Market Garden Engineer Series (mges)
Operation Market Garden has always held a special place for me ever since I read, `A Bridge Too Far'. I was nine years old at the time and it wasn't the first C. Ryan book that I had read. I loved his other books, `The Longest Day' and `The Last Battle' and I wished that he had lived to write more books.
When I write a book on a battle I always try to let the veteran's words carry the story instead of ramming my opinion down the reader's throat. After all, they were there and I wasn't. It is their story and it is my job to record it as accurately as possible without any prejudice from me. It isn't an easy thing to do, but I feel that I have accomplished it with each and every book that I have written.
In 2001 I visited Arnhem for the first time and that inspired me to research the battle even more. This lead me to research and write, `The Storm Boat Kings', which was picked up by Vanwell Publishing. Unfortunately it took them five years to publish it. In the meantime I didn't sit around waiting. I noticed that nothing had really been done on the engineers at Arnhem so I found out all I could about them. In 2006 I privately published 50 copies of `The Wrong Side of the River' and they went quickly. So I got the printer to run off 50 more. They too went quickly. The second edition of this book and the other 7 in the series are published by Travelogue 219 and are available for sale. If you really want a copy of the first edition then contact me. I might have one or two kicking around.
To see the books online please visits one of the following links:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Sliz/e/B002G1IC2E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1414858633&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/John-Sliz/e/B002G1IC2E/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/slizenator
When I write a book on a battle I always try to let the veteran's words carry the story instead of ramming my opinion down the reader's throat. After all, they were there and I wasn't. It is their story and it is my job to record it as accurately as possible without any prejudice from me. It isn't an easy thing to do, but I feel that I have accomplished it with each and every book that I have written.
In 2001 I visited Arnhem for the first time and that inspired me to research the battle even more. This lead me to research and write, `The Storm Boat Kings', which was picked up by Vanwell Publishing. Unfortunately it took them five years to publish it. In the meantime I didn't sit around waiting. I noticed that nothing had really been done on the engineers at Arnhem so I found out all I could about them. In 2006 I privately published 50 copies of `The Wrong Side of the River' and they went quickly. So I got the printer to run off 50 more. They too went quickly. The second edition of this book and the other 7 in the series are published by Travelogue 219 and are available for sale. If you really want a copy of the first edition then contact me. I might have one or two kicking around.
To see the books online please visits one of the following links:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Sliz/e/B002G1IC2E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1414858633&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/John-Sliz/e/B002G1IC2E/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/slizenator
MGES-1
The Wrong Side Of The River: The Polish Engineer Company At Arnhem
Paperback – May 5, 2011 (this edition)
During Operation Market Garden, the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade landed on the south side of the Rhine River, directly across from where the British 1st Airborne Division was trapped. The brigade's mission was to get across the river to reinforce the British and
the responsibility of getting them across fell to the engineer company. Without proper equipment and training the Polish engineer company struggled with their assignment. This is their story. 32 b + w pages Original maps and drawings Roll of Honour Nominal Roll.
Paperback: 32 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383800
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
Who wrote this review on Amazon? Whoever you are, thank you!
A great book By Amazon Customer on October 3, 2011
This booklet covers the actions of the Polish Engineers Company of the 1st Polish Parachute brigade in operation Market-Garden. The booklet is well written and has a lot of detail, with excellent maps, pictures and diagrams. Let me emphasize on this last thing,
because they help a lot to understand the situation and the crossing points on the river. It's obvious that John Sliz has a lot of interest and understanding of the combat engineers and you can appreciate this through the whole booklet.
Although, be warned, this is not a book for beginners. Is better to have some understanding of the whole operation by reading Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle, 17-26 September (Penguin History). And for a better understanding of the Polish Brigade my personal favorite is Poles Apart: Polish Airborne at the Battle of Arnhem.
The Wrong Side Of The River: The Polish Engineer Company At Arnhem
Paperback – May 5, 2011 (this edition)
During Operation Market Garden, the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade landed on the south side of the Rhine River, directly across from where the British 1st Airborne Division was trapped. The brigade's mission was to get across the river to reinforce the British and
the responsibility of getting them across fell to the engineer company. Without proper equipment and training the Polish engineer company struggled with their assignment. This is their story. 32 b + w pages Original maps and drawings Roll of Honour Nominal Roll.
