New and shrink-wrapped.
Autumn Gale (Herbststurm) book by Didden and Swarts
This is a large book, with 550 colour pages, based on Allied, German and Dutch records, most of which have not been previously researched. It paints a vivid picture of how a small German Kampfgruppe (battlegroup) slowed the Allied advance at a critical stage of World War 2. With the collapse of German forces in France, the end of the war in Europe seemed close, but the German recovery dashed the Allied hopes. Autumn Gale begins with the capture of Antwerp on 4 September 1944 and goes on to describe in detail the various battles in Northern Belgium (Merksem, Beringen, Hechtel, Geel, Ten Aard), the capture of Joe’s Bridge, Operation Market Garden (focusing on Hell’s Highway), including the armoured battles near Son and Veghel. The battles for Breda, Bergen op Zoom and ‘s-Hertogenbosch are covered, including those near Wuustwezel, Roosendaal and Raamsdonk, until the final withdrawal of 15. Armee behind the river Maas in November. This is the first time that a publication reveals the real facts:
- Kampfgruppe Chill’s critical role
- History and actions of s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt.559, the second unit to be equipped with the Jagdpanther
- The exact composition of Kampfgruppe Walther during Operation Market Garden
- Participating Sturmgeschütz units (e.g; Sturmgeschützbrigade 280 after Arnhem)
- Composition and actions of the Fallschirm units (including Market Garden)
- The impact of 2nd Tactical Air Force
- The contribution of the Kriegsmarine
Of the 800 photographs in Autumn Gale, most are unpublished. Full-colour maps are based on original wartime ordnance survey maps.
Book Data
Authors: Jack Didden and Maarten Swarts
ISBN: 9789080039384
Language: English
Photos: 800+
Pages: 550
Physical: Hardcover, 280x220mm, portrait
Chapters
1. Trial and Error (1936-1943)
2. Getting ready for Battle (January – August 1944)
3. Halt the Advance (Antwerp, 4 – 7 September 1944
4. The Bloody Triangle 1 (Beringen to Hechtel, 5 – 13 September 1944)
5. The Bloody Triangle 2 (Geel, 7 – 13 September 1944)
6. Joe’s Bridge (Lommel and De Kolonie, 11 – 16 September 1944)
7. The Scots are coming (Ten Aard, 13 – 20 September 1944
8. Holding up an Army (Valkenswaard and beyond, 17 – 20 September 1944)
9. Cutting the Corridor (Veghel and Eerde, 21 – 26 September 1944)
10. Fire Brigade (Goirle, 27 September – 10 October 1944)
11. The Polders (Woensdrecht, 24 September – 19 October 1944)
12. Battle along the Border (Wuustwezel, 20 – 23 October 1944)
13. Into the Town of the Dragon (Den Bosch, 24 – 30 October 1944)
Relief for the 15.Armee
Operation “Guy Fawkes”
14. Endgame (Western Brabant, 24 October – 9 November 1944)
15. Conclusions
Appendix 1 Roll of Honour
Appendix 2 Tactical Guidelines for Jagdpanther
Appendix 3 Structure fighting elements schwere Heeres Panzerjäger-Abt. 559
Appendix 4 Structure Kampfgruppe Chill
Appendix 5 Casualties 5 September – 9 November 1944
