This annotated edition of General Hodges’s WWII diary offers a unique firsthand account of the First US Army from D-Day to V-E Day: “a fascinating book” (Bowling Green Daily News). During World War II, General Courtney Hicks Hodges commanded the First US Army, taking part in the Allied invasion of France, the liberation of Paris, and the ultimate Allied victory in 1945. Maintained by two of Hodges's aides, Major William C. Sylvan and Captain Francis G. Smith Jr., this military journal offers a unique firsthand account of the actions, decisions, and daily activities of General Hodges and the First Army throughout the war. The diary opens on June 2, 1944, as Hodges and the First Army prepare for the Allied invasion of France. In the weeks and months that follow, the diary highlights the crucial role that Hodges's command played in the Allied operations in northwest Europe. The diary recounts the First Army's involvement in the fight for France, the Siegfried Line campaign, the Battle of the Bulge, the drive to the Roer River, and the crossing of the Rhine, following Hodges and his men through savage European combat until the German surrender in May 1945. This historically significant text has previously been available only to military historians and researchers. Retired US Army historian John T. Greenwood has now edited the text in its entirety and added a biography of General Hodges as well as extensive contextual notes. A Choice Outstanding Academic Title Winner of the 2009 Distinguished Writing Award from the Army Historical Foundation

Two volume British record of the victorious Allied campaign in North-West Europe during World War II.

A fresh and incisive examination of one of the Second World War's crucial campaigns, the battle for Normandy in the months after D-Day. What happened to the Allied armies in Normandy in the months after D-Day, 1944? Why, after the initial success of the landings, did their advance stall a few miles inland from the beaches? Why did the British take so long to capture Caen? Why did the US infantry struggle so much in the bocage south of Omaha beach? Who was right about the conduct of the land campaign - Eisenhower or Montgomery? How did the Germans, deprived of air support, manage to hold off such a massive Allied force for more than two months? And if Enigma was allowing the Allies to read German battleplans, why did things go wrong as often as they did? THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY re-examines the demands and difficulties of the campaign and sheds new light on both with the aid of accounts from veterans on both sides. (Oral history forms a large part of the book.) It also analyses in detail the plans and performance of the commanders involved: Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, Montgomery, Crerar and, of course, Rommel. Controversial and at times catastrophic, the Battle of Normandy was the last great set-piece battle in history and is long overdue for reassessment.

By the summer of 1944, the war in Europe had reached a critical point. Both the western Allies and the Soviets possessed the initiative and forces capable of mounting strategic offensives against the German enemy. Writing a study of operations on first the Western then Eastern Front, respected military analyst C. J. Dick offers rare insight into the strengths and weaknesses of generalship on both fronts, especially the judgments, choices, and compromises made by senior commanders. At the same time, he clarifies the constraints imposed upon leadership—and upon operations—by doctrinal shortcomings, by logistics, and, not least, by the nature of coalition war. From Victory to Stalemate focuses on the Western Front, specifically American, British, and Canadian operations in France and the Low Countries. Dick's lens throughout is operational art, which links individual tactical battles to broader strategic aims. Beginning with the D-Day landings in Normandy and the strengths and weaknesses of the armies, including their military doctrines, Dick goes on to analyze the offensives launched in the high summer of 1944. He considers the strategic factors and plans that provide the context for his main concern: the Allied commanders’ handling of army, army group, and theatre offensive operations. Dick's analysis shows us an Allied command limited by thinking that is firmly rooted in the experience of small wars and the World War I. The resulting incremental approach was further complicated by a divergence in the ideas and interests of the Allied forces. The man responsible for pulling it all together, Dwight D. Eisenhower, proved remarkably capable in his role as statesman; he was to be less effective as a military technician who could govern such difficult subordinates as Bradley and Montgomery. As a result, the Allied offensive faltered and became a war of attrition, in contrast to the Soviet effort on the Eastern Front.

The Rough Guide to Brittany and Normandy Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide. Discover Brittany and Normandy with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to explore the Gardens at Giverny, hike the Côte de Granit de Rose or sample the region's delicious oysters, The Rough Guide to Brittany and Normandy will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide to Brittany and Normandy: - Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas - Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to Brittany and Normandy - Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Nantes, St-Malo and many more locations without needing to get online - Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including including Mont St Michel and Honfleur - Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of the best sights and top experiences to be found in Rennes, Rouen, the Pays d'Auge and Finistère - Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more - Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into Brittany and Normandy, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary - Covers: Seine-Maritime; The Lower Normandy Coast; Inland Normandy; The North Coast and Rennes; Finistère; Inland Brittany: The Nantes-Brest Canal; The South Coast You may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Provence & the Côte d'Azur, The Rough Guide to Dordogne & the Lot, The Rough Guide to Languedoc & Roussillon About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.

Determined to drive the Allies back to the English Channel, elements of four combat-hardened panzer divisions faced off against a single American infantry division near the town of Mortain. The Americans held their ground, enabling the Allied armies to secure the invasion and ultimately liberate France. Reardon offers a new perspective on the German defeat in Normandy.

A military intelligence expert examines the most formative battle of World War II. The Battle of Normandy was the greatest offensive campaign the world had ever seen. Millions of soldiers battling for control of Europe were thrust onto the front lines of a massive war unlike any experienced in history. But the greatest of clashes would prove to be the crucible in which the outcome of World War II would be decided. Author John Prados tells the story of how and why the tactics and battle plans of Normandy proved so formative, and reconstructs the climactic Allied Normandy breakout from both sides of the battle lines.

SS Jeremiah O'Brien. The "trip of a lifetime" story of her 5 1/2 month 18,000-mile voyage back to Normandy for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. The only ship from the great D-Day Armada to return in 1994, she was the "centerpiece" at the historic ceremonies in England & France.

In the annals of human history, few days have been as pivotal as June 6, 1944. It was on this day, amid the turmoil of World War II, that the Normandy Landings, commonly known as D-Day, unfolded. This monumental event not only marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany but also heralded a new dawn for Europe and the world at large. The bravery, sacrifice, and ingenuity displayed during the landings and the subsequent battles have become the stuff of legend, a testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of tyranny. This book aims to serve as an exhaustive resource for anyone looking to understand this landmark event in all its complexity. From the intricate planning stages, through the execution, and onto the aftermath, every aspect of D-Day will be explored. We delve into the strategic importance of the operation, the roles played by the various Allied forces, the ingenious and often audacious tactics employed, and the personal stories of courage and determination that defined the day.