Review:It Never Snows In September

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Title:It Never Snows in September
Authour: Robert J. Kershaw
Publisher: Ian Allan
ISBN: 1-885119-31-3
Stars: 5 (out of 5)

Well, I have heard a lot about this book over the pasts few years. For some reason I never found a copy when I actually did search for it. Found this copy at Aberdeen Book Store.
This book covers Operation Market Garden the Airborne landings in Holland in '44, you know the movie, A Bridge Too Far ?? Well, this book is it. As there are quite a few books on this topic I found this one really interesting as it is from the GERMAN side of the battle.
There are 25 chapters in 340pages with many photos spread through out the book. Many that I have not seen.
What I found interesting is that the authour made it easy to follow along w/each chapter by describing the scene as the Germans saw it. There are a few maps and air photos with descriptions of what unit is where and who is facing who. There are also quite a few quotes from German soldiers. I also liked the fact that these same soldiers are quoted/interviewed throughout so you get the feel of what they are seeing. These soldiers are either SS-Reg Army-Specialist (also a Brit POW during the battle) or Comd of a unit.
The book describes how the Germans were able to muster large units so fast and block the advances of the Allied Airborne units. It also states how these units faired in battle with the elite Allied soldiers and the huge losses in men and material due to improper planning and using "green"/inexperienced troops.
I found the book to be a fair and evenly balanced look at this particular battle and how and why it succeded and failed in certain areas for both the Allies and German forces.

[Jason Pipes]

I've had this book for many years and can recommend it highly. It's a fantastic work on the battle and includes a great deal of material from the German perspective. The maps are excellent as are the oobs.

[Jan-Hendrik]

Good book, only few errors..can recommend it

Read this one, and Tiekes In the firestorm of last war years and you will have a good insight into the german side



Jan-Hendrik

[Richard Hargreaves]

Excellent, excellent book. War Without Garlands is even better (but unlike the Arnhem book it's never been translated into German strangely).

He's just written a book on the men of the Tank Corps which is out next month.

[Jager1945]

This was a great book and extraorinary read.

Although I read this some months ago, after stumbling on this post, I had to comment. I found this book very factual and enlightening from the German paratroopers perspective. Having read a great many books about elite soldiers in wartime. I thought this book was very well written and translated.
Having an advanced degree in German language; I think the meaning of this book was not lost in the translation, as some cobbled translations have fared, as we all know. It really brought me back to the very nasty business of the "War in Europe" in 1944 in its details and portrayals of green troops, lead by seasoned veteran NCOs and officers with no hope of winning the war.

There are many references to the individual participants experiences especially the author, during this battle (Market Garden) in this book. Buy it and enjoy a great one.

Cheers,

-Robert

P.S. I read the Band of Brothers by Steven Ambrose and David Websters tomb (I cannot recall the name as it rests in my library 20 miles from here) , right before the It Never Snows in September, book. Google it! Both or all three are wonderful reads

[Jager1945]

Oops. Sorry readers. I meant tome in my last posts, post script, as a tomb would be a place to file away the Faux Pass as it would not be quite right.


Bestens,

-Robert