Synopses & Reviews
The Allied victory at Omaha Beach was a costly one. A direct infantry assault against a defense that was years in the making, undertaken in daylight following a mere thirty-minute bombardment, the attack had neither the advantage of tactical surprise nor that of overwhelming firepower. American forces were forced to improvise under enemy fire, and although they were ultimately victorious, they suffered devastating casualties.
Why did the Allies embark on an attack with so many disadvantages? Making extensive use of primary sources, Adrian Lewis traces the development of the doctrine behind the plan for the invasion of Normandy to explain why the battles for the beaches were fought as they were.
Although blame for the Omaha Beach disaster has traditionally been placed on tactical leaders at the battle site, Lewis argues that the real responsibility lay at the higher levels of operations and strategy planning. Ignoring lessons learned in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters, British and American military leaders employed a hybrid doctrine of amphibious warfare at Normandy, one that failed to maximize the advantages of either British or U.S. doctrine. Had Allied forces at the other landing sites faced German forces of the quality and quantity of those at Omaha Beach, Lewis says, they too would have suffered heavy casualties and faced the prospect of defeat.
Review
The fullest study of the planning for the cross-channel invasion we have.
(Naval History)
Review
Why the US troop landing at Omaha Beach turned into the Normandy invasion's toughest and bloodiest battle is the subject of this thought-provoking analysis.
(Choice)
Review
A major contribution to our understanding of the assault on Omaha Beach.
(Journal of Military History)
Review
"[Lewis] has built a very strong case by using primary evidence, such as army archives and memoirs of the commanders involved. Historical specialists and scholars will be interested in the book.
(Library Journal)"
Review
Since Omaha Beach occupies a place in American consciousness comparable to Gettysburg's, seasoned military-history readers may be intrigued by the meticulousness of the assault plan and how it went awry, with thousands of casualties and near-defeat at the water's edge. (Booklist)
Review
"A dual Main Selection of the History Book Club, this clearly written, carefully argued and well-researched account offers a still-valid lesson in the importance of communication up and down the chain of command, and on bravery.
(Publishers Weekly)"
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [355]-367) and index.
About the Author
Adrian R. Lewis is assistant professor of history at the University of North Texas in Denton and a retired major in the U.S. Army.