Fighting the Invasion: The German Army at D-Day
In one of history’s most violent battles, Allied troops gathered along the shores of southern England, preparing for the invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe. Facing them—from the Pas de Calais to Brittany—were German troops, dug in, waiting and preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

History is often told from the perspective of the victors and oftentimes we do not hear the other side of the story. In this unique compilation, David Isby selects a series of in-depth accounts written by German commanders present at D-Day.

All of these accounts were written after the war under the commission of the US Army in an attempt to intricately chart the development of German strategy in the event of future wars and invasions.

These once private accounts detail everything from the planning stage of the invasion, to the uncertain waiting, and finally to the ordeal of D-Day itself—the reactions to the first reports of troop landings and a blow-by-blow account of the battle. Fighting the Invasion paints a vivid picture of D-Day from the German perspective, bringing home the entire experience from the initial waiting to the bitter fighting on the beaches and in running battles in Normandy villages.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history—books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
1122378272
Fighting the Invasion: The German Army at D-Day
In one of history’s most violent battles, Allied troops gathered along the shores of southern England, preparing for the invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe. Facing them—from the Pas de Calais to Brittany—were German troops, dug in, waiting and preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

History is often told from the perspective of the victors and oftentimes we do not hear the other side of the story. In this unique compilation, David Isby selects a series of in-depth accounts written by German commanders present at D-Day.

All of these accounts were written after the war under the commission of the US Army in an attempt to intricately chart the development of German strategy in the event of future wars and invasions.

These once private accounts detail everything from the planning stage of the invasion, to the uncertain waiting, and finally to the ordeal of D-Day itself—the reactions to the first reports of troop landings and a blow-by-blow account of the battle. Fighting the Invasion paints a vivid picture of D-Day from the German perspective, bringing home the entire experience from the initial waiting to the bitter fighting on the beaches and in running battles in Normandy villages.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history—books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
14.99 In Stock
Fighting the Invasion: The German Army at D-Day

Fighting the Invasion: The German Army at D-Day

Fighting the Invasion: The German Army at D-Day

Fighting the Invasion: The German Army at D-Day

Paperback

$14.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

In one of history’s most violent battles, Allied troops gathered along the shores of southern England, preparing for the invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe. Facing them—from the Pas de Calais to Brittany—were German troops, dug in, waiting and preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

History is often told from the perspective of the victors and oftentimes we do not hear the other side of the story. In this unique compilation, David Isby selects a series of in-depth accounts written by German commanders present at D-Day.

All of these accounts were written after the war under the commission of the US Army in an attempt to intricately chart the development of German strategy in the event of future wars and invasions.

These once private accounts detail everything from the planning stage of the invasion, to the uncertain waiting, and finally to the ordeal of D-Day itself—the reactions to the first reports of troop landings and a blow-by-blow account of the battle. Fighting the Invasion paints a vivid picture of D-Day from the German perspective, bringing home the entire experience from the initial waiting to the bitter fighting on the beaches and in running battles in Normandy villages.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history—books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781510703575
Publisher: Skyhorse
Publication date: 03/08/2016
Pages: 260
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

David C. Isby is the author or editor of more than twenty books and 350 essays and articles in publications including International Defense Review, USA Today, and the Washington Times. He has testified before both House and Senate committees as an independent expert. He resides in Washington, DC.

Robert Kershaw served actively in Bosnia and the first Gulf War, where he was awarded the US Bronze Star. He is the author of ten books on military history, including A Street in Arnhem and D-Day: Piercing the Atlantic Wall. He lives in Salisbury, England.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations iv

Contributors to this Volume: Positions Held on D-Day vi

Foreword vii

Editor's Introduction xi

Glossary xiv

Part 1 Preparation: Commands and Commanders 17

Report of the Chief of Staff by General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt (B-283) 19

Preparations Against the Invasion by Generalmajor Rudolf Freiherr von Gersdorff (B-122) 31

Ideas and Views of Genfldm Rommel, Commander of Army Group B, on Defense and Operations in the West in 1944 Generalkutnant Hans Speidel (B-720) 37

Von Rundstedt and Rommel General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt (B-344) 47

Seventh Army, June 1942-6 June 1944: Report of the Chief of Staff Generallutnant Max Pemsel (B-234) 51

