The Day of the Panzer: A Story of American Heroism and Sacrifice in Southern France: A Story of American Heroism and Sacrifice in Southern France, 1944 - Rilegato

Danby, Jeff

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 193203370X ISBN 13: 9781932033700

Casa editrice: Casemate Pub & Book Dist Llc, 2008

Riassunto

This is a rarely detailed "you are there" account of World War II combat, describing a brief but bloody tank/infantry action in August 1944. Based on six years of research—drawing from interviews, primary documents, and visits to the battlefield—”The Day of the Panzer” transports the reader into the ranks of L Company, 15th Regiment, Third Infantry Division, and its supporting M4s of the 756th Tank Battalion as they grapple head-on with the Wehrmacht. L Company was nearly wiped out during the bloody Anzio breakout of May 1944. Under the fiery leadership of Captain James “Red” Coles, the unit was rebuilt and molded into a tough, colorful bunch in preparation for “Operation Dragoon.” On August 15, 1944, they hit the beaches in southern France, joined by the tank crews of 2nd Lt. Andrew Orient's 3rd Platoon, all veterans of Cassino. After overcoming pockets of resistance along the coast, the tanks and infantry swept inland, nipping at the heels of the retreating German Nineteenth Army. A sudden German artillery salvo dispatched six L Company men and left Lt. Orient dead. 1st Lt. Edgar Danby, an armor instructor (the author's grandfather), was flown in from Italy to replace him. Despite logistics problems, the Third Division forged north through the Rhône River valley until they found the Germans holding fast, L Company and its supporting tanks leading the regimental charge. In the haste and chaos of the day, they managed to slip the German rearguard and unwittingly attacked the German LXXXV Armeekorps headquarters in the small town of Allan. Both sides were shocked by the ferocity of the battle. Led by a rampaging Panther tank, the Germans counterattacked, knocking out the Sherman of Lt. Danby while threatening to cut L Company's positions in half. Surrounded and facing annihilation—but steeled by the courageous leadership of Captain Coles and others—L Company held fast despite dead and wounded on all sides and 13 men captured. The seemingly unstoppable Panther, stalking the battlefield like some black knight from a Teutonic fantasy, continued to hold off American reinforcements in the morning, until the Armeekorps headquarters executed a withdrawal. In this book, the minute-by-minute confusion, thrill and desperation of WWII combat is placed under a microscope, as if the reader himself were a participant. In this small but singular battle, the courage of US troops in their liberation of France is given full due.

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Recensione

The book will give the reader a very good insight into the operations, planning, logistics and execution of an under sold chapter of World War II...a highly recommended read and source of reference. --Military Modelcraft International. 07/2009

... a very creditable book has emerged filling a gap in our knowledge. The author is to be congratulated on his blending together of unit history with biography, veteran s anecdotes and the confusion of battle. --Windscreen, Winter 2008.

A must read book for anyone interested in smalll unit actions and anyone wanting to know more the little publicised or written about invasion of Southern France. --Raider, 03/2009

This is a rarely detailed you-are-there account of World War II combat, describing a brief but bloody tank/infantry action in August 1944...transports the reader into the ranks of L Company, 15th Regiment, Third Infantry Division, and its supporting M4s of the 756th Tank Battalion as they grapple head-on with the Wehrmacht. --Scale Military Modeller International

An excellent book...thoroughly recommended --Tank

Product Description

Day of the Panzer transports the reader into the ranks of L Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division, and its supporting M-4s of the 756th Tank Battalion during World War II. On August 12, 1944, L Company hit the beaches in southern France unsure of what to expect. After overcoming pockets of resistance along the coast, the tanks and infantry swept westward toward Marseille, nipping at the heels of the retreating German Nineteenth Army. Despite blistered feet and fuel shortages, the Third Division raced north through the Rhone River valley and finally engaged the Nineteenth Army at Montelimar. L Company and its supporting tanks once again led the Regimental charge. In the haste and chaos of the day, they managed to slip the German rearguard and unwittingly attacked the German LXXXV Armeekorps headquarters in the small town of Allan. Both sides were shocked by the ferocity of the battle. Led by a rampaging Panther tank, the Germans counterattacked, and threatened to cut L Company's positions in half. Surrounded and facing annihilation, the Company held fast until reinforcements arrived the next morning. Day of the Panzer conveys the minute-by-minute excitement, confusion and desperation of combat. This book is based on six years of research, drawing from primary documents, dozens of interviews with combatants and eyewitnesses, and visits to the battlefield.

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• Editore: Casemate Pub & Book Dist Llc
• Data di pubblicazione: 2008
• ISBN 10: 193203370X
• ISBN 13: 9781932033700
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 365