Paperback: 32 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383800
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
Who wrote this review on Amazon? Whoever you are, thank you!
A great book By Amazon Customer on October 3, 2011
This booklet covers the actions of the Polish Engineers Company of the 1st Polish Parachute brigade in operation Market-Garden. The booklet is well written and has a lot of detail, with excellent maps, pictures and diagrams. Let me emphasize on this last thing,
because they help a lot to understand the situation and the crossing points on the river. It's obvious that John Sliz has a lot of interest and understanding of the combat engineers and you can appreciate this through the whole booklet.
Although, be warned, this is not a book for beginners. Is better to have some understanding of the whole operation by reading Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle, 17-26 September (Penguin History). And for a better understanding of the Polish Brigade my personal favorite is Poles Apart: Polish Airborne at the Battle of Arnhem.
MGES-2
Basic Function: The 4th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers at Arnhem
Paperback – February 10, 2010
The 4th Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers was raised to support the 4th Parachute Infantry Brigade and landed with them at Arnhem on 18th September 1944. Responsible for getting the brigade's heavy transport and guns across the railway embankment during their hasty retreat into the Oosterbeek Perimeter, the squadron found itself split in half and inserted into the line to fight as infantry. Each half stood their ground after repeated attacks, taking numerous casualties in the process. This is not only the story of how they held out, but how they managed to hit back at their attackers before they were eventually evacuated. This edition has 13 original maps and drawings and numerous never seen before pictures.
Paperback: 60 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383817
Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
Thank you for this review Mr. Neelissen:
Excellent addition to the Battle of Arnhem library By Paul Neelissen on March 25, 2010
John Sliz has done a great job with this booklet, part of his very interesting Market Garden Engineer Series. It contains everything a new 'Arnhem book' (there are hundreds of titles available...) should have: detail, many pics then and now, veterans stories, great detailed maps, all put together in a nicely written and very readable account. It is clearly written with love for the subject. A gem!
Basic Function: The 4th Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers at Arnhem
Paperback – February 10, 2010
The 4th Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers was raised to support the 4th Parachute Infantry Brigade and landed with them at Arnhem on 18th September 1944. Responsible for getting the brigade's heavy transport and guns across the railway embankment during their hasty retreat into the Oosterbeek Perimeter, the squadron found itself split in half and inserted into the line to fight as infantry. Each half stood their ground after repeated attacks, taking numerous casualties in the process. This is not only the story of how they held out, but how they managed to hit back at their attackers before they were eventually evacuated. This edition has 13 original maps and drawings and numerous never seen before pictures.
Paperback: 60 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383817
Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
Thank you for this review Mr. Neelissen:
Excellent addition to the Battle of Arnhem library By Paul Neelissen on March 25, 2010
John Sliz has done a great job with this booklet, part of his very interesting Market Garden Engineer Series. It contains everything a new 'Arnhem book' (there are hundreds of titles available...) should have: detail, many pics then and now, veterans stories, great detailed maps, all put together in a nicely written and very readable account. It is clearly written with love for the subject. A gem!
MGES-3
Engineers At The Bridge: The 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers At Arnhem
Paperback – December 2, 2010
The defense of the Arnhem bridge is one of history's most epic battles and the 1st Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers played an important part in it. Finding itself defending several
buildings around the bridge, the engineers were forced to put down their picks and shovels and pick up their rifles and Bren guns to fight as infantry. Starting with the creation of the squadron to the rebuilding after the battle, this is the story of how they held on even as the buildings they occupied burned and crumbled around them. This is book #3 in the Market Garden Engineer Series.
Paperback: 68 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383848
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
Thank you for this review Mr. Boscia:
Very well done. By Joseph F. Boscia on December 13, 2012
This is a very well done summary presentation of the British engineers' heroic fight at the Arnhem
bridge, and exceptionally well researched. Especially effective was the use of personal narratives to highlight the timeline of the action. The illustrations and photos all added to the story telling. It would have been nice to know what happened to the major characters after the war, but not doing so may be because of the book's short length, and certainly does not detract from it.
