Rocco D’Ambrosca: 02/28/2005
Sect. One
I read A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan. The book chronicles the greatest battle of WWII, the Battle of Arnhem or Operation Market Garden. The beginning of the book outlines and brings into perspective what the situation is in Europe at the time. It talks about the retreat of the Germans and advance of the allies. Then it goes on to explain the plan of Operation Market Garden; explaining in great details the assignments to both the air borne divisions and ground forces. Next the book goes on to tell how the attack played out. This includes the paratrooper drops and the movement of ground forces. Finally, the book tells of the attempts to take several bridges including the Son, the Nijmegen, and the Arnhem bridges.
Sect. Two
Although there are several characters I would have to say that since Lt. Gen Browning was the leader of Operation Market Garden he would have to be the main character. Browning as leader of this enormous undertaking was very proud and arrogant. He wanted nothing to stop him from achieving the glory that would be bestowed upon him if the operation was successful. Maj. Fuller tried several times to warn Browning that the plan may not be successful. Fuller warns of an enemy Panzer division hiding in Arnhem based on intelligence from the Dutch underground and then from reconnaissance photographs. Browning dismisses both showing that he would not let anything stop the operation. At the end of the book Browning has changed in that he now realizes that he was foolish for not listening to Maj. Fuller and continuing with the operation. As for Browning’s believability it is safe to say his believability is very strong since he is a real person and the portrayal of him is based on who he actually was and what he did.
Sect. Three
The most important theme I believe is that bigger isn’t always better. Although this theme is rather general I feel as though it is very fitting. Operation Market Garden was the single greatest armada of troop-carrying aircraft ever assembled for a single operation. Since Market Garden was such a large scale assault many things had to be executed together in harmony at the right time leading to many more chances for error. These many problems included the 101st being without Jeeps, radios that didn’t work, the detonation of the Son Bridge by the Germans, several delays for the tanks, fog in England, and the list goes on. This monumental operation relied heavily on timing for all parts to work together. However, many setbacks throughout the operation threw the timing off leading to failure.
Sect. Four
The most important conflict is of course the Battle of Arnhem including the taking of the bridges including the Son, Nijmegen, and the Arnhem bridges. The main cause was WWII but more specifically the cause was Field Marshal Montgomery’s grand plan to end the war before Christmas with one huge attack. The resolution was the failure of the operation and the loss of nearly twice as many men as D-Day.
Sect. Five
My overall opinion of the book is very positive. Although the book was extremely long, totally over 600 pages, it was still enjoyable to read. It was very well written and was very detailed in its explanations of the planning and execution of Operation Market Garden. I also enjoyed the photographs included in the two sections of the book. The photos gave me a better idea of who was involved, where it took place, and how the operation took place. Many people would never touch this book because of its length. But I have, because of my great interest in WWII and I am glad that I did read this book.
RoccoJoe.com 