7A_Woulf -> RE: Bridge demolition: Complete failure! (8/16/2010 3:09:21 AM)
|
Every unit in 1st British Airborne was a combat experienced unit (for an example: Frost had commanded 2nd Para since October 1942), but 'Market Garden' was the first time they fought as an entire division. They didn't have any urban combat experience, but Germans that had fought in Stalingrad were impressed with the performance of 2nd Para. When a German soldier asked a captured British officer (major Gough) if they had much urban combat experience, the officer answered something like: "No, this was our first try in this buissness. Next time we will do better" Urquhart was a former brigadier of 51st ('Highland') division and in January 1944 he took command of 1st British Airborne, but as I read somewhere: "Airborne troops becomes infantry as soon as they land." [:)] Bigger problems were the fact that the British I Airborne Corps created their signal section on September 2 (and still they didn't have any reliable liaison with 2nd Tactical Airforce), the entire radio system malfunctioned for the British Airborne the two first days, the Brits didn't trust the Dutch resistance (as the US Divisions did and got an advantage from, as working phone lines), they didn't believe in Panzer units around Arnhem, DZ too far away... MG was a military mess up, with great human sacrifices and bravery. '50 years after' is a significant number, that's the most common length of 'Top Secret' markers on military documents. In other words: -Documents classed as 'Top Secret' in 1945 became available for research in 2005.
|
|
|
|