Normandy 1944: German Military Organization, Combat Power and Organizational Effectiveness

by Niklas Zetterling

Overview

A revised and updated single-source reference book which accurately details the German field forces employed in Normandy in 1944

A revised and updated single-source reference book which accurately details the German field forces employed in Normandy in 1944 and their losses. Dr. Zetterling provides a sobering analysis of the subject matter and debunks a number of popular myths concerning the campaign (the effectiveness of Allied air power; the preferential treatment of Waffen-SS formations in comparison to their army counterparts; etc.). He supports his text with exhaustive footnoting and provides an organizational chart for most of the formations covered in the book. Includes numerous organizational diagrams, charts, tables and graphs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612008165
Publisher:	Casemate Publishers
Publication date:	01/10/2020
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	480
Sales rank:	1,061,905
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Niklas Zetterling is a military historian and researcher at the Swedish Defense College. His previous books include Bismarck; The Korsun Pocket; and The Drive on Moscow, 1941.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Campaign Analysis

Introduction 1

1 The Sources Available 5

2 German Terminology 11

3 German Combat Unit Organization 17

4 Number of Soldiers Employed in Normandy 27

5 The Effects of Allied Air Power 35

6 German Tanks Employed in Normandy 51

7 German Losses in Normandy 73

8 German Combat Efficiency 81

9 Movements to Normandy 93

Conclusion 97

Part 2 German Combat Formations

General Headquarters Artillery Formations 101

Miscellaneous General Headquarters Formations 129

General Headquarters Panzer Formations 149

Infanterie-Divisionen 185

Panzer-Divisionen 267

Appendices

Appendix 1 Arrival of Units in Normandy 353

Appendix 2 Unit Histories 359

Appendix 3 The Reliability of Casualty Reports 363

Appendix 4 Tooth-to-Tail Ratios 371

Appendix 5 Arrival of Panzer Units in Normandy 377

Appendix 6 Further Discussion on German Casualties 383

Appendix 7 Comments on a Few Books 385

Appendix 8 German Flak in the West 393

Editorial Reviews

"...a valuable reference for anyone seriously interested in the battle for Normandy."

The NYMAS Review

"...fills a very niche need in the historical annals of Operation Overlord. Zetterling did not attempt to rewrite the history of the engagement between the Allied and German forces. Instead he helps to paint a picture of the organizational effectiveness of the German military that the Allied forces faced."

Naval Historical Foundation

"Zetterling offers a comprehensive breakdown of German units based on numbers, numbers, and more numbers unearthed from primary documents, often cross-checked across other primary documents, post-war interviews, and the occasional secondary source."

Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"Of special note is the inclusion of numerous organizational diagrams, charts, tables and graphs..."

Midwest Book Review

"I recommend this to any history lover and especially wargamers and anyone who is thinking of developing a wargame or modifying an existing one."

A Wargamers Needful Things

"...helps to paint a picture of the organizational effectiveness of the German military that the Allied forces faced. It is highly recommended for those looking to understand the German order of battle and the role the German unit organization played in this historic campaign."

Campaigning: The Journal of the Joint Forces Staff College

"...circumstances or the greater context of the event(s) in question. Consequently, as the author states, this is a starting point for a better understanding of the Normandy campaign and a worthwhile contribution to WWII literature."

WWII and other Book Reviews

"Niklas recalculates enemy casualties, combat efficiency, and dares to confront and challenge Allied battle myths. The effort is a superb collection of just about all there’s left to know about that gigantean onslaught on June 6 and the months that followed."

Argunners

" The detail and organization of material is impressive... a well-researched and well-written book which will either enhance, refute or confirm the writings of others on the critical battle for Normandy. It should occupy a prominent place in the writings on the battle for Normandy."

ARMOR Magazine

‘’This is a revised and updated version of what was already considered an authorative reference source on German forces during the Normandy campaign. It is exhaustively researched, detailing the strengths, equipment and order of battle of all major German units. All in all, a must if you want an in-depth understanding of German strengths and weaknesses in Normandy. Excellent!’’

Despatches