposed to keep a number of key bridges intact (Market) and a land force that had to unite these bridges as it advanced (Garden).
Finally, what was expected was not achieved and the Allies had to prolong the war for a few more months due to the impossibility of liberating Holland in the month of September. The Germans therefore tactically won the battle. and they exposed Montgomery's errors of approach.
In any case, this operation is one of the most studied due to the magnitude of personnel and material allocated to its achievement. We must contemplate that we are before him largest drop by paratroopers and airborne forces in a single battle in history. All this with the disastrous outcome of a total of about 18.560 Allied and German soldiers killed. Data to which we must add an indeterminate, but large, number of victims among Dutch civilians.
I would like, to learn a little more about this historical chapter, and to appreciate first-hand the sacrifice of the soldiers, of one side and the other, during the terrible combats that occurred on Dutch soil, to recommend two books that in my opinion are key to dealing with this battle.
First of all, I want to tell you about what is perhaps, the quintessential book of "Market Garden " and the one that, for movie lovers, will be more familiar for its adaptation directed by Richard Attenborough with the same title. I am referring to the book written by Cornelius Ryan entitled "A Bridge Too Far".
Cornelius Ryan is considered one of the writers referring to the theme of World War II. Fact that is based on the publication of the aforementioned book and another entitled: "The longest day", also brought to the big screen by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton and Bernhard Wicki.
His experiences as a war correspondent during the conflict allowed him to write these works in a masterful way. Therefore, for me, "A very distant bridge" has to be the bedside book of all those interested in this chapter of the war that struck Europe in the mid-XNUMXth century.
Finally, I would like to present you another book that I consider a marvel for its historical rigor and literary style. I'm talking about "Defeat on the Rhine" by Antonio Muñoz.
Book «Defeat on the Rhine» by Antonio Muñoz.
A fantastic work that allows us to understand what aspects led to the tactical defeat of the allies, what historical consequences this defeat entailed and what magnitude of war resources such an undertaking entailed. Work that, therefore, I think should appear in my personal selection to commemorate this anniversary.
I say goodbye to you and invite you to learn by reading from the past so that, in the present, no one makes the same mistakes and regrets not having read them when he played.
Good weekend.