My only criticism is that the map of the road bridge on page 20 should have clearly shown where all the engineer elements were, instead of just one.
Engineers At The Bridge: The 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers At Arnhem
Paperback – December 2, 2010
The defense of the Arnhem bridge is one of history's most epic battles and the 1st Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers played an important part in it. Finding itself defending several
buildings around the bridge, the engineers were forced to put down their picks and shovels and pick up their rifles and Bren guns to fight as infantry. Starting with the creation of the squadron to the rebuilding after the battle, this is the story of how they held on even as the buildings they occupied burned and crumbled around them. This is book #3 in the Market Garden Engineer Series.
Paperback: 68 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383848
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
Thank you for this review Mr. Boscia:
Very well done. By Joseph F. Boscia on December 13, 2012
This is a very well done summary presentation of the British engineers' heroic fight at the Arnhem
bridge, and exceptionally well researched. Especially effective was the use of personal narratives to highlight the timeline of the action. The illustrations and photos all added to the story telling. It would have been nice to know what happened to the major characters after the war, but not doing so may be because of the book's short length, and certainly does not detract from it.
My only criticism is that the map of the road bridge on page 20 should have clearly shown where all the engineer elements were, instead of just one.
MGES-4
Assault Boats on the Waal: The 307th Engineer Battalion During Operation Market Garden
Paperback - September 29, 2011
This work is a snapshot of the U.S. 307th Engineer Battalion during the nine days of Operation Market Garden. It is a story that crescendos with the crossing of the Waal River, which many have referred to as the second Omaha Beach. Yet, that was not their only tough situation. Like their British counterparts at Arnhem, the U.S. engineers also had to fight as infantry, sometimes cut-off and surrounded from the rest of the division, sometimes surrounding the enemy themselves. Regardless of the task given to them, they performed to the best of their ability and all three parachute companies in the battalion were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their service in The Netherlands. In addition, the battalion was awarded the Military Order Of William for their work at Nijmegen.
Paperback: 52 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0987740458
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
Assault Boats on the Waal: The 307th Engineer Battalion During Operation Market Garden
Paperback - September 29, 2011
This work is a snapshot of the U.S. 307th Engineer Battalion during the nine days of Operation Market Garden. It is a story that crescendos with the crossing of the Waal River, which many have referred to as the second Omaha Beach. Yet, that was not their only tough situation. Like their British counterparts at Arnhem, the U.S. engineers also had to fight as infantry, sometimes cut-off and surrounded from the rest of the division, sometimes surrounding the enemy themselves. Regardless of the task given to them, they performed to the best of their ability and all three parachute companies in the battalion were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their service in The Netherlands. In addition, the battalion was awarded the Military Order Of William for their work at Nijmegen.
Paperback: 52 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0987740458
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
MGES-5
Bridging Hell's Highway: The 326th Engineer Battalion During Operation Market Garden
Paperback - June 21, 2011
This work is a snapshot of one of the engineer units that took part in Operation Market Garden, the 35,000 man airborne assault into The Netherlands to capture a series of bridges that would lead around the West Wall and into the heart of Germany. If all had gone well, Montgomery’s 21st Army Group probably would have beaten the Russians to Berlin and ended the war before Christmas 1944. This epic battle has been told many times from an overall view and has been the subject of many debates as to why the operation failed. This will not be repeated here. Instead, I offer a worm’s eye view of a small specialized group of men who did everything that was asked of them and more; losing twenty-four men during their time in The Netherlands. Compiled from personal accounts, war diaries, reports and a
selected bibliography, this is the story of the U.S. 326th Engineer Battalion during the nine days of Operation Market Garden. A story that focuses around all of the bridges in the fifteen mile stretch of highway with which the 101st Airborne Division was entrusted. Around these bridges is where the majority of the action occurred for the members of the 326th Engineer Battalion. Probably the most famous of their actions centers around the Bailey bridge at Zon.
