Second Newsletter

Operation Market Garden

17 September - 26 September, 1944

79 years ago today, Operation Market Garden came to it’s conclusion. The operation was an allied offensive, led primarily by British, American and Polish armed forces, in the Netherlands in September of 1944. Brainchild of British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery; it’s objective was to create a 64 mile salient into German territory with a bridgehead over the Nederrijn, a tributary of the Lower Rhine River, creating a route into northern Germany. Despite heavy losses, the allies did establish most of the salient along a road later named “Hell’s Highway”. Yet, the overall objective was not met when the British First Airborne Division and the attached Polish First Parachute Brigade were defeated at Arnhem and the final bridge over the Rhine was not secured. The failure to capture this last bridge led to the infamous book and movie titled “A Bridge To Far”. The image above of the Hotel Tafelberg was turned into an aid station during this battle where many British troops were treated until captured by the Germans.

Project Updates

What is the end goal?

This portrait project is part of an even larger endeavor to create a photo book dedicated to the men and women who took part in the second world war and survived the Holocaust. This will be a published book to honor and preserve the memory of the sacrifices made during those years.

The stories of the veterans who served and the survivors who persevered against all odds will serve as both the primary resource for the book and represent the hundreds of millions of people effected in one way or another by the war. The photos of the locations as they are today, shows the reader through photographs, that just like the men and women featured in the portraits, time can heal, but the aftermath of World War II changed the literal landscape and the landscape of humanity forever. The website that accompanies the book, will also serve as a place where the reader can gain even more information about all the veterans and survivors and can access interviews that were done either by myself or other organizations.

What has been accomplished thus far?

To date, photographs have been taken in ten different European nations for the environmental portion. Five trips have been taken to Europe where most, if not all the time was spent capturing images for the project. A World War II veteran was escorted to his first Battle of the Bulge anniversary in Bastogne, Belgium.

Portraits have been taken of over 190 veterans and survivors. These portraits have been taken in twenty-one different states and in three different countries.

What is left?

Simply, a lot is left to do.

At least a dozen more portraits and interviews need to be done to properly assure a well-rounded representation of units and nations who served and Survivors of the Holocaust who endured the wars horrors. It is also important not just to represent the American Military in this project. Just a few weeks ago, the first Canadian veterans were added to this project so that now the Americans, Canadians, Belgians, and Germans have at least one representative in the book. The goal is to include at least one representative from some other nations militaries as well such as the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

The gargantuan task that lies ahead is capturing the Pacific Theater in photographs much the way this project has already documented the European Theater and Concentration Camps. The logistical and economic challenges that come from this undertaking are not going to be easy to overcome. Despite the difficult nature of this endeavor, it must be completed to conclude the project and publish the book.

How can I help?

For those of you who don’t already follow “The Necessary War” on Facebook and Instagram, please do so! The more of a following that we have, the more people can learn from the stories about the men and women who are included in this project.

facebook.com/TheNecessaryWar

instagram.com/thenecessarywar/

In the coming weeks a fundraising campaign will be launched, so please be on the lookout for that if you are able to assist.

How can I get in touch?

You can e-mail me at Steven@TheNecessaryWar.com

Or you can reply directly to this email!

Thank you and hope to hear from all of you soon!