Normandiefront, Vince Milano
Normandiefront, Vince Milano
5 Rating(s)
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

Normandiefront
D-Day to Saint-Lô Through German Eyes

Author: Vince Milano, Bruce Conner

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Unabridged: 11 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/23/2021


Synopsis

Based on firsthand testimony, this is the story of how one German division changed the course of the invasion, and almost the war, featuring previously unpublished photographs from participants.

In the cold morning of June 6, 1944, thousands of German soldiers were in position from Port en Bessin eastward past Colleville on the Normandy coast, aware that a massive invasion force was heading straight for them, although according to Allied Intelligence, they shouldn't have been there. The presence of 352 Division meant that the number of defenders was literally double the number expected—and on the best fortified of all the invasion beaches. This infantry division would ensure the invaders would pay a massive price to take Omaha Beach. There were veterans from the Russian front among them and they were well trained and equipped. What makes this account of the bloody struggle unique is that it is told from the German standpoint, using firsthand testimony of German combatants. There are not many of them still alive and these accounts have been painstakingly collected by the authors over many years . . .

About Vince Milano

Vince Milano is a former US infantryman and the author of The German Army Order of Battle 1918 and many articles for military magazines such as Combat and Living History. He interviewed combatants in Germany for this book. He lives in Epping, New Hampshire.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Boudewijn on March 15, 2023

Solid description of the battle that the grenadiers of the German 352nd Infantry Division fought against the soldiers of the American 29th division who landed on Omaha beach. Heavily relying on eye witness accounts, you get a good grip on how the Germans perceived the fighting and their experiences.......more

Goodreads review by Paul on April 26, 2021

This was not what I expected. I was drawn into it by misreading the blurb and thinking I was going to read an account of the Normandy landings seen from the perspective of the German troops, and the focus would be on their suffering and their feelings about the war and their defeat. Instead it was,......more

Goodreads review by Charles m smith jr on December 23, 2020

Sit down and enjoy yourself for this is awesome. Being on the other side on June 6th 1944. First hand account and reaction to one of the great battles in the world. First hand use from those who live to tell thier story......more

Goodreads review by Nathan on April 16, 2021

Over the years I've read a few German unit histories of WWII including The Lions of Carentan (6th FJR), From Normandy to the Ruhr (116th Pz Div)and Victory was Beyond Their Grasp (272nd VGD Div) and have appreciated reading history from the other side. Something Normandiefront brought that was a lit......more

Goodreads review by Kate on September 23, 2022

Excellent account of D-Day plus 43 I really enjoyed this account of D-day plus 43, from the German perspective. It is honest, accurate and well-written. Many books about D-day focus on the Allied heros that braved the invasion. This book reveals that the German army ran out of ammunition at Normandy......more