However, as you will read, this was not the only bridge that the battalion focused on during the battle.
Paperback: 40 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383862
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
A recent review on Amazon.com:
"Really good details that I've not found in other published histories of this military operation during World War II. My own father was in this unit, so it is very meaningful to me."
https://www.amazon.com/Bridging-Hells-Highway-Battalion-Operation/dp/0978383869/
Bridging Hell's Highway: The 326th Engineer Battalion During Operation Market Garden
Paperback - June 21, 2011
This work is a snapshot of one of the engineer units that took part in Operation Market Garden, the 35,000 man airborne assault into The Netherlands to capture a series of bridges that would lead around the West Wall and into the heart of Germany. If all had gone well, Montgomery’s 21st Army Group probably would have beaten the Russians to Berlin and ended the war before Christmas 1944. This epic battle has been told many times from an overall view and has been the subject of many debates as to why the operation failed. This will not be repeated here. Instead, I offer a worm’s eye view of a small specialized group of men who did everything that was asked of them and more; losing twenty-four men during their time in The Netherlands. Compiled from personal accounts, war diaries, reports and a
selected bibliography, this is the story of the U.S. 326th Engineer Battalion during the nine days of Operation Market Garden. A story that focuses around all of the bridges in the fifteen mile stretch of highway with which the 101st Airborne Division was entrusted. Around these bridges is where the majority of the action occurred for the members of the 326th Engineer Battalion. Probably the most famous of their actions centers around the Bailey bridge at Zon.
However, as you will read, this was not the only bridge that the battalion focused on during the battle.
Paperback: 40 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0978383862
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
A recent review on Amazon.com:
"Really good details that I've not found in other published histories of this military operation during World War II. My own father was in this unit, so it is very meaningful to me."
https://www.amazon.com/Bridging-Hells-Highway-Battalion-Operation/dp/0978383869/
MGES-6
A Long Tradition: The 9th (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers At Arnhem
Paperback - September 19, 2011
The 9th (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers has had a long tradition of fighting as infantry and the operation at Arnhem was no exception. Over nine days the company obtained the highest death toll of any unit in the British 1st Airborne Division. This
disproportionally high figure shows how involved they were in the battle at the bridge, in the battle trying to get to the bridge and in the defense of the Oosterbeek Perimeter. In the end, roughly thirty percent of those who landed by glider nine days previously managed to evacuate across the river. It was a high price to pay. This is book #6 in the Market Garden Engineer Series and, like the others in the series, it contains numerous original maps and
photos.
Paperback: 68 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0987740441
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
A Long Tradition: The 9th (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers At Arnhem
Paperback - September 19, 2011
The 9th (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers has had a long tradition of fighting as infantry and the operation at Arnhem was no exception. Over nine days the company obtained the highest death toll of any unit in the British 1st Airborne Division. This
disproportionally high figure shows how involved they were in the battle at the bridge, in the battle trying to get to the bridge and in the defense of the Oosterbeek Perimeter. In the end, roughly thirty percent of those who landed by glider nine days previously managed to evacuate across the river. It was a high price to pay. This is book #6 in the Market Garden Engineer Series and, like the others in the series, it contains numerous original maps and
photos.
Paperback: 68 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0987740441
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
MGES-7
A Token Force: The 261st Field Park Company Royal Engineers (Airborne) At Arnhem
Paperback - November 11, 2012
Only 22 of the 98 men that made up the British 1st Airborne Division's field park company fought at Arnhem and their efforts are recorded in this book. Their lack of numbers was to prove a costly error for the division and the entire operation. This work also examines what might have happened if the entire field park company with all of their equipment was taken to Arnhem.
Paperback: 32 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0987740489
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
A Token Force: The 261st Field Park Company Royal Engineers (Airborne) At Arnhem
Paperback - November 11, 2012
Only 22 of the 98 men that made up the British 1st Airborne Division's field park company fought at Arnhem and their efforts are recorded in this book. Their lack of numbers was to prove a costly error for the division and the entire operation. This work also examines what might have happened if the entire field park company with all of their equipment was taken to Arnhem.
