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by Gilberto Villahermosa.
Softcover (6.2×9.3 inches). 327 pages. 2025 reprint of 2019 book.
Subtitle: The II Parachute Corps in the Battle for France 1944
As you might expect from the title, the II Parachute Corps receives an exhaustive examination of its battles in Normandy, from D-Day up through Operation Cobra and also including the defense of the port of Brest.
Considerable period unit histories and plenty of first-person accounts contribute to the level of detail all across the II Para’s front. Division by division, and subunit by subunit, the defense and counter-attacks receive battle recaps and analysis on what made the paratroopers difficult to defeat. Despite limited reinforcements and replacements, an often interrupted supply line, and overwhelming US air and artillery attacks, the paratroopers stubbornly defended positions.
The book contains 44 black and white photos and eight black and white maps of limited reproduction quality and use.
The excellent tactical recaps of actions small and smaller, interspersed with a considerable amount of numerical data, offer ample opportunity for tabletop scenarios.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
