'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 12, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP group.

I'm sure this June 2023 release will interest a few group members; "No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II" by Gregory Fontenot.

No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II by Gregory Fontenot
Description:
The U.S. 1st Infantry Division (1st ID), familiarly known as the Big Red One, adapted to dynamic battlefield conditions throughout the course of its deployment during World War II by innovating and altering behavior, including tactics, techniques, and procedures. The evidence shows that both the Division's leaders and soldiers did so by thinking critically about their experiences in combat and wasting little time in putting lessons learned to good use. Simply put, they learned on the job-in battle and after battle-and did so quickly. This is remarkable in that the terrain, weather, and the enemy changed as the Division fought its way through North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, Germany, and finally Czechoslovakia; equally important were constraints imposed on the 1st ID by manpower shortages (some of them critical), structural changes, and even weapons capabilities, all of which required continual adjustment.

In telling the Division's WWII story, not only in the historical narrative but in an extensive Photographic Essay-which comprises 65 images, many of which have never been reproduced-to appear in the center of the work, Gregory Fontenot includes the stories of individual members of the Big Red One, officers as well as enlisted men, having gleaned information from the hundreds of memoirs, diaries, and postwar interviews he either consulted or personally conducted, making his third volume in the American Military Experience series a meaningful and memorable one.

Reviews:
"Greg Fontenot's No Sacrifice Too Great follows the First Infantry Division from the beaches of the Mediterranean and Normandy through the fields of France to the forests of Germany. Throughout, the author demonstrates that if war is a learning contest, then the "Big Red One" was among its best students and had few peers in adaptation, innovation, and improvisation. The division's fabled story and eventual success does much to explain the vital American contribution to Allied victory in World War II and the liberation of continental Europe, and offers a model for building highly effective organizations in the future."--Christopher M. Rein, author of The North African Air Campaign: U.S. Army Air Forces from El Alamein to Salerno and Mobilizing the South: The Thirty-First Infantry Division, Race, and World War II

"As the number of WWII veterans has declined precipitously in recent years, and those few veterans who are still alive are in their 100s--and because the gap between the WWII generation and current generation that knows little about the military continues to widen--a book such as this is vital in keeping this information alive."--Flint Whitlock, editor of WWII Quarterly magazine, author of The Fighting First: The Untold Story of the Big Red One on D-Day

"Gregory Fontenot, with a deep knowledge of World War II history, a rich, profound understanding of how armies work, and the heart of a soldier, provides an excellent study and analysis of the campaigns and battles of the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One, in World War II, in his book, No Sacrifice Too Great. This book is informative, well-written, dramatic, rich in insights, and deeply instructive for leaders at all levels."--Adrian R. Lewis, The David B. Pittaway Professor of Military History, University of Kansas, author of Omaha Beach: A Flawed Victory and The American culture of War, 3rd Edition, retired soldier, U.S. Army Ranger.

"The U.S. Army of World War II fielded many superb fighting formations, but the 1st Infantry Division, the famous Big Red One, surely has a valid claim to be the greatest of them all. From North Africa to Sicily to Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge, the Division was right there in the heart of the greatest land battles in history. Who commanded and inspired this great outfit? Who stood in its stalwart ranks? Most importantly, how and why did this division, more than all the others, learn how to fight and win against the tough and lethal German Army? In No Sacrifice Too Great, 1st Infantry Division Gulf War combat veteran and renowned military historian Gregory Fontenot explains it all with candor and insight. It's a great American story by our Army's premier soldier-scholar."--Daniel P. Bolger, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, Retired and author of The Panzer Killers: The Untold Story of a Fighting General and His Spearhead Tank Division's Charge into the Third Reich

I hope you enjoy the book on Isurava. Keep us posted!

Mike wrote: "$2.99 short term sale at all the ebook sites:

[book:The Zeppelin Offensive: A German Perspective in Pictu..."

Two pretty interesting books Mike, thanks for the notification.

Simon wrote: "

Had this for ages, finally getting into it. So far, a detailed excursion ..."

That should make for some interesting reading!

Phrodrick wrote: "Based on a recommendation from this thread, I am about 1/2 way into

Fairly int..."

Glad to hear you are enjoying this book Phrodrick :)

More good books, thanks for that Mike :)

Darya and BA, we are here to share and enjoy good books :)

BA another pretty good first-hand account from a Germany soldier fighting on the Eastern Front is; "In Deadly Combat". You might like to check it out.

In Deadly Combat: A German Soldier's Memoir of the Eastern Front by Gottlob Herbert Bidermann

Great range of books there Mike at excellent prices, thanks again for the notification.

A lot of good books there Mike, thanks for the notification.

Glad to hear you enjoyed "Ivan's War: Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945". One of a few books covering the life of the Russian soldier during WW2.

Two more interesting books, thanks for the notification, Jerome.

I also enjoy Dimbelby's books as good overview accounts, setting you up for more in-depth reading if you so desire. Nice review/summary there Alex.

Antonio wrote: "Finnished the book on Hobart's Funnis and started with "1945: Victory in the West" by Peter Caddick-Adams."

I am sure you will enjoy that book Antonio, let us all know how you go.

Dimitri wrote: "Teeny dusty bookfair with cardboard boxes marked "3 euro each" and boom, Hardcover with the old 24 euro sticker still on it.
I refrained from yelling Coorahee.

[bookcover:Easy Company Soldier: The..."

Nice find Dimitri!

Some more good books at great prices, thanks for the notification Mike.

I may have to look for a new and updated edition :)

Something different Dipanjan, thanks for posting those details.

Great review Perato!

Geez, I remember reading "The Face of War" sometime back in the late 1970's! I hope you enjoy it.

Two good new books there Komet and Jerome, thanks for posting the details.