OPERATION MARKET GARDEN LECTURE SUPPORT

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OPERATION MARKET GARDEN LECTURE SUPPORT

THE JOINT SERVICES COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEDGE

 

In support of the intermediate Command Staff Land course, one of many courses run at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, 3 members of the FAAA joined other Living Historian from a variety of groups in undertaking table top displays of weapons and equipment used during the September 1944 Market Garden Operation to enable senior military officer students to handle and inspect the type of equipment used in the operation prior to their course visiting the battlefields of Holland.

 

The Defence Academy is the UK's Defence higher educational establishment and trains the future commanders and staff officers of all three UK Armed Services and those from many other countries around the world.

 

As part of the course we were supporting Military students study both in the class room and on the ground all aspects of Operation Market Garden, this particular course were looking in detail at the battles fought by 30 Corps and the 43 Wessex Brigade and how these land battles fitted in with the Airborne operation undertaken by the British 1st Airborne and American 101st and 82nd Divisions.

 

The students both British Military and American Military exchange students along with Veterans will deploy out to Arnhem, twice this year once in April and again in August, prior to deploying student undertake several lectures on the Campaign and they themselves have to study in preparation for giving detailed lectures (Teaching Practices) on elements of the battle.

 

Our task was to provide the period Uniformed support to one of these lectures and to assist the course by allowing the Officers hands on experience of the weapons and equipment used in the operation, thus allowing them to compare the WWII Allied and Axis equipment and Uniform to the current equipment found in the British and NATO Forces.

 

The Day was quite full on and with the problems caused by the closure of Airports in the UK the programme we had been given had to be modified at the last minute which meant a rapid setting up phase which gave us just about enough time to get the kit out and set up before the Officer Students came out of the lecture theatre. However we were just ready and we spent the next hour to hour and half interacting with senior officers. The Student Officers were very interested in all the kit on display, some were already very knowledgeable in regards to the periods weapons and unit histories, however few had ever had an opportunity to handle the kit. The feedback we got was outstanding and considering these were professional fighting men most of which would of had several operational tours under their belts it was very humbling to get a thank you and handshakes after the event.

 

The Display of our gear was just part of our day at the Academy. After the task we were invited to the Officers Mess for lunch and then on to Armoury where we were given a very informative presentation on the weapons held at this establishment. Over 1500 weapons are held here and ALL are fully operational and many are fired on the range 3 or 4 times a week. These weapons include 1, some times 2 copies of all the small arms used by the American and British Infantryman in WWII and also every type of Axis weapon used including some very rare examples that can only be found here at the Staff Collage.

 

All too soon the day came to an end, but this is only the first of what we hope will be many return trips to support the various courses. Certainly as a result of the warm welcome we were given I recommend that this association consider it as a firm commitment if and when we may be required.

 

A very interesting and productive day indeed.

 

Lee Bowden

FAAA

 

 

 

 

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