Fighting The Breakout: The German Army in Normandy from Cobra to the Falaise Gap

by David Isby (Editor)

This fascinating volume charts the progress of the Allied breakout of Normandy through German eyes. Beginning with Operation COBRA and ending with the offensive which led to the liberation of Paris, this critical phase of the war in the west is examined and described by senior German officers. These, from staff officers at OKW to divisional generals on the ground, critique their performance, examine Allied superiority, and evaluate their own efforts to contain Allied forces in Normandy. They look at such key events as the counter-attack at Mortain, the American offensive, British and Canadian efforts and the sequence of events that led to the fighting around the Falaise gap. The German officers originally submitted the reports presented here to Allied intelligence efforts as part of post-war debriefing sessions. The current volume, which follows on from Fighting the Invasion and Fighting in Normandy, consists of carefully selected and edited material. Fighting the Breakout gives a broad picture of German hopes balanced with the realisation that they could not hope to contain the Allied efforts for long. With supplementary material by David C.Isby, Fighting the Breakout is a fascinating glimpse into how a defeated army sought hard to turn the tide of defeat.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2004

About the author

David Isby is an acclaimed author, attorney, and national defense consultant. In Washington, first as a congressional staff member and, subsequently, as a consultant on national security issues, Isby has worked for numerous firms with a range of governmental and private sector clients. He continues to write extensively on national security and military history topics, and is an author or editor of more than 20 books and 350 essays and articles in publications including International Defense Review, USA Today, Washington Times, Jane's Defense Weekly, Strategic Review, Comparative Strategy, Jamestown Terrorism Monitor, and Jane's Intelligence Review. He also has lectured at many staff colleges including National Defense University, US Army War College, US Army Command and General Staff College, Air Command & Staff College, US Marine Corps Command and General Staff College, Naval Postgraduate School, and other institutions.

Reviews

[Mark Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight. It was really interesting to hear the German perception of the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Most salient are the consistent veneer of confidence in the performance of the Wehrmacht and general disdain for Allied combat skill on the part of the officers chronicled here. "Alas, but for a lack of support from Army staff and OKW the invasion could have been pushed back into the sea as we had planned." Or something like that. In all fairness, there was a recognition of Allied material superiority. It was interesting to read about the local German command attempting to cope with the situation.

Informative book, but not sexy. The reports written shortly after the war under Allied (American) interrogation all seem genuine in that the tone and objective facts seem to be reported consistently, but the reports are not in any standard format and are taken from individuals directly involved with the defense of the coast. It seems they had access to some records but also spoke from memory about some things. Such reports have a factual feel about them, but are laced with German pride and consistent reminders that the invasion was doomed but for the lack of support from high command.

The author is helpful. Mr. Isby begins major sections with a brief overview and summary of what was happening on the ground in terms of who was where when doing what. There is also a section of reports from the interrogators (more like "interviewers") noting their impressions of their interviewees and the information provided. It's well documented and worth reading for those interested in the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

[Matt Bradfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Underwhelming. I bought this as I read an article about the author finding hundreds of thousands of pages of transcripts from German POW recordings. Book only had a few and was primarily just the author using them throughout to support his larger points. From my perspective it provided no insight into the thoughts/mindset/beliefs of the regular soldiers.