In June 1944 Allied troops were massing along the shores of southern England, in readiness for the invasion of Hitler’s Fortress Europe. Facing them, from the Pas de Calais to Brittany, were German troops, dug in, waiting and preparing for the inevitable confrontation. Fighting the Invasion is a unique compilation of in-depth accounts by German commanders present at D-Day, and the events leading up to it, from the point of view of the officers entrusted with preventing the Allied landings. The accounts David Isby has selected, all written soon after the war’s close for American military intelligence, cover preparations for invasion and intricately chart the development of German strategy as invasion loomed. After detailing this planning stage, and the uncertain waiting, the accounts turn to the ordeal of D-Day itself, the reactions to the first reports of troop landings, and a blow-by-blow account of the fighting. The reports, published in paperback for the first time, contain significant revelations. First, by D-Day, the “vaunted” Atlantic Wall was only partially ready to repel an invasion. It was not a continuous line of fortifications, but more a series of strong points between stretches of unfortified or lightly fortified coastline. Another significant point, revealed by numerous reports, was the importance of Allied airpower to the ultimate success of the invasion. The strategic bombing offensive had made construction material scarce, especially cement for the wall’s hardened and semi-hardened strong points. Finally, the reports provide an insight into the general fighting ability of the average German soldiers and their actions to repel the invasion. Overall, Isby paints a superb picture of D-Day from the German perspective bringing home the entire experience from the initial waiting to the bitter fighting on the beaches and running battles in Norman villages. ‘Fighting the Invasion is essential reading for those really interested in the invasion on D-Day of Hitler’s Fortress Europe.’ - The Guards Magazine David C Isby edited The Luftwaffe Fighter Force and is the author of many military books, including GI Victory and Fighting the Bombers. Back to Greenhill Military Book News No. 126 Table of Contents Back to Greenhill Military Book News List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2003 by Greenhill Books This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com