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If Chaos Reigns: The Near-Disaster and Ultimate Triumph of the Allied Airborne Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
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About this ebook
“A gem of a book that highlights the ‘fog of war’ as seen by American, British, and Canadian airborne units when they parachuted behind enemy lines.” —WWII History
Magazine
“Gentlemen, do not be daunted if chaos reigns; it undoubtedly will.” So said Brigadier S. James Hill, commanding officer of the British 3rd Parachute Brigade, in an address to his troops shortly before the launching of Operation Overlord—the D-Day invasion of Normandy. No more prophetic words were ever spoken, for chaos indeed reigned on that day, and many more that followed. Much has been written about the Allied invasion of France, but award-winning military historian Flint Whitlock has put together a unique package—the first history of the assault that concentrates exclusively on the activities of the American, British, and Canadian airborne forces that descended upon Normandy in the dark, pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944. Landing into the midst of the unknown, the airborne troops found themselves fighting for their lives on every side in the very jaws of the German defenses, while striving to seize their own key objectives in advance of their seaborne comrades to come. Whitlock details the formation, recruitment, training, and deployment of the Allies’ parachute and glider troops. First-person accounts by veterans who were there—from paratroopers to glidermen to the pilots who flew them into the battle, as well as the commanders (Eisenhower, Taylor, Ridgway, Gavin, and more)—make for compelling, “you-are-there” reading. If Chaos Reigns is a fitting tribute to the men who rode the wind into battle and managed to pull victory out of confusion, chaos, and almost certain defeat.
Magazine
“Gentlemen, do not be daunted if chaos reigns; it undoubtedly will.” So said Brigadier S. James Hill, commanding officer of the British 3rd Parachute Brigade, in an address to his troops shortly before the launching of Operation Overlord—the D-Day invasion of Normandy. No more prophetic words were ever spoken, for chaos indeed reigned on that day, and many more that followed. Much has been written about the Allied invasion of France, but award-winning military historian Flint Whitlock has put together a unique package—the first history of the assault that concentrates exclusively on the activities of the American, British, and Canadian airborne forces that descended upon Normandy in the dark, pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944. Landing into the midst of the unknown, the airborne troops found themselves fighting for their lives on every side in the very jaws of the German defenses, while striving to seize their own key objectives in advance of their seaborne comrades to come. Whitlock details the formation, recruitment, training, and deployment of the Allies’ parachute and glider troops. First-person accounts by veterans who were there—from paratroopers to glidermen to the pilots who flew them into the battle, as well as the commanders (Eisenhower, Taylor, Ridgway, Gavin, and more)—make for compelling, “you-are-there” reading. If Chaos Reigns is a fitting tribute to the men who rode the wind into battle and managed to pull victory out of confusion, chaos, and almost certain defeat.
Author
Flint Whitlock
Military historians Flint Whitlock and Eric Miller have compiled over 200 photographs--many of them previously unpublished--from a variety of sources to tell the story of the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale.
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Reviews for If Chaos Reigns
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
4 ratings1 review
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very well done description and analysis of the Airborne aspect of the Normandy Invasion. The planning had many flaws, grossest among them was failing to assess the terrain correctly. Hedgerows, swamps and flooded fields turned into deathtraps. Did anyone think to ask the local French Resistance. Execution was even worse than the planning. Vastly overloaded with equipment and supplies, most of which left their possession, on or before landing and scattered miles from their drop zones, how did these men succeed?Success was at the small unit level. Groups formed, someone took charge. These small groups seized and held strongpointt, bridges and strategic road junctions and denied their use to the Germans. Supported by locals who helped them find supplies, gave directions; frequently paying a horrendous price from revengeful Nazis. It was not planned or pretty but the common soldier did the job.
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If Chaos Reigns - Flint Whitlock
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