B L A S T I N G THE BRITISH O U T

Mark III panzers and Panzer-grenadiers photographed by Krachtoperating just north-east of the bridge, whose superstructure is justvisible through the mist and smoke. (Kabel-Kracht)

frame reveals the emergency power station,surrounded now by battered houses, theoriginal start point for Brinkmann'scounter-attacks on the Monday morning.Whole walls of houses have been shot awayby tank guns, exposing sagging floors stillsupporting furniture. Climbing a roof-topobservation post, Kracht took a view of thedamaged Eusebius church, surrounded bythe gaunt and roofless shells of otherhouses torn open and exposed to the ele-ments. At ground level again the cameracaptures a glimpse of the photographer'sown panzer Mark III tank reversing intoposition behind the biscuit factory east ofthe bridge, its engine decks strewn with

branches for camouflage. Crew membersstand idly by, the tank's radio operator,Meuel, a youth of 17 years self-consciouslygrinning with his hands in his pockets.Behind the buildings forming the backdropFrost's paratroopers are desperately play-ing out their last drama on the bridge.Panzer company 'Mielke' had beenincorporated into the Kampfgruppe'Knaust'. Knaust was a leader of somecharisma, and is mentioned by a number ofGerman survivors who fought at Arnhem.Kracht commented that 'despite hiswooden leg, Major Knaust was very agileand would not hesitate to present his per-son as a target for snipers and artillery in a

181