A review by haha4456
D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Battle for the Normandy Beaches by Stephen E. Ambrose
5.0
This book is a factual account of the greatest large scale operation that took place during World War II in which the Allied nations (The United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Free France) launched a massive seaborne and airborne assault on the 6th of June 1944 to liberate France from Nazi fanaticism. Codenamed Operation Overlord, it was probably the most prominent war operation that took place in the 20th Century. The success of which would bring about peace and democracy for the future generations to come.
The planning phase for the invasion took almost two years. This operation was a direct answer to Joseph Stalin’s pleads to open a second front in the European theatre. The Red army has been fighting the Germans for many years in the Eastern front which resulted in a horrifying bloodshed on both sides. In order for the war to be won, a second front must be opened to stretch the capacity of the Germans to its limit.
This book not only describes the bravery of the men on the frontline but also of those at home. The widely agreed miracle was the capability of the war production industry to churn out thousands and thousands of sea transportation (Landing crafts of different mediums) to allow for the crossing and landing of 175, 000 men, 54,000 vehicles on a single day. The invasion would not have been successful without the efforts of the workers who toiled to build the crafts for the war.
This book also gives readers an analytical review on the decisions made by the leadership of both sides which ultimately contributed greatly to the outcome of the war. From the humble, confident and optimistic General Dwight Eisenhower to the professional and dutiful Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, both were great leaders who lead men into battles by example. However both had different set of resources when planning for the battle. Eisenhower had every unit regardless of country under the direct command of him, a privilege which Rommel did not have. Hitler, who did not trust anybody, even his own subordinates, had a complex command structure that prevented Rommel from having all the units under his command, especially the elite Panzer divisions which were under the command of Hitler directly. Megalomaniac Hitler had a mentality of conquering more than he can defend. He insisted that the entire coast of continental Europe and the Scandinavia to be defended with men and fortifications. This led to the downfall of German Wehrmacht (German Armed Forces) and Nazis as their army is too thin to be stretched along the long strip of coast.
Stephen Ambrose draws from hundreds of oral interviews of veterans and civilians that were involved on D-Day (The day in which the invasion of France commenced). Stephen Ambrose makes things interesting and makes readers feel as if they are transported back in time to witness the gallantry and bravery of men involved in the gruesome fight for freedom. From the initial planning phase in which two capable Generals get ready to outwit and outplay each other on strategy, deceit and even luck to a microcosm level of an infantryman paralyzed with fear on his first combat experience, Ambrose has brought the emotions, actions and the grim reality of war to the readers. This book pays tribute to the countless sacrifices made by brave young men to pave the way for a free world.
The planning phase for the invasion took almost two years. This operation was a direct answer to Joseph Stalin’s pleads to open a second front in the European theatre. The Red army has been fighting the Germans for many years in the Eastern front which resulted in a horrifying bloodshed on both sides. In order for the war to be won, a second front must be opened to stretch the capacity of the Germans to its limit.
This book not only describes the bravery of the men on the frontline but also of those at home. The widely agreed miracle was the capability of the war production industry to churn out thousands and thousands of sea transportation (Landing crafts of different mediums) to allow for the crossing and landing of 175, 000 men, 54,000 vehicles on a single day. The invasion would not have been successful without the efforts of the workers who toiled to build the crafts for the war.
This book also gives readers an analytical review on the decisions made by the leadership of both sides which ultimately contributed greatly to the outcome of the war. From the humble, confident and optimistic General Dwight Eisenhower to the professional and dutiful Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, both were great leaders who lead men into battles by example. However both had different set of resources when planning for the battle. Eisenhower had every unit regardless of country under the direct command of him, a privilege which Rommel did not have. Hitler, who did not trust anybody, even his own subordinates, had a complex command structure that prevented Rommel from having all the units under his command, especially the elite Panzer divisions which were under the command of Hitler directly. Megalomaniac Hitler had a mentality of conquering more than he can defend. He insisted that the entire coast of continental Europe and the Scandinavia to be defended with men and fortifications. This led to the downfall of German Wehrmacht (German Armed Forces) and Nazis as their army is too thin to be stretched along the long strip of coast.
Stephen Ambrose draws from hundreds of oral interviews of veterans and civilians that were involved on D-Day (The day in which the invasion of France commenced). Stephen Ambrose makes things interesting and makes readers feel as if they are transported back in time to witness the gallantry and bravery of men involved in the gruesome fight for freedom. From the initial planning phase in which two capable Generals get ready to outwit and outplay each other on strategy, deceit and even luck to a microcosm level of an infantryman paralyzed with fear on his first combat experience, Ambrose has brought the emotions, actions and the grim reality of war to the readers. This book pays tribute to the countless sacrifices made by brave young men to pave the way for a free world.