German veteran 2nd Panzer Corps Commander Wilhelm Bittrich observed the 1st Airborne at Oosterbeek and was saddened when he recalled seeing the 1600 injured British paratroopers brought out during a truce, he said: -"This fight was perhaps not the worst I have seen but it was the hardest. I have never seen men fight as hard in close contact as in Oosterbeek. Urquhart's division was the best I ever fought. As for Frost's battalion, I would say it was almost abnormal, it fought so hard, but also very fair".
I was listening to this Podcast whilst I walked my dog this morning. Hugely coincidental; but, as Al and Jim started talking about Tony Hibbert (Brigade Major of 1st Parachute Brigade), I was walking past Syston Old Hall - the former Headquarters of 1st Parachute Brigade before and after MARKET.
But having reached Arnhem, and the bridge being intact, don't understand why XXX Corps/II Army didn't attempt a full-scale night crossing to seize the bridge? Suggests that they didn''t have the strength to establish a bridgehead in any event no?
German veteran 2nd Panzer Corps Commander Wilhelm Bittrich observed the 1st Airborne at Oosterbeek and was saddened when he recalled seeing the 1600 injured British paratroopers brought out during a truce, he said: -"This fight was perhaps not the worst I have seen but it was the hardest. I have never seen men fight as hard in close contact as in Oosterbeek. Urquhart's division was the best I ever fought. As for Frost's battalion, I would say it was almost abnormal, it fought so hard, but also very fair".
Loved these episodes
Great series, thank you.
Thank you Al Murray and James Holland.
I was listening to this Podcast whilst I walked my dog this morning. Hugely coincidental; but, as Al and Jim started talking about Tony Hibbert (Brigade Major of 1st Parachute Brigade), I was walking past Syston Old Hall - the former Headquarters of 1st Parachute Brigade before and after MARKET.
thanks chaps !!!! MASS REALITYAND HONESTY !!!! have listened to the series twice this week !!!! bleedin nora !!!
jeff from dublin
Urquhart stating after the battle "We would have gone anyways", was quite the opposite of Him punching Browning.🤔
great series
But having reached Arnhem, and the bridge being intact, don't understand why XXX Corps/II Army didn't attempt a full-scale night crossing to seize the bridge? Suggests that they didn''t have the strength to establish a bridgehead in any event no?