This book tells the story of the search for the men aboard a huge Horsa glider that sailed into the Battle at Arnhem on 18 September 1944. In the early phase of the battle the pilots of the British engineless plane wish their passengers good luck in their race for the Arnhem bridges, probably never to see them again. 54 years later one of the pilots, Sergeant Morley 'Taffy' Williams, visiting the Netherlands for the annual commemorations of the battle, meets a Dutch journalist and expresses his deep wish to find out what happened to his passengers of that fateful flight to Arnhem. Together they decide to start a search for them. Over six years later this investigation has resulted in a moving personal story of the Battle at Arnhem. The captivating stories of the airbornes give the reader a surprising and gripping view on the events. As a fascinating consequence the search has led to several unexpected renewed personal contacts between the pilot and some of his passengers and their relatives. It also rekindled the search for some of Morley's passengers that are still missing.
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"...an enjoyable and touching story which was a pleasure to read from beginning to end. It wears its heart on its sleeve and tells a clear and direct story of one small group of men at Arnhem." - Arrse.co.uk November 2011
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read quite a few books about Arnhem, but this one was quite different. The author is a Dutchman who met an ex-glider pilot, Sorley Williams, through reading his account of the battle and experiences as a prisoner while doing voluntary work at the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek.
Having made contact with Mr Williams, the first part of the book tells Williams' story before the war, at Arnhem, as a prisoner-of-war and after the war was over. However, the ex-pilot was curious to know what happened to the platoon of infantry that he helped fly to the battle over 50 years earlier.
The second part of the book is the Dutchman's account of how he went about finding which glider the pilot flew, then which unit was in it, then a list of the men's names, and finally the men themselves.
The third part of the book is his account of the platoon, which turns out to be 13 Platoon, B Company, 1st Border Regiment, during the battle and on to prisoner-of-war camps. This is pieced together from the men's memories, stories from their relatives and official accounts.
The final part of the book then tells the story of what happened to the men after the war was over.
The writing has been translated from Dutch, and I really enjoyed the reminder this was a `labour of love' from a Dutchman on behalf of British soldiers and airmen. The author is a journalist and writes in a very accessible and engaging style, clearly becoming personally involved in the story. The platoon was positioned by the Driel Ferry, on the Westerbouwing, and after a fairly quiet (though tense) couple of days they were heavily attacked on the 20th. The maps are helpful, and tie-in with the text; this shouldn't be a rarity in a military history, but it is and was much appreciated.... Read more ›
Having made contact with Mr Williams, the first part of the book tells Williams' story before the war, at Arnhem, as a prisoner-of-war and after the war was over. However, the ex-pilot was curious to know what happened to the platoon of infantry that he helped fly to the battle over 50 years earlier.
The second part of the book is the Dutchman's account of how he went about finding which glider the pilot flew, then which unit was in it, then a list of the men's names, and finally the men themselves.
The third part of the book is his account of the platoon, which turns out to be 13 Platoon, B Company, 1st Border Regiment, during the battle and on to prisoner-of-war camps. This is pieced together from the men's memories, stories from their relatives and official accounts.
The final part of the book then tells the story of what happened to the men after the war was over.
The writing has been translated from Dutch, and I really enjoyed the reminder this was a `labour of love' from a Dutchman on behalf of British soldiers and airmen. The author is a journalist and writes in a very accessible and engaging style, clearly becoming personally involved in the story. The platoon was positioned by the Driel Ferry, on the Westerbouwing, and after a fairly quiet (though tense) couple of days they were heavily attacked on the 20th. The maps are helpful, and tie-in with the text; this shouldn't be a rarity in a military history, but it is and was much appreciated.... Read more ›
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Koektok
Format:Paperback
Read this book a few years ago and was very satisfied.
The author has picked a refreshingly new approach to add a very welcome, original addition to the vast numbers of "MG" books. Nice thing about his style is that you get to know the main characters and find that you are fonder of one man, than the other. As it is in real life.
This is all about the members of one platoon in 1st Border, 1st A/L Brigade, 1944. You are introduced to the men and officers and then you are flown over to the Netherlands, dropped in all sorts of sticky situations, have a bit of a rumble and settle down on the western side of the Heksenkessel.
Good luck, mate.
Life gets a little bit complicated; platoons and sections are getting hasssled (by Gerry and their own lot), moved about a lot,there is no resupply and where is 30 Corps?
Then comes along an officer and the men charge across a bare field, towards Gerry. Yep, the guys from 1st Border get wasted.
I've walked across this field many a time and the stupidity of this man's decision never ceases to amaze me.
"Men fought like lions but were led by donkeys", spings to mind.
The cemetry at Oosterbeek is a grim reminder that life could be very short, in those lovely woods of Oosterbeek, in 1944.
A great read and, once again, a humbling experience.
The author has picked a refreshingly new approach to add a very welcome, original addition to the vast numbers of "MG" books. Nice thing about his style is that you get to know the main characters and find that you are fonder of one man, than the other. As it is in real life.
This is all about the members of one platoon in 1st Border, 1st A/L Brigade, 1944. You are introduced to the men and officers and then you are flown over to the Netherlands, dropped in all sorts of sticky situations, have a bit of a rumble and settle down on the western side of the Heksenkessel.
Good luck, mate.
Life gets a little bit complicated; platoons and sections are getting hasssled (by Gerry and their own lot), moved about a lot,there is no resupply and where is 30 Corps?
Then comes along an officer and the men charge across a bare field, towards Gerry. Yep, the guys from 1st Border get wasted.
I've walked across this field many a time and the stupidity of this man's decision never ceases to amaze me.
"Men fought like lions but were led by donkeys", spings to mind.
The cemetry at Oosterbeek is a grim reminder that life could be very short, in those lovely woods of Oosterbeek, in 1944.
A great read and, once again, a humbling experience.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved this, but i'm Uncle Morleys cousin so have a vested interest! It brought my cousin to life along with the men he served with.
By J G Isles
Format:Paperback
It is a very good book and well written a very different book about Arnhem .. finding out who they were, how they joined the platoon ,the battle ,imprisonment and then life back in civvy street.My father jim is in the book and i`m sure he would of approved of it .
John
John
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