Kershaw, Robert J. It Never Snows in September: The German View of Market-Garden and the Battle of Arnhem, September 1944. New York: Sarpedon, 1996.

364 pages
ISBN 1-885119-31-3

Preface; photos; maps; sources; notes on the text; index.

Appendices: Orders; German order of battle; German casualties

"Another Market-Garden book?" I was asked by a friend. "Why bother? Aren't there enough already?"

There are plenty of Market-Garden books, notably Martin Middlebrook's recent and very well-regarded Arnhem 1944. But Robert Kershaw, it turns out, has put together the best book about the battle from the German perspective.

Although Kershaw has interviewed many participants and their comments appear on most pages, this is a carefully written work with a strong, well-developed narrative rather than just a vessel for disjointed personal reminiscences. From the disorganzied German retreat from Normandy to the first crust defense forming in the Netherlands and through the entire duration of the battle, the German situation and operations are thoroughly described through professional military eyes-- those of the German soldiers in the field, their officers, and Kershaw (himself a post-war officer in the Parachute Regiment).

"Arppe [a German war correspondent] stepped into the road and began photographing, first the leading elements, and then the companies, bunched up together for a rapid road move. Up to 100 soldiers were soon visible, shoulders swinging, heads bobbing up and down, as platoons advanced in staggered anti-aircraft formation, using both sides of the road. In the photographs they are mainly teenagers, hot and perspiring, dressed in distinctive Fallschirmjaeger smocks, wearing an assortment of Wehrmacht and airborne helmets. Others wear the Luftwaffe field cap, or stride along bare-headed, long hair caught by the breeze. Stick grenades are stuffed in the front of belts ready for action, and full bandoliers of extra small arms ammunition hang like harnesses from the neck and across the backs. Rifles are often carelessly slung over shoulders for ease of carriage or cradled in the crook of the arm. Helmets and mess tins suspended from belts clank noisily as they stride by. A few soldiers tap the road with crudely fashioned walking sticks as if on an afternoon hike. Panzerfausts perched on shoulders, however, belie the peacefulness of the scene. Faces turn and smile easily at the camera. These troops have yet to be committed to battle. A considerable number viewed through the lens will be dead or maimed before evening. Few will eventually survive the war."

Good maps (some in color). Many excellent photos (including some of those described above). Detailed German OBs. All in all a very solid work.

Available through mail order booksellers and local bookshops, or directly from Sarpedon for $39.95.

Thanks to Sarpedon for supplying this review copy.