| Tired Mammal | 24 Aug 2017 8:51 a.m. PST |
I have just finished "Monty's Men" by Buckley and Hill 112 by Tim Saunders also the 2 "D-day through German eyes" books and can recommend all of them but can someone guide me to some books on the US actions at this time.
There seems plenty on info on the actual landings, airborne landings or on the Cobra breakout but I have found not much in between.
Even Wiki seems to have little detail beyond a steady advance with large casualties.
I have read "death traps" but I have heard that that is a slightly "individual" view. Ideally any books on kindle at 99p will be great though I could stretch to paying real money if it is really good. |
| Andy ONeill | 24 Aug 2017 9:07 a.m. PST |
Have you seen this page:
link Personally, I think the D-day through german eyes books are works of fiction. |
| Ed von HesseFedora | 24 Aug 2017 9:30 a.m. PST |
It's not the most modern, but if cost is a concern read the following free pdfs from the US Army: Cross Channel Attack
link Breakout and Pursuit
link There are also shorter summary pdfs at: link |
| Dynaman8789 | 24 Aug 2017 10:20 a.m. PST |
It's 9.99 in the US, don't know about the UK but Joseph Balkoski's books on the 29th division are very good. This one covers after Dday in Normandy. link |
| saltflats1929 | 24 Aug 2017 10:21 a.m. PST |
Beyond the Beachead link
Edit: dynaman beat me to it!
|
| MajorB | 24 Aug 2017 10:40 a.m. PST |
John Keegan's "Six Armies in Normandy" has a lengthy chapter on the US 101st Division. |
| Major Mike | 24 Aug 2017 10:55 a.m. PST |
There are the US Army Green books link |
| Major Mike | 24 Aug 2017 11:00 a.m. PST |
For a few personal accounts you could look at The Drop Zone link It has some interesting personal recollections of events to include Normandy. I found the one from the Pacific eye opening. |
| Tachikoma | 24 Aug 2017 11:32 a.m. PST |
The Clay Pigeons of St. Lo is pretty good. |
Ed Mohrmann  | 24 Aug 2017 5:48 p.m. PST |
Second the recommendation on Balkoski. |
| Tired Mammal | 25 Aug 2017 5:06 a.m. PST |
All interesting stuff and I have downloaded one of the green books and the sample from Balkoski. I have in-laws in the States so may ask for that for Christmas or more likely use its purchase to escape to a bookshop for an afternoon next time I am over.
Andy, I agree to an extent about dday through German eyes. I suspect that there is some truth amongst a lot of carefully selective memory and vol2 certainly seemed more artificial. There is the feeling that he has written what he thinks the reader wants to hear. The comments about the overwhelming Allied mechanization and lack of horses did ring true though when reported by defenders who had only known the war and fuel shortages for their adult life. At worst it is a good starting point to dig into other sources to try and confirm the details. Though as game scenarios far too one sided. I was just surprised that there is much more on the Commonwealth actions in June and July than the American as the casualties inflicted show neither had it easy. |
| PeterH | 25 Aug 2017 7:39 a.m. PST |
If You Survive by George Wilson is excellent and does not get much talk. I also enjoyed Dick Stodghill's "A young rifleman's war." Ironically, both men were from the 4th Division |
ScottWashburn  | 25 Aug 2017 4:10 p.m. PST |
Yes, the Green Books by all means. They are the BEST source available for what the US was doing in Normandy. Cross Channel Attack and Breakout and Pursuit are great reads as well as chock full of information from both sides. I can't recommend them highly enough. In fact all the Green Books are amazingly good. |
| jowady | 26 Aug 2017 2:09 p.m. PST |
In addition this is a very good read; link |
| Haitiansoldier | 30 Aug 2017 12:44 p.m. PST |
After D-Day on Operation Cobra is quite good. John McManus has written a book on all the battles in Normandy that involved U.S. forces that is a must read if you are interested. |