Preparations by Panzer Gruppe West Against Invasion (mid-1943-5 June 1944) General der Panzertruppen Leo Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg (B4-66) 72

The Invasion Generalfeldmarshall Wilhelm Keitel Generaloberst Alfred Jodl (ETHINT 49) 81

The Invasion and the German Navy Grossadmiral Karl Dönitz Konteradmiral Gerhard Wagner (ETHINT 28) 85

The Invasion by General Walter Warlimont (ETHINT 1) 88

Part 2 Preparation: Organizing and Deploying the Units 93

Panzer-Type Divisions (Western Front) General der Panzertruppen Leo Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg (B-466) 95

Background: The 709th Infantry Division by Generalleutnant Karl Wilhettn von Schlieben (B-845) 98

Coast Artillery Sector Cotentin Generatmajor Gerhard Triepel (B-260) 109

Preliminary Report on the 243rd Infantry Division on the Cotentin Peninsula Hauptmann Herbert School (B-845) 111

History of the 21st Panzer Division from the Time of Its Formation until the Beginning of the Invasion Generalleutuant Edgar Fenchtinger (B-441) 114

The 352nd Infantry Division Oberstleutnant Fritz Ziegelmann (B-432) 122

Employment of the 711th Infantry Division on the Invasion Front: Preparation Generalleulant Joseph Reichert (B-403) 145

The 346th Infantry Division to 4 June 1944 Oberst Paul Frank (B-008) 151

Organization of the 6th Fallschirm Regiment by Oberstleutnant Friedrich Freiberr von der Heydte (B-839) 153

The 2nd Panzer Division: Preparation General der Panzertruppen Heinrich Freiberr von Luttwitz (B-257) 159

Organization of the 3rd Fallschirm Division by Generalleutnant Richard Schimpf (B-541) 161

Ill Flak Corps General der Flakartillerie Wolfgang Pickert (B-597) 164

Part 3 D-Day: Invasion 167

OKW War Diary: 6 June 1944 Major Percy E. Schramm (B-034) 160

OB West on D-Day General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt (B-283) 171

The Beginning of the Invasion and the 346th Infantry Division Oberst Paul Frank (B-008) 175

The 711th Infantry Division and the Airborne Invasion Generalleutnant Joseph Reichert (B-403) 177

Commitment of the 1058th infantry Regiment and AOK Assault Battalion 7 Oberstleutnant Gunther Keil (li-844) 180

LXXXIV Corps on D-Day: The Landing Battles Oberstleutnant Friedrich von Criegern (B-784) 185

6 June: Cotentin Coast Artillery Generadmajor Gerhard Triepel (B-260) 187

The Invasion: The 709th Infantry Division Generalleutnant Karl Wilhelm von Schlieben (B-845) 189

The Invasion: The 352nd Infantry Division Oberstleutnant Frit Ziegelmann (B-432) 192

The 21st Panzer Division on 6 June 1944 Generaleutnant Edgar Feuchtinger (B-441) 221

The 711th Infantry Division Encounters the Invasion Generalleutnant Joseph Reichert (B-403) 223

The Allied Attack: The 6th Fallschirm Regiment Reacts Oberstleutnant Friedrich Freiherr von der Heydte (B-839) 225

Invasion by General der Panzertruppen Leo Freiherr Geyr von Schveppenburg (BA66) 230

Part 4 D-Day: Counterattack 231

LXXXIV Corps Counterattacks with Local Reserves on the Afternoon of D-Day Oberstleutnant Friedrich von Criegern (B-784) 233

The 21st Panzer Division's Situation (6 June 1944) General der Panzertruppen Eeo Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg (B-466) 236

Counterattack of the 21st Panzer Division Generalleutnant Edgar Feuchtinger (B-441) 239

I SS Panzer Corps Moves Up to Counterattack, 6 June 1944 Generalmajor Fritz Krämer (C-024) 242

The 711th Infantry Division Prepares for a Counterattack Generalleutnant Joseph Reichert (B-403) 247

Reaction to the Invasion Oberstleutnant Günther Keil (B-844) 248

The 2nd Panzer Division: Told to Hold in Place General der Panzertruppen Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz (B-257) 249

III Flak Corps: Orders for the Initial Commitment in Normandy General der Flakartillerie Wolfgang Pickert (B-597) 250

Index 251

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews