D-Day: Piercing the Atlantic Wall
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Product Description
Product Description
Many books have been written about the Normandy landings, but Robert Kershaw brings a new perspective by drawing heavily on German and Allied sources little used in the standard accounts. The actual landings and the subsequent few days of battle often resolved themselves into a multitude of desperate small-scale struggles - for the next few yards of beach, to cross the next field, or to reach the next hedgerow. By looking at the battle at this level through the eyes of both Allied and German participants, the author is able to develop new insights into the successes and failures of both sides. He also shows why the battle for Normandy developed into the long and bitter struggle that has become so well known. The book features extracts from the German telephone log for Omaha Beach, bringing the landings to life. The author also analyses the failure by both sides to balance tank and infantry forces in the difficult Normandy terrain, and examines why the Allies, with local superiority in the early days, were unable to break out earlier or form a larger bridgehead.
About the Author
Robert Kershaw joined the Parachute Regiment in 1972 after graduating in History at Reading University, reaching the rank of Colonel. In between Regimental service he attended the Fuhrungsakademie - the German Staff College - at Hamburg and later spent a number of years with NATO and the Bundeswehr. He has seen active service during a number of tours of Northern Ireland, with the US VII Corps during the Gulf War and in Bosnia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have now read 3 of Robert Kershaw's books on WW2. It is clear that he is an expert in his field and his books have always been very in depth.
This book is no different. I enjoyed the way that the German view of the batle was perceived. It allows the reader to get straight to the terror of the allied invasion and the realisation that the German war machine was going to be forever changed as a result of the landings.
If there is a slight criticism, then I would say that as per most D-Day histories it tended to centre around the landings at Omaha - with good reason due to the appalling losses suffered by both sides.
Another excellent piece of history supplied by Mr Kershaw - a true genius in the field of WW2 history, I look forward to his future work.
This book is no different. I enjoyed the way that the German view of the batle was perceived. It allows the reader to get straight to the terror of the allied invasion and the realisation that the German war machine was going to be forever changed as a result of the landings.
If there is a slight criticism, then I would say that as per most D-Day histories it tended to centre around the landings at Omaha - with good reason due to the appalling losses suffered by both sides.
Another excellent piece of history supplied by Mr Kershaw - a true genius in the field of WW2 history, I look forward to his future work.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Robert Kershaw has done an exceptiona job so far of relaying history in a lively and narrative fashion. You never get the impression he is dumbing down his book (for example, Ambrose 'band of brothers' series) or recycling old hat and secondary sources.
Much like his other books - this one presents a good account of one of the pivotal events in the second world war. Although it was a forgone conclusion that the landings would have succeeded (even if Omaha had wallowed and been pulled, several other beaches were already wide open and being landed) the casualties and subsequent slowdown would have changed the map of Europe forever.
In particular I enjoyed the various perspectives, from behind the sandbags and barbed wire of german bunkers on the beach, to the dazed civilians, to the confused reactions of the german rear command - everything is captured.
This is great introduction into the events of this period - if you enjoyed this book you would also enjoy Max Hastings book on the subject as well - which pulls more facts into the account - although not as many first hand accounts.
Overall a walloping good read.
Much like his other books - this one presents a good account of one of the pivotal events in the second world war. Although it was a forgone conclusion that the landings would have succeeded (even if Omaha had wallowed and been pulled, several other beaches were already wide open and being landed) the casualties and subsequent slowdown would have changed the map of Europe forever.
In particular I enjoyed the various perspectives, from behind the sandbags and barbed wire of german bunkers on the beach, to the dazed civilians, to the confused reactions of the german rear command - everything is captured.
This is great introduction into the events of this period - if you enjoyed this book you would also enjoy Max Hastings book on the subject as well - which pulls more facts into the account - although not as many first hand accounts.
Overall a walloping good read.
Format:Paperback
In a crowded field of books on the subject, this is one of the better offerings. The author writes out of thorough research and brings reasoned evaluation of the progress of the battle from the viewpoint both of the Allied and the Axis powers. Beginning from the disastrous Operation Tiger in Lyme Bay, he leads into the familiar story of the airborne invasion and the landings on the Normandy beaches.
For the most part the focus is on the soldier on the ground, though at times we are given an overview of the strategic intentions of the allied generals and the defensive strategies of their German counterparts. Familiar as this story is, it still has the power to thrill as we see again the courage, the fear and misery experienced by the men in battle, and the triumph of the Allies' planning, intelligence and masterly deception of their opponents.
The book is well-illustrated with many contemporary photographs.
Unfortunately there are a number of spelling howlers (presumably the author's own) as well as a sprinkling of printing errors and some odd editorial inconsistencies, such as printing in full offensive swear words but blanking out milder ones. The publisher should surely be able to achieve a higher standard.
For the most part the focus is on the soldier on the ground, though at times we are given an overview of the strategic intentions of the allied generals and the defensive strategies of their German counterparts. Familiar as this story is, it still has the power to thrill as we see again the courage, the fear and misery experienced by the men in battle, and the triumph of the Allies' planning, intelligence and masterly deception of their opponents.
The book is well-illustrated with many contemporary photographs.
Unfortunately there are a number of spelling howlers (presumably the author's own) as well as a sprinkling of printing errors and some odd editorial inconsistencies, such as printing in full offensive swear words but blanking out milder ones. The publisher should surely be able to achieve a higher standard.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the best books on D-Day.
This is one of the best books on D-Day I have ever read. And I read most of them. Sharp analyses, great personal accounts and the feeling you are there. Read more
Published 19 months ago by J. Van Limpt
Best D-Day book
There are few books that come close to describing what it was like on D-day, but Kershaw is an abslolute master of his subject. Read more
Published on 22 July 2009 by Lightcavalryman
A good factual account from both sides of the conflict
This is the first account I have read regarding the D Day Landings and did plenty research of similar titles prior to purchase. Read more
Published on 15 July 2009 by B. Kerr
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