The Battle of Normandy was the greatest offensive campaign the world had ever seen. It was also the crucible of combat tactics and logistic techniques that would decide the outcome of World War II . . .
It began on D-Day. June 6, 1944—the day that the Allied forces launched the great crusade to free Europe from the iron grip of Nazi Germany. Tightly constricted hedgerow country and bitter German resistance held the Allied advance to a crawl—until the Allies broke through and trapped the Nazi armies. Yet, within weeks of this stunning disaster, the Germans smashed the most dangerous Allied offensive yet.
How was this possible? Noted author John Prados answers this vexing question with an account that reframes the Normandy breakout. Shifting between battle action and command decisions on both sides, Normandy Crucible lucidly illustrates how this campaign molded the climactic battle for Europe.
'As Prados boldly demonstrates, Normandy is not a tale of perfect triumph, of Allied armies marching toward an inevitable victory. On the contrary: After a short period of uncertainty, the Germans struck back, hard and relentlessly.' Mark Perry
'As fresh point of view . . . Prados has done his homework, writes fine battle descriptions, and makes a convincing case that events during the summer of 1944 predicted the subsequent course of the war.' Kirkus Reviews
