Breakout At Normandy The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead: Amazon.ca: Mark Bando: Books

Product Description

Author Mark Bando has interviewed more than 250 members of The 2nd Armored Division, a.k.a. Hell on Wheels-the group that broke through only to find themselves trapped in one of the most terrifying, confusing, and carnage-filled battles of World War II.

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First Sentence
The mighty Second Armored Division of World War II was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 15 July 1940, under command of General Charles L. Scott. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific grasp of detail, Mar 6 2004

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"jpn607" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breakout At Normandy The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead (Paperback)

The author demonstrates a terrific grasp of detail not often seen by other authors; the "little incidents" are recounted alongside the "big picture" and this is a very good volume dealing with these two particular formations. A format one wishes more authors would take. Some breathtaking colour photography and indepth discussion of souvenirs brought back make this one go the extra mile in drawing the reader in.

Only criticism is a lack of maps make the action extremely hard to follow. Someone should string the publisher up by his thumbnails for allowing such a fine book go to press without them.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great complement to James Jay Carafano's "After D-Day", Dec 27 2001

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Writing Historian "Mark" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breakout At Normandy The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead (Paperback)

This book is the obvious product of detailed and exhaustive research covering a little known aspect of the long neglected breakout from Normandy by VII Corps in late July 1944, e.g. Operation COBRA. I must laud Bando for tackling a subject that few authors have dared to examine. The photographs alone are worth the price of the book, however, Mark Bando has also included first hand accounts (never before published) from both German and American veterans. Additionally, he has all but solved the mystery surrounding the death of the commander of the 2nd SS Panzer Division. Bando should be read in concert with James Jay Carafano's "After D-Day" as well as the official account by Martin Blumenson "Breakout and Pursuit". What is exceptionally valuable about Bando's work is that it puts a human face on the events described in Carafano and Blumenson.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Important addition to any library of the Normandy campaign, Dec 9 2000

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Mr M Hannam (Aberdeen, Scotland United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breakout At Normandy The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead (Paperback)

From start to finish Breakout at Normandy is a solid account of the experiences of Combat Command B of the US 2nd Armoured Division during the COBRA offensive in July 1944, leading up to the cauldron for German SS armour at Roncey & St.Denis le Glast - a forshadowing of what was to come at Falaise.

Potential readers should be aware that whilst the actions of Maurice Rose`s Combat Command A are included, they are glossed over and quite frankly better handled in Martin Bluemson`s Breakout & Pursuit.

From a Combat Command B perspective, there are many personal accounts from both the Americans and Germans who slugged it out in the Normandy hedgerows and dozens of interesting b/w and colour photos which have not been published before to my knowledge.

However, the limited scope of the book, and the fact that it doesn`t include any strategic, operational or tactical maps means that it cannot be read in isolation to gain the full value of Mark Bando`s research.

Despite this handicap, General Bradley`s strategically important COBRA offensive launched at the end of July 1944, which busted open the German hold on the Normandy bridgehead has been neglected by military authors of late, so Breakout at Normandy is a welcome addition to anyone`s library.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Great story, deserves a second edition
The author covers a great story about a seldom noted battle in WWII. His research is first rate. I have 2 problems with the book. First, there are no maps at all! Read more

Published on Nov 21 2000 by tpetz@att.net

5.0 out of 5 stars It made Dad proud!
My dad is one of the WWII vets interviewed for, and pictured in, Mr. Bando's book. He called me with such excitement when he heard it had been published! Read more

Published on Nov 3 2000 by Lucille K. Keegan