World War II historians Al Murray and James Murray are in Arnhem walking in the footsteps of the British parachute battalions whose brave but badly coordinated attempt to reach John Frost at the Rhine bridge (the infamous “Bridge too Far”) ended in devastating failure in September 1944 as part of the ill-fated Operation Market Garden. ✅SUBSCRIBE / @ww2walkingtheground “James and Al discuss how the Germans managed to reinforce their positions in Arnhem so rapidly and why a “bottleneck” of converging roads on the edge of the town created an insoluble problem for the British troops — a bad situation made worse by the disappearance of their general at the height of the battle.
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I love this format of two informed mates discussing this key battle in history. Excellent.
Why there is a Finnish army flak gun crew picture at 4:40? Japanese would be better because at least they were at Axis side during Market Garden.
Great to follow along on Street View.
At the end of this would be great to watch a conversation on what could have been done differently
Let Al speak more plz
Class as ever chaps ✌️ keep them coming
Ehrmmm.. I think the biggest flaw and bottleneck of the Market Garden plan lies completely outside of Arnhem. Before WWII, the dutch military academy had various scenarios that their future officers had to work through. One of those was an advance from the south towards Nijmegen and Arnhem, pretty much exactly matching Montys intentions. If the hopeful officer candidates used the road that Monty chose, it was an immediate fail. The dutch military saw that as stupid since the road was narrow and way too easy to defend, the officer candidates should take a more circuitous route instead. So, if that route had already been wargamed to death, and knowing that the German defence would be fierce (getting close to lasr stand before home soil for them), that route north was suicidally stupid and whoever came up with it (Monty) willingly chose to ignore those well known facts, as well as solid intelligence from the Dutch resistance that there was a major force R&Ring near Arnhem. Sure, there will have been problems duting the battles at Arnhem, the landing fields were not ideal (but more or less the only available options), etc. However, the forces actually landing at Arnhem managed a truly magnificent feat and took and held the bridge for far longer than they could have reasonably been expected to. The relief forces… welllll.. thank your beloved Monty for that failure…
Fantastic recounting of the battle gents, really enjoyed it as usual. Can’t wait for the explanation of why two members of the top brass exposed themselves to such serious danger of capture by hiding in an attic. Were we cursed with incompetent leadership on reflection? Can’t decide whether the command vacuum was a blessing or a curse
One of the biggest Allied blunders of the war badly planned(in one week!) resulting in a suicide mission and a death trap for the Paras one of my Uncles fought and was captured at Arnheim
This is an excellent series. The battle is far more complex than the film A Bridge Too Far would have us believe! Mind blowing!
love this so much thanks gents
Great series… fascinating insight into a fascinating battle. Love Al's book… lots of surprises in there. (Had no idea Geoffrey Powell of 156 Para did not in fact escape as written in his own book)
Unbelievable knowledge you both have, I just can't get enough of these. Thank you Gentlemen 🤜🤜🤜🤜
I just love these on site battlefield tours of yours. Very well made and you guys present the history to us so clearly.
Brilliant stuff
Great vids from the both of you.
Does anyone know if James or Al plays Bolt Action or Chain of Command or anything similar? Because if not I think they would love it, and I would love to teach them and play with them!
Thank yo Al and James for keeping me hooked on this amazing series. Really informative and horribly real! Sat on edge of seat waiting for the next upload. Hope you all have a great Christmas and very merry new year, all the best from Somerset 💯✨🍺🍺👍🏻
Great reconnaissance again. Got your both books (Black Tuesday and Casino 44) from Dutch Santa, eager to start reading, also as former Arnhem inhabitant. Keep up the good pods and walking the grounds!
Market Garden The Second World War by John Keegan page 437
The Plan was the most calamitous flaw in the post Normandy campaign .It was more over barely excusable, since Ultra was supplying Montgomery's HQs from Sept 5 onward with intelligence .As early as Sept 12 Monty's own intelligence reported the Germans intended to hold out along the approaches to Antwerp. Monty – despite every warning and contrary to common military sense – refused to turn his troops back in their tracks to clear the Scheldt Estuary.
Determining, in a comprehensive study, a more objective perspective on German casualties during the engagement sounds like a challenge! Maybe a job for Bernhard Kast, better known online as Military History Visualized. Bernt, are you watching?
On another matter what was the RAF and USAAF doing to support the Allied side?
Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one hope you have lovely Christmas mate
Absolutely brilliantly described.
What's funny is that the two roads that fork after the bottleneck are literally called ''onderlangs'' and ''bovenlangs'', which roughly translate to ''along below'' and ''along above''.
Simply fantastic guys
I grew up in the 70s and 80s living on the Dutch/German border so some familiarity of the area. My grandfather set up a field hospital in the that area and at that time – I don't know where (I need to find out). Sterling work chaps!
Excellent as always.
The first reaction of the commander of the 82nd airborne division, James Gavin, was being stunned by the decision of the Brits to land at that distance of the bridge and then working their way through Arnhem to their objective. And everybody knows of the problems with urban combat. The British operation was doomed from the get-go.