AlexMacP | 05 Sep 2016 11:12 p.m. PST |
I'm looking for a few books on the Western Front of WW2. What would you consider the "must have" book for the wargamer on this subject? I would like something to use as a sourcebook to create historical scenarios for Battlegroup Overlord games. Many of the books I have read are too strategic/operational in scale to be useful at the platoon/company level. |
VVV reply | 05 Sep 2016 11:46 p.m. PST |
I think then you are looking at very specific books, I put forward Hill 112: Cornerstone of the Normandy Campaign but the internet will also be a good source. |
PiersBrand | 06 Sep 2016 1:41 a.m. PST |
No Triumphant Procession Im writing scenarios for Battlegroup from it at the moment… |
Martin Rapier | 06 Sep 2016 3:36 a.m. PST |
It depends if you are going to bathtub down big battles into a representative small actions (such as Skirmish Campaigns do), in which case the strategic books are fine. If you want to do actual platoon/company actions, then really you are into memoirs, unit histories and an awful lot of peering at maps. (Which I rather enjoy)> |
deephorse | 06 Sep 2016 4:53 a.m. PST |
Not the Overlord period, but I would recommend the "Duel in the Mist" series. Great detail. |
redbanner4145 | 06 Sep 2016 5:12 a.m. PST |
Mark Zuehlke wrote a 3-volume epic on the Canadians at Normandy. Lots of scenario info down to company level. |
Rich Bliss | 06 Sep 2016 5:22 a.m. PST |
"A Time for Trumpets" by MacDonald. It's still my pick for best WWII book ever written |
boy wundyr x | 06 Sep 2016 7:05 a.m. PST |
+1 to Zuehlke for the Canadians. But it's a pretty broad mandate for that level of detail and includes multiple Allied armies (American, British, Canadian, Free French, Poles at least) even if you're just looking at Normandy and after, and not 1940. Any particular time period or Ally you're looking to play with? |
miniMo | 06 Sep 2016 7:41 a.m. PST |
The entire Battle Zone Normandy series! |
Tired Mammal | 06 Sep 2016 8:51 a.m. PST |
With the Jocks by Peter White. Best book I have uncovered that shows the day to day life of a soldier in this war. Covers the final stretch in to Germany so a bit later than Overlord but full of detail like men forgetting the 2" mortar. |
uglyfatbloke | 06 Sep 2016 10:47 a.m. PST |
Another vote for 'With the Jocks'; also 'The Cauldron'…a novel, but by bloke who served at Arnhem; lots of scenario materiel. |
AlexMacP | 06 Sep 2016 1:11 p.m. PST |
I'm particularly interested in the battle for Carentan. I'm currently building a force of Fallschirmjäger. I have "The Lions of Carentan" but I'm looking for all I can find. |
Sudwind | 06 Sep 2016 6:11 p.m. PST |
Time for Trumpets, Macdonald. All works by Michael Reynolds. It Never Snows in September, Kershaw iirc? David Irving is a jerk and his conclusions suspect, but his book on Rommel, Trail of the Fox, is very good when detailing the campaigns and Rommel's role as a commander. The campaign in France (I know….1940) is a highlight. Pegasus Bridge by Ambrose. A Bridge too Far and The Longest Day, by Ryan. All the official "green" series campaign books issued by the U.S. Army are quite good. |
Simo Hayha | 06 Sep 2016 7:32 p.m. PST |
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Simo Hayha | 06 Sep 2016 7:43 p.m. PST |
if you are into carentan there isnt that much info on it. I did a lot of research and didn't find much. did not buy lions of carentan yet though. link |
christot | 06 Sep 2016 11:08 p.m. PST |
Zetterling's "Normandy 1944" amazing OB resource The 3 Ian dalglisjh books – one on Epsom, one for Goodwood and blue coat are great. Neilands book on Normandy plus the follow up nomandy to Berlin book Another vote for with the jocks. Really does explain what a miserable , frightening, dangerous job it was in the infantry. |
Blutarski | 07 Sep 2016 5:50 a.m. PST |
" I would like something to use as a sourcebook to create historical scenarios for Battlegroup Overlord games. Many of the books I have read are too strategic/operational in scale to be useful at the platoon/company level." Permit me to recommend Kenneth Macksey's "Anatomy of a Battle". It is an old book (1974), but is exactly what you are looking for. Though technically a fictionalized account of a tactical engagement in the Norman bocage, it rings through with the detail, nuance and truth of someone who had actually been there and "done the business" first-hand (Macksey served in the 79th Division under Percy Hobart). And it comes complete with maps, OB's, diagrams of command structures, and more background details than you will probably ever want to incorporate into a game, Highly recommended. B |
ScottWashburn | 07 Sep 2016 9:27 a.m. PST |
From the American perspective you can't do better than the US Army Historical Series ("The Green Books"). Lots of detailed information and great maps. |
AlexMacP | 07 Sep 2016 1:25 p.m. PST |
Lots of good choices here! Thanks everyone! |
Bunkermeister | 07 Sep 2016 2:47 p.m. PST |
The Longest Day, and Invasion They're Coming. A Bridge Too Far. Mike Bunkermeister Creek Bunker Talk blog |
saltflats1929 | 07 Sep 2016 7:29 p.m. PST |
Alamo in the Ardennes if you want to do battle of the bulge |