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by Michael Reyka.
Hardback (6.3×9.3 inches). 230 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: 180th Infantry Regiment and the Battle of Fremifontane
This is less a combat history of a tactical battle and more a travelogue and personal research into finding the author’s father’s spot in the battle. The author searched archives and interviewed people in the US and France about the battle in general and his father in particular. His trip in 2010 eventually followed the 45th division attacks through nearby villages until it reached Fremifontane, which was part of the defense line that received a German counter-attack.
His father manned a HMG in Co. H, 2nd Battalion. Period maps help define the position and a guide helped smooth relations and language issues with local residents at each stop. Ultimately, the son reaches Fremifontane and believes he found the actual foxhole his father used when falling back from the initial German onslaught.
The book contains 28 black and white photos and 15 black and white maps.
The maps help set up a tabletop scenario, although you’ll probably need a bit more OOB and TO&E research to fill out the forces. All in all, it’s a pleasant read and a bit of a “how-to” manual on researching a relative’s involvement in WWII.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