Paperback: 32 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0987740489
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
MGES-8
Commander Royal Engineers: The Headquarters of the Royal Engineers At Arnhem
Paperback - May 17, 2013
This is the story of the commander of the Royal Engineers during the Battle of
Arnhem and also of its previous commander who ironically planned the evacuation of his old division.
Paperback: 60 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1927679043
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
Commander Royal Engineers: The Headquarters of the Royal Engineers At Arnhem
Paperback - May 17, 2013
This is the story of the commander of the Royal Engineers during the Battle of
Arnhem and also of its previous commander who ironically planned the evacuation of his old division.
Paperback: 60 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1927679043
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
MGES-9
Bridging the Club Route: Guards Armoured Division's Engineers During Operation Market Garden.
Paperback - February 2015
The Guards Armoured Division led the advance from the breakout to the capture of the bridges at Nijmegen and their engineers were responsible for keeping the advance going at all costs. Positioned at the head of the column, they were prepared to bridge any and all waterways along the way. Amongst numerous tasks, they built a triple-single Bailey bridge at Zon overnight and cut the wires to the road bridge at Nijmegen. This book examines in detail how they performed the extraordinary tasks that they were presented with.
As per usual with this series, there are numerous original maps and drawings to illustrate the story. At 96 pages it will be the longest book in the series so far.
The book is at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridging-Club-Route-Divisions-Engineers/dp/1927679141/
http://www.amazon.com/Bridging-Club-Route-Divisions-Engineers/dp/1927679141/
And the second edition hardcover can be found at: http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-sliz/bridging-the-club-route/hardcover/product-22701601.html
Here is one the more interesting reviews that I've gotten from a reader: "A good account of the Engineers attached to the Guards Armoured and XXX Corps. Makes good use of sources and some very useful diagrams. It may seem like a short book but there is no waffle in there and an enjoyable read."
If that review wasn't good enough, I am very pleased to hear from Gordon Cantlay who told me that he found the book to be a very good account of what his unit went through. He also sent me a few photographs and things for the second edition.
Bridging the Club Route: Guards Armoured Division's Engineers During Operation Market Garden.
Paperback - February 2015
The Guards Armoured Division led the advance from the breakout to the capture of the bridges at Nijmegen and their engineers were responsible for keeping the advance going at all costs. Positioned at the head of the column, they were prepared to bridge any and all waterways along the way. Amongst numerous tasks, they built a triple-single Bailey bridge at Zon overnight and cut the wires to the road bridge at Nijmegen. This book examines in detail how they performed the extraordinary tasks that they were presented with.
As per usual with this series, there are numerous original maps and drawings to illustrate the story. At 96 pages it will be the longest book in the series so far.
The book is at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridging-Club-Route-Divisions-Engineers/dp/1927679141/
http://www.amazon.com/Bridging-Club-Route-Divisions-Engineers/dp/1927679141/
And the second edition hardcover can be found at: http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-sliz/bridging-the-club-route/hardcover/product-22701601.html
Here is one the more interesting reviews that I've gotten from a reader: "A good account of the Engineers attached to the Guards Armoured and XXX Corps. Makes good use of sources and some very useful diagrams. It may seem like a short book but there is no waffle in there and an enjoyable read."
If that review wasn't good enough, I am very pleased to hear from Gordon Cantlay who told me that he found the book to be a very good account of what his unit went through. He also sent me a few photographs and things for the second edition.
MGES-10
Special Bridging Force: Engineers Under XXX Corps During Operation Market Garden
Paperback - September 2021
Special Bridging Force: Engineers Under XXX Corps During Operation Market Garden
Paperback - September 2021
For those who like collector editions here is a hardcover version of two of my previously released books. They are, Engineers at the Bridge' and `Basic Function'. Also included are three mini-picture stories that relate to the books. It is only available for a limited time at:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-sliz/sapper-squadrons-at-arnhem/hardcover/product-22760936.html
http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-sliz/sapper-squadrons-at-arnhem/hardcover/product-22760936.html