"We've come all this way for nothing" says one of the Rangers in a famous scene from 'The Longest Day' film.
But how much of that part of the film actually true?
Immensely researched, the author has written a comprehensive account of the build-up to, & the attack on the guns at Pointe-Du-Hoc on D-Day.
With plenty of useful maps & diagrams the book explains the history of how the Germans built & installed these defensive positions on the Normandy cliff, & how the Allies planned to destroy them in the weeks leading up to the invasion.
How the Rangers, based on the British Commandos, was founded & their training methods for their assault on the 6th June, are also fully explained.
On to the attack itself, & what then happened during the following hours, is very detailed, & clearly reveals the immense research undertaken to be able to narrate the events, as they happened.
This book will not only explain what happened when, but why the guns were not in position as the Rangers expected.
This is a highly detailed, but very readable book, that will prove to be a worthy addition to both historians & readers alike. Highly recommended.
Available from Osprey Publishing, who I must thank for this review copy.
Will have a look at this one chap. My GF's CO from No.1 Army Commando,Lt.Col Tom Trevor, was with the Rangers on D-Day as a Combined Operations liason officer. He was wounded on the beach below trying to avoid German snipers. There's a famous photo of him with his headed bandaged & @OspreyBooks done a drawing too.