By the fall of 1944 the Western Allies appeared to be having it all their own way. The summer’s Normandy invasion had finally succeeded and the Germans had been driven out of northern France and most of the Low Countries. In September the invasion of France’s southern coast had met less opposition and Allied divisions had begun lining up along the Rhine. But while the Americans were about to meet a nasty surprise in the Ardennes; the Germans never did let go of the province of Alsace; and in a hard pocket around the city of Colmar continued to resist. On New Year’s Eve they launched a counteroffensive; Operation Northwind; that nearly put Allied forces back on their heels. While the Allies were eventually able to take care of their Ardennes problem the Colmar one still remained. On January 12; 1945; Eisenhower could only tell George Marshall; “It is a very bad thorn in our side today." This is the story of the Sixth Army Group (7th US 1st French Armies) which fought on the southern flank of the SHAEF front. The French had multiple problems during this campaign so that increasing number of US divisions needed to take part. In the process the 3rd and 28th Infantry Divisions; and 10th and 14th Armored; among others were able to cover themselves with heroism; though hardly less than the threadbare German 19th Army; which bravely resisted against enormous odds until finally the west bank of the Rhine was cleared. Amidst a horrific winter and rough terrain; interspersed by demolished towns; both sides traded blows in a ferocious campaign often neglected in histories of the war. This book informs us fully of the tremendous and costly struggle waged on that often-neglected sector of the front.
#815057 in Books 2015-06-19 2015-07-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.20 x .70 x 8.80l; .0 #File Name: 1611212642224 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Evokes memoriesBy Seasoned investorOne item not mentioned is the Gettysburg cyclorama located on Pay Streak at the Alaska; Yukon; Pacific Expo in 1909. I have a postcard of the building housing the cyclorama at that time; the location today being on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. My research has not disclosed what the cyclorama depicted inside and which one of the "buckeyes" (ie. knockoffs) was being displayed. There was also a painting of the Monitor and Merrimac battle. Otherwise; this volume is; by far; the most comprehensive rendition of the painting's history. As an aside; as a child; I recall seeing the painting on display at the old block building on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg. The cost: a quarter. The ranger at the entrance saw me counting all my nickels and pennies to go inside. He said: "Just go inside; son." Would that happen today???? All the significant points of interest in the painting were identified by numbered boards leaning against the bottom of the artwork. The person providing the narrative would simply refer to the numbers on the boards to describe what was being depicted. Contrast that to the the manner in which the painting is displayed today.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ESSENTIAL to UNDERSTANDING THE US CIVIL WARBy R. BaconI bought a signed copy of this book while at the Gettysburg museum this past summer. The extra ones were gifts (3) so far. About once a month the historians involved in the restoration do a 2+ hour program AFTER HOURS (6pm-8pm) tour/class for the evening on all the details of the painting restoration process and the Cyclorama. The schedule is irregular; typically either a Friday or Saturday evening and limited to about 30 people. You can buy tickets ($20) ahead of time and the Foundation has the schedule; but perhaps the best part of our trip. If you do this and the bus tour; you will see how close we came to being separate countries. If two countries; the odd are high Germany would have won WWI about 50 years later. The bus tour; after hours tour and this book will correct 90% of what you learned in HS or college. Not sure it matters much which you do first.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An outstanding contribution to the body of historical literature....!By Chip Bragg"The Gettysburg Cyclorama" is with out a doubt the most interesting book I’ve picked up in a LONG time. The book’s authors are to be commended as is the publisher. The information is encyclopedic; the pictures are amazing; yet at the same time it is very readable.
