James Holland on Normandy ‘44: D-Day & the Battle for France

Unflinchingly examining the brutality and violence that characterised the campaign, it's time to draw some radically different conclusions.

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D-Day and the 76 days of bitter fighting in Normandy that followed have come to be seen as a defining episode in the Second World War. Its story has been endlessly retold, and yet it remains a narrative burdened by both myth and assumed knowledge.

In this reexamined history, James Holland presents a broader overview, one that challenges much of what we think we know about D-Day and the Normandy campaign. The sheer size and scale of the Allies’ war machine ultimately dominates the strategic, operational and tactical limitations of the German forces.

This was a brutal campaign. In terms of daily casualties, the numbers were worse than for any one battle during the First World War.

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·Drawing on unseen archives and testimonies from around the world

·Introducing a cast of eye-witnesses that includes foot soldiers, tank men, fighter pilots and bomber crews, sailors, civilians, resistance fighters and those directing the action

·An epic telling that will profoundly recalibrate our understanding of its true place in the tide of human history

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[willtijerina]

Currently my favorite WWII historian hands down. Always fascinating to listen to as well as read.

[davidcolman]

Just finished reading Normandy '44. Outstanding. I have a much better understanding of the Normandy Battles. A must read for anyone who is interested!

[californiadreamin]

My Dad was a stretcher bearer in France, Dunkirk, North Africa, Salerno, Anzio, and the Gothic Line to Trieste. I slowly realised as I grew up, how lucky I was, and how lucky and smart my father was. Reading comics I never understood how D-Day and Normandy succeeded against the mighty German Army with their mighty Tigers etc…. James Holland cleverly omits mentioning Montgomery, to avoid the vitriol which still today colours most discourse about Normandy in particular. The throw away line by the character played by Ted Dansen in Saving Private Ryan….yes it’s St Patricks Day, and my Dad played football for Portrack Shamrocks ….denigrating Montgomery, is typical of the controversy. I recommend that anyone seriously interested in Normandy reads every book possible, appreciating that while early books often contain personal first hand accounts, the later books tend to present more objectivity, but not all !!

And yes, I’ve been to Normandy….by motorbike 😊…and camped at Arromanches……. and stumbled upon Crépon where the only VC was awarded on 6th June…….. A visit to Normandie is a must.

[wiggles]

Whoo! A non-Canadian historian who didn't airbrush the Canadian Army out of WW2, Thanks James!

[chriscarr]

Both of my late parents were in the British Army during WW2, my father serving abroad in tanks. I find James's books are absolutely superb with excellent detail, often from both viewpoints.

[thomashoney]

James, I must say that you are a brilliant military historian. I have been reading books that you have written since I was 15. I must say that I am looking forward to reading more great books. Keep up the good work.

[BanjoLuke]

Very interesting. And quite right.
You do not mention, however, field artillery. A key element of the Normandy campaign (and right through to the Reich) was field gunnery. A decision was made well in advance of the landings that massive (and it was massive) support from field artillery would reduce losses significantly. From as early as 1941 the UK was scattered with regiments of Field Artillery (QF 25 Pdr) being held back and trained for the advent of the Second Front. The logistical requirements werw great, but the ability to push the foe back, effectively and from a distance, was exactly as foreseen.
You are right to focus on infantry and tanks, but do not overlook the immense increase in artillery numbers (particularly field regiments).

[gustavderkits]

This is an excellent analysis of a major issue in WWII and other history. I’ve spent years analyzing technology and learned about the rule of piece part counts. Everything in logistics scales combinatorially with parts count. E.g. waiting time for the key part you can’t get. In database this is called, “the parts explosion”. German armies WWII especially, were afflicted with parts count problems, including the number of types of trucks, but extending down into the build of tanks and guns. They optimized performance at a unit level to narrowly-defined criteria. I’m glad they did.

[Idahoguy]

When a Sherman tank crew encountered a German Panther, it wasn’t one Sherman. Shermans came in groups of fives. The tank commander’s boss is on the radio. Calling in fighter-bombers and artillery onto the Germans.

[jurgen]

I purchased this book during the last lockdown . I was interested to see how James Holland approached the Normandie campaign and compare with other books written by other historians and veterans etc. .
I did enjoy this book and James Holland has gone to great effort to research this important part of the European theatre of WWII .
I did however feel that his attitude towards the German role was dismissive and showed more biaised opinion .
I had the pleasure of meeting a number of veterans of both UK/Canadian and German tank/Panzer crews and one thing that stood out was that the Germans had a lot more confidence in their equipment as opposed to the UK/Can. had in theirs. Though the German vets' complained about the non existence of the Luftwaffe and of strained necks of constantly sky watching for the dreaded Jabos.
As a former member of the British Army (Household Division) I have to admire the fighting ability of certain elements of the German Army in particular their ability to defend and reorganise under extreme pressure from the Allies. And to show balance I admire how the British in particular were able to deploy the intelligence and counter intelligence which ultimately gave the Allies the upper hand in eventual victory.

[cashstore]

I actually use to go fishing with a guy that was in the first wave of D-Day. He said he lost his friends that day. He really did not like talking about it. He was also in the battle of the bulge. Been dead for about 12 years now. Nice guy with a lot of bad memories.

[johnkoundouzis]

Hi James.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the reading pleasure you have provided. Your writing style is fantastic and keeps the reader wanting more. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to reading more of your work.

[aaronseet]

"Soldiers got enough cups of tea."

He's British alright.

[Chris-umse]

Holland is BEYOND BRILLIANT.
Riveting narration and damn
Fascinating insights with facts

[hughbo]

Thank you so much for understanding what seemingly so few military commanders grasped, my best soldier with his empty rifle will fall to the weakest enemy with his full slingshot.
It is my estimation that had the French and British realized that as Germany dashed across Belgium, there objective should have been to avoid the head on clash, for which they were surely inferior, but make it to their rear and cut off their operational ability to "reload" - destroy the supply lines.
Kudos to your post. Excellent job. May our hearts, minds and memories forever be with those that saved freedom - then and now.

[paulgill]

The way you explain things is EXCELLENT thanks you for hours of EXCELLENT documentarys, ❤❤😮😮😮I'm 52 and still learning thanks, PAUL GREETINGS FROM THE ISLE OF MAN 😊😊.

[robsmithadventures]

James writes in a clear and accessible style. I think he's done a great job of bringing WWII history to the general public.

[infledermaus]

I've watched several of your videos, but I am going to have to read your books. You're my favorite WWII historian.

You talk about talk about support services. I think that anyone interested in WWII history knows about the Red Ball Express humping fuel and supplies nonstop. One example of noncombatant support. 😊

My father joined the US Army in 1942. He'd been in an exempt job with an aircraft manufacturer, but he is as a hot head and wanted in on the action. He went through OCS at age 28 and earned his commission, then went to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to train as a tank commander. Afterwards he was sent to Yuma, Arizona, to help Patton train his tank troops. He's gone from us now and I can't ask him. I don't know what he did in tye army after that, but got out after the war only to join the USAAF in 1946 or 1947 where he served until 1962 when he retired. He'd served 3 years in the Navy, X years in the Army and X more years in the Air Force totalling 23 years in total.

[wellingtonsboots]

This just came up in my recommendations. My father was always proud of his war service and D day was something that he always reminded us about, but it was always big picture, never his own personal experience. It was only at his funeral when we learned a bit more. Must read this book thank you.

[alexcurtas]

Love him. Reading this right now as I prep for going to Normandy later this summer. It's a wonderful read.