March 23, 1945. Tens of thousands of Allied troops, following on the heels of a massive artillery barrage, lunge across the Rhine River aboard amphibious craft, while even more land from the skies. Operations Plunder and Varsity aim to smash the German forces determined to stop this crossing, which will unleash a breakout into the heartland of Germany and the Netherlands and likely bring a rapid end to the war.
On the left flank of Plunder, First Canadian Army thrusts into the westernmost corner of Germany and advances into the Netherlands to free the Dutch people from a tyrannical Nazi occupation. In much of the Netherlands, the population is on the brink of starvation, a disastrous humanitarian crisis imminenet.
During the next forty-eight days, Canadian troops face some of their toughest fighting. Repeatedly, in such towns as Bienan, Speldrop, Zutphen, and Deventer, and in the major Dutch city of Groningen, they are embroiled in costly large-scale street fighting. And on the other side of each canal or river---whose dykes provide ideal defences---the Germans wait calmly for the attack. Each day the casualties mount, while the tension of a war nearly over increases. Will the last man to fall today be the war's final casualty?
"With his signature style of veteran accounts artfully interlaced with the official record, Zuehlke's skill in writing battle narrative remains unsurpassed." Quill & Quire
For the Millions of Dutch Facing imminent starvation, the period of their liberation, March 23 to May 5, 1945, was "the sweetest of springs." But for the Canadians fighting a series of fierce, desperate battles in these last months of the war, it was bittersweet. A nation's freedom was being won and the war concluded, but these final hostilities cost First Canadian Army 6,289 casualties, of which 1,481 were fatal.
These numbers could have been far higher had it not been for one of the war's most highly guarded secrets---a clandestine agreement with German command in the Netherlands to allow the Allies to deliver food to the people in western Holland, where the country's largest cities were situated, in exchange for a ceasefire in that area. Food supplies were virtually exhausted, and the Germans had threatened to open the dykes and flood the entire region if they were attacked. Only skillful negotiation with these German leaders prevented a catastrophe.
But on other fronts, the Canadians continued the grim fight to liberate the rest of Holland and to drive into northern Germany as part of the Allied push to end the war.
With his trademark "you are there" style that draws upon official records, veteran memories, and a keen understanding of the combat experience, Mark Zuehlke brings to life this final chapter in the story of Canada in World War II, in time for the 65th anniversary of Holland's liberation by Canadian troops.
Le informazioni nella sezione "Riassunto" possono far riferimento a edizioni diverse di questo titolo.
Mark Zuehlke's Canadian Battle Series, of which this is the eighth volume, is the most extensive account written of the combat experiences of Canada's army in World War II. These best-selling books continue to confirm Zuehlke's reputation as the nation's leading writer of popular military history. In combination with 2007's Terrible Victory, On to Victory presents the most comprehensive English-language account of Holland's liberation from German occupation. Zuehlke is currently at work on his next book in the series.
Zuehlke's five other historical works include for Honour's Sake: The War of 1812 and the Brokering of an Uneasy Peace, which won the 2007 Canadian Authors Association Lela Common Award for Canadian History. Also a novelist, he is the author of the popular Elias McCann crime series. The first book in the series, Hands Like Clouds, won the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel in 2000.
Zuehlke lives in Victoria, B.C., and can be found on the web at www.zuehlke.ca.
Le informazioni nella sezione "Su questo libro" possono far riferimento a edizioni diverse di questo titolo.
Spese di spedizione:
GRATIS
In U.S.A.
Spese di spedizione:
EUR 2,68
In U.S.A.
Da: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condizione: Good. 1st. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Codice articolo 10735724-6
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condizione: Very Good. 1st. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Codice articolo 13232298-6
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condizione: Good. Item in good condition and has highlighting/writing on text. Used texts may not contain supplemental items such as CDs, info-trac etc. Codice articolo 00029522028
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condizione: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Codice articolo 26-1553654307-G
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, Regno Unito
Condizione: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Codice articolo wbs3363056495
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Campbell Bookstore, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Condizione: very good. Codice articolo UsedCamp1553654307
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Greener Books, London, Regno Unito
Hardcover. Condizione: Used; Very Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Codice articolo 4526881
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Big Bill's Books, Wimberley, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condizione: new. Brand New Copy. Codice articolo BBB_new1553654307
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condizione: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. 2.25. Codice articolo 353-1553654307-gdd
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condizione: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 2.25. Codice articolo 1553654307-2-3
Quantità: 1 disponibili