book recommendations for Normandy post D-Day?

[Hoagie]

I was inspired by a previous book recommendation thread on Market Garden to put some book orders in to ask about by my own specific interest, Normandy post D-Day (Op.Epsom, Bluecoat, Jupiter, Charnwood, Goodwood etc), and what I'm specifically after is book with lots photographs. I've previously enjoyed the Over battlefield book series by Ian Daglish for example.

[Tom Dulski]

 If you survive by George Wilson picks up right where D day left off. It starts in the hedgerows of France and continues to the wars end. It's a first person account of ground combat. It doesn't give you the Big Picture and there are NO photographs. 

[Cubs]

'British Armour in the Normandy Campaign 1944' by John Buckley is a good read, if you can find an old copy for less than a kidney (I got mine on PDF). I don't agree with all his conclusions, but it is insightful, well researched and reasoned, a real myth-buster in places.

[Harry Faversham]

Ken Tout's books about tankies in Normandy are brilliant.

[PeteW]

Depending on what you are after the Battleground Europe series have separate books covering Goodwood, Hill 112, Epsom, Bluecoat, Totalize, and Mont Picon.

For photos have a look at some of the Editions Heimdal books - these often have French text only but are always full of photos that are generally not seen elsewhere.

P



 

[Cat]

Yes, the Battleground Europe series are great.
 
Also one with lots of great detail for gaming:
No Holding Back: Operation Totalize, Normandy, August 1944; Brian Reid
 

[John D Salt]

Major J J How's "Hill 112" and "The British Breakout" are both very useful.

John Keegan's "Six Armies in Normandy" is well worth a read.

I second Harry Faversham's recommendation of anything by Ken Tout.

All the best,

John.

[Hoagie]

If you survive by George Wilson picks up right where D day left off. It starts in the hedgerows of France and continues to the wars end. It's a first person account of ground combat. It doesn't give you the Big Picture and there are NO photographs.

It does sound intriguing, I'll put it on the to do list, but for the future!

'British Armour in the Normandy Campaign 1944' by John Buckley is a good read, if you can find an old copy for less than a kidney (I got mine on PDF). I don't agree with all his conclusions, but it is insightful, well researched and reasoned, a real myth-buster in places.

I actually do have it as a pdf, should really have anohger printing! Ive watched a few intreviews with Buckley, always interesting!

Ken Tout's books about tankies in Normandy are brilliant.

I have not heard of him at all, will definitely check out, thanks!

Depending on what you are after the Battleground Europe series have separate books covering Goodwood, Hill 112, Epsom, Bluecoat, Totalize, and Mont Picon.

For photos have a look at some of the Editions Heimdal books - these often have French text only but are always full of photos that are generally not seen elsewhere.

P

I do have most of the Battleground books, they were really great foe when I was getting in to normandy 44 to begin with!

I was hoping for some specific Heimdal recommendations, they do look fantastic, and the amount of images sounds like exactly what I'm looking for atm.

Major J J How's "Hill 112" and "The British Breakout" are both very useful.

John Keegan's "Six Armies in Normandy" is well worth a read.

I second Harry Faversham's recommendation of anything by Ken Tout.

All the best,

John.

How and Keegan added, thanks!

[gweirda]

If your search for images and photographs would benefit from a bird's-eye-view, it's worth the time to check out the mass of recon shots available at  https://ncap.org.uk/search?view=map .

[SJWi]

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned "Panzers in Normandy; Then and Now" by Eric Lefevre, one of the excellent "After the Battle" series of books. Currently available from Naval and Military Press reduced from £28 to £11.99 plus P&P.

[modelwarrior]

Depends on what nationality your interested in and which regiments ? One of the best books I have read covering Normandy and beyond regarding the British and Canadians is,"Stout Hearts" by Ken Kite.

[steders]

I’ve found any of the books written by Georges Bernage to be excellent. He covers all of the Normandy battles (I think) in detail and they are rammed with photos. Loads of different formats and I’m not sure if everything he has written has been translated.

[Klingsor]

I enjoyed James Holland’s books:
Normandy '44: D-Day and the Battle for France
Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment's Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day
The ‘We Have Ways of Making You Talk’ podcast is very good (I cannot stand Al Murray as a comedian but he is great on the podcast) and makes a lot of book recommendations.

[Hoagie]

If your search for images and photographs would benefit from a bird's-eye-view, it's worth the time to check out the mass of recon shots available at  https://ncap.org.uk/search?view=map .

Wow, that's an amazing resource, thank you for sharing!

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned "Panzers in Normandy; Then and Now" by Eric Lefevre, one of the excellent "After the Battle" series of books. Currently available from Naval and Military Press reduced from £28 to £11.99 plus P&P.

That looks very close to what I'm looking for, thanks!

I’ve found any of the books written by Georges Bernage to be excellent. He covers all of the Normandy battles (I think) in detail and they are rammed with photos. Loads of different formats and I’m not sure if everything he has written has been translated.

They look fantastic, just a bit sparse with info when on Heimdal's webshop I found. Are you familiar with his books Invasion Journal Pictoral or Normandie 1944? Would you recommend one over the other?

Depends on what nationality your interested in and which regiments ? One of the best books I have read covering Normandy and beyond regarding the British and Canadians is,"Stout Hearts" by Ken Kite.

I'll have a look at that, thanks! My main interest has been the British divisions that partook in the big operations during the summer of '44, but atm I'm looking for books filled with photos, like "Operation market Garden Then and now".

I enjoyed James Holland’s books:
Normandy '44: D-Day and the Battle for France
Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment's Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day
The ‘We Have Ways of Making You Talk’ podcast is very good (I cannot stand Al Murray as a comedian but he is great on the podcast) and makes a lot of book recommendations.

Solid recommendations, much appreciated! I already have Normandy 44 and often listen in on the pod. The youtube channel is a blast too!

[mluther]

Just picked up the latest from Tim Saunders---The Advance on Caen. Great source for early Normandy games with Brits and Germans including 21st Pz D. All his books are good because he really gets down to the details of the battlefields with plenty of nice maps https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Adv ... ck/p/52515