An Old Man Shall Lead Them to Victory: More Real Heroes of Omaha Beach - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

If you read the first book in this trilogy, you know that it is about what transpired on 6 June 1944 on an isolated beach on the Normandy coast of France, code-named Omaha. But that is only half the story, primarily focused on the eastern half of the beach assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. They were the most experienced infantry division in the US Army, having been heavily engaged in both the African and Sicilian Campaigns. So the men of the First, already had their mettle hardened in blood.

In stark contrast, this book is about what happened on the western half of the beach that was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, a unit whose roots dated back to the American Civil War, but they were still unbloodied in World War II, having spent their entire existence in training. Training alone cannot prepare a unit for combat-only the real thing can do that, and D-Day was the 29th Division's baptism by fire, and for far too many, their last day. The foe they faced on Omaha was, if anything, more formidable than what the 1st Division faced to their east. Eight of the fourteen German strongpoints or widerstandnests were on the western half. Two of the five critical draws or shallow stream beds were on the west side of the battlefield, most importantly, the Vierville Draw (D1). Here, the German general, Rommel, built a formidable trap with a wide draw and a paved road as the bait-and the Allies took it hook, line, and sinker. A considerable amount of the American blood shed that day was there.

All could have been lost on the western half were it not for a stroke of luck. A battalion, plus two companies of Rangers, arguably the best soldiers in the world, landed almost by accident on the western half of Omaha. Here, their formidable reputation was forged and their motto-Rangers Lead the Way-was first demonstrated and so christened.

Reading all these stories will take you from the pit of despair to the euphoria of victory, but it is what happened on that fateful day, and the world was changed forever as a result.

This book also pays tribute to an unsung group of soldiers who were instrumental in the Allied success on all of Omaha Beach. These are special soldiers, with extensive special training and are a critical component of any military force. So significant were their roles on Omaha Beach that one man in four wore the distinctive castles on their collars, identifying them as Combat Engineers. Their story should also be told, for their contributions along with their sacrifices enshrine them in the halls of Valhalla like all true warriors. So this is a story about Infantry, Rangers, and Engineers. It is also a story about Brigadier General Norman "Dutch" Cota, Assistant Commander of the 29th Infantry Division. If the success of Omaha had to be attributed to one man, it would be him.

In this book, you will find a series of stories that should make you weep out of pride and awe for what these men did for us, our children, and their children in the defense of democracy and freedom for all humankind. If it does not make your chest swell with pride to be an American, then nothing will.

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