Airborne Assault on Holland
Published
by Headquarters, Army Air Forces
Washington, D.C.
Office of
Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence
From Reports Prepared by MAAF
New
Imprint by the
Center for Air Force History
Washington, D.C. 1992
Foreword
Airborne Assault on Holland highlights the role of air power as the Allies attempted to penetrate German defenses at the Siegfried Line. The work reflects the circumstances of the time and the desire to find good even in unfortunate circumstances and should be read with this in mind. Allied airborne paratroops and glider-borne units converged on Arnhem. Unfortunately, stiff German resistance forced their eventual withdrawal; Allied tactical air power prevented even heavier friendly losses, but could not turn defeat into victory. This boldly conceived operation involved the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in a variety of missions: troop transport, fighter escort, flak neutralization, air cover, and resupply of ground forces.
Contents
- The Situation
- Narrative of the Operation
- Intention and Plan
- RAF Starts
- Enemy Strikes Back
- Weather Interferes
- Reinforcement Impossible
- Corridor Made Firm
- British Withdrawn
- Glider Phase of the Operation
- Pathfinder Activity
- Air Evacuation
- Air-Sea Rescue Services
- German Air Force Reaction to the Airborne Landings
- Details of Enemy Daylight Air Operations
- Details of Enemy Night Air Operations
- Conclusion
- Statistics
- Conclusions
- Commendations
- The Epic Struggle of the First Airborne Division
Illustrations
