by Ernest Albert “Andy” Andrews, jr with David B. Hurt.
Softcover (6.0×9.0 inches). 364 pages. 2026 reprint of 2022 book.
Subtitle: From Normandy to Victory with the 1st Infantry Division in World War II
This memoir by a member of a machine gun squad covers all the nitty gritty details of WWII combat in Europe. He landed with the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, H company on Omaha Beach late in the day and moved up with the division as it crossed Europe.
Along the way, he was involved in various battles, was wounded numerous times from bullet and shrapnel, and earned a Bronze Star for traversing a minefield twice to bring back ammo — although that was far from his most harrowing experience in small-unit combat. He almost lost his hand from frostbite in the Battle of the Bulge and was there all the way to VE Day and then some. He was rotated home and discharged back into civilian life.
Of note, at least to me, was that his mother, born in 1888, was Margarette Rebecca Lockwood (p33) — probably a relative.
Of note to gamers is that in the post-Falaise race across France, his unit carried by jeeps raced 23 miles in three hours against no opposition (p140) and the next day only got 15 miles. Other rates of movement against no German opposition were 85 miles in five days (p141) and 35 miles in nine hours (p151). Think about that when moving across the tabletop with no opposition versus having to stop and deploy against any opposition.
Tactically, the two MGs of his squad were often placed 30 or 40 yards apart for crossfire purposes. He also picked up the habit of sighting down the underside of the barrel to make himself as small a target as possible (p184). Watching other gunners getting hit in the head encourage him to keep doing so.
The book contains 16 black and white photos, seven color photos, and six black and white maps of the towns he mentions in the text, albeit without a scale.
It’s all quite colorful and a smooth read from his foxhole — operational plans were far above his pay grade of PFC. He never knew why he was going to this place or that, only that he had to. He went through several pairs of glasses since they often seemed to be getting shot off his face. A good memoir.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
