Gunners from the Sky: 1st Air Landing Light Regiment in Italy and at Arnhem, 1942 44

The 1st Air Landing Light Regiment RA played a crucial role in the Italian campaign and the Battle of Arnhem, and this book recounts the experiences of one of its soldiers, Gunner Eric Wright Chrystal. The regiment was formed in 1942 and trained in England before being deployed to Italy in 1943. Eric was seriously wounded in action and was captured near Arnhem in 1944. The book includes his eyewitness testimony and highlights the regiment's pivotal role in the fighting near Arnhem bridge.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The 1st Air Landing Light Regiment RA, a valiant unit, played a significant role in the Italian campaign and the Battle of Arnhem. This story encompasses the experiences of one of its soldiers, Gunner Eric Wright Chrystal, who joined the army in September 1942 and later became part of the newly formed glider-borne regiment the following year. His journey took him to Italy in 1943, where he encountered the harsh realities of war. Two years later, on September 17, 1944, he and his regiment were embarked on a daring glider landing near Arnhem in the Netherlands.

The authors, in their narrative, provide a contextual backdrop by detailing the formation of the 1st Air Landing Light Regiment RA and the extensive training undertaken in England. They vividly recount their father's involvement in the Italian campaign, where he served with E Troop, 3 Battery. The account details their actions at Rionero, Foggia, and Campobasso, where Eric faced the enemy head-on and sustained injuries.

The story then shifts focus to the regiment's preparation for and participation in Operation Market, the Airborne half of Market Garden. This operation aimed to secure the Arnhem bridge and open a route to Berlin. The regiment's pivotal role in this operation is highlighted, emphasizing their nine-day intense combat near Arnhem bridge. Eric, unfortunately, became one of the many captured soldiers and endured the hardships of captivity until the end of the war.

The inclusion of Eric's own eyewitness testimony adds a deeply personal and poignant dimension to this account. His firsthand experiences and observations provide a unique perspective on the regiment's combat and life in the PoW camps. The authors have done an exceptional job in capturing the essence of the 1st Air Landing Light Regiment RA's journey and the sacrifices made by its soldiers. This story serves as a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who served during World War II.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 166 x 241 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399088084