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Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy by Terry Copp
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August 28, 2023
This book (Second Edition) was published in 2014. Additional information has come to light since the earlier Maple Leaf Route series which Copp wrote with Robert Vogel in the 1980s. Copp’s current book covers the actions of the First Canadian Army from D-Day, 1940 June 06 to the closing of the Falaise gap on 1940 August 26 and the relevant units of the German Army began to exit France. Since the Maple Leaf Route series was published, there has been a circle of thought that the Canadian Army did not perform up to expectation during this period.
Copp and Vogel pursued recently released documents and an extensive review of primary sources. They also reviewed recent historical analyses and interviewed remaining senior officers from all armies who fought this battle. (Due to his death, Vogel was unable to participate in the drafting of this book.) The focus is on the role played by the Canadian Army in Normandy. The objective is to review the performance of the relevant Canadian Army units and revisit the strategic issues related to Allied and German action during this period. The scope of the book includes D-Day, the battles before Caen, the taking of Caen, and Operations: Goodwood and Spring, Totalize, Tractable and closing the Falaise Gap. Copp reviews the performance and strategies adopted by the senior Commanders. All significant units from Army Group (Montgomery) to Army (Dempsey, Crerar and Bradley), Corps, Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, Regiments and lower if they played a significant role.
The author has produced a new analysis of the campaign in Normandy. Primary source documents included: unit War Diaries, intelligence reports including ULTRA, message logs, Situation Reports, operational orders, after-action reports, Operational Research reports, and additional historical officer analysis. Most of this material is available in: the Public Archives of Canada including microfilms of German documents, the Archives of Great Britain, and the United States National Archives.
Material contained includes detailed chapters of eight battles plus an introduction and concluding analysis. For each of the battles, the author begins with a status review of the Commanders, the units and the Germans. This covered, resources at hand, objectives and planned strategy for the Allies and Germans. They then share battle information at the Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps, Army, