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Thread: OPERATION MARKET GARDEN - THE BATTLE FOR ARNHEM

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  1. #11
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Weren't all UKicon airborne forces volunteers during WW2?

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #12
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    I had a copy of "When Dragons Flew" arrive this week which I sourced off eBay but can be found on Amazon as well. Although currently out of print it is still readily available secondhand and there is a large section of the book devoted to Operation Market Garden.

    When Dragons Flew: Illustrated History of the 1st Battalion the Border Regiment, 1939-45: Amazon.co.uk: Eastwood, Stuart A., etc., Gray, Charles, Green, Alan T.: 9781857940480: Books

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  5. #13
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    ALL Paratroopers are volunteers. NOBODY is forced to put their body through the hardest P Company course known to man to then get a set of wings, and that is ALL Paratroopers, whether UKicon or US/Canadianicon/Australianicon or NZ.
    I can assure you the standards have not changed, and in my view immensely harder for Reserve Forces because it is crammed into such a short time frame, but the standards are still there and many fail.
    In my intake end of the 60's early 70's there were 71 at the start and only 16 passed out. That is still the same sort of ratio.
    Its not for the faint hearted, especially Military Parachuting............because it has its more complicated side jumping with heavy equipment, some of which, ie Mortar kit, is heavier then some jumpers!!!
    So many soldiers transfer from a unit to The Parachute Regiment having done Civvy Freefall.
    If only Military Parachuting was that easy. You are jumping in with enough ammo/food/water to sustain YOU for a lot of days.
    What does attract other unit soldiers is the money....PARA pay has always been good so obviously, to jump out of a perfectly serviced aircraft is always an option to better your life, but you are joining the best of the best!
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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  7. #14
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
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    The main difference between paratroopers and normal infantry is the mental attitude. You have to think differently: you land after jumping, knowing you are alone in enemy territory with only what you have on you, until the joining up force does indeed join up; or pickup takes place. All the other stuff can be learnt but the mental one makes the difference.

  8. #15
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Daan................so true. If you want to be at the tip of the spear, you have to be the sharpest!!
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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    Contributing Member Woodsy's Avatar
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    A family friend had his introduction to warfare as an 18 year old at Arnhem with the Paras, and was one of the lucky ones who got away. He would wear his Para beret and regimental association blazer on ANZAC Day but would never speak of his experience. He passed away about 12 years ago.

  10. #17
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Woodsy,
    What was his name and unit?
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

  11. #18
    Contributing Member Woodsy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gil Boyd View Post
    Woodsy,
    What was his name and unit?
    Bernard King, sorry but I didn't know his unit. He emigrated to NZicon about the '70's after being the works manager for Artex UKicon. His father was an entertainer who went under the stage name of Nosmo King.

  12. #19
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Last night at the elegant surroundings and history of the London Masonic Lodge buildings in Great Queen Street, next to Covent Grardens, we held a very special night in aid of the Airborne Assault Museum at IWM Duxford, where we showed the film THEIRS IS THE GLORY to over 100 people.

    Present was Bill Williams of A Company 3 PARA who got to the bridge in 1944, one of the very few survivors of the battle. He was very agile at his young age of 96, also our new Airborne Ambassador Bruce Crompton of COMBAT DEALERS fame on TV, who took the place of Richard Todd the actor and ex Para.

    As the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, I asked Bruce to talk about the SS Germanicon Counter attack and the losses they incurred on the bridge by men of the 2nd and 3rd Parachute Battalions.
    The Parachute Regiment Recrutiing team were in attandance in uniform, as were the Arnhem Legacy, and lots of "old soldiers".

    We were given a poster of the film a number of years ago which was first shown in 1946, using the men who fought the battle and made by famous film Director Desmond Hurst. This poster over the years had been signed by many of the soldiers who fought at Arnhem, and I got Bill to sign it as well. Bill is the only survivor now who signed the poster.

    I started the auction of this piece which sold for £1,000. Clearly someone knew its real provenance and value!!
    Great evening which we hope raised over £5,000.
    Its all over Facebook and some great write ups there.
    Picture of Bill Williams last night...........A Company 3rd Parachute Battalion, great man.

    Grave sight of an unknown Paratrooper during the battle for Arnhem. Grave at what is now Oosterbeek Cemetery the last defensive position. LEST WE FORGET these brave men who did make a massive difference during this week 77 years ago.
    UTRINQUE PARATUS
    Last edited by Gil Boyd; 09-26-2021 at 05:25 AM.
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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  14. #20
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Woodsy,
    Was he a gunner in thr Royal Artillery?
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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