2007-05-02 From Landsers to Panzers

As a professional battlefield Guide I am always searching for information on the German `enemy' as too often history (as ever) is told by the victors. This is a very good addition to the view from the other side and gives a comprehensive insight into tactical and operational considerations in Normandy (strategic being necessarily a matter for Berlin).
The main focus is on the situation in 1944 and as well as including many invaluable personal accounts of individual soldiers, gives us the command problems of the senior officers. The fallacy that the Atlantic Wall could be adequatly defended by second rate garrison troops when a key component of the defence plan was to deny the landings on the beaches, is clearly shown in the frustrations of the local commanders. That the German Landser fought as well as he did, and indeed the elite formations fought beyond expectations, is clearly brought out in the book. In my opinion a first class reference that is invaluable for understanding Normandy and the German role in one of the deciding campaigns of the war.


Mike McCarthy
Editor, "The Battle Guide"
Guild of Battlefield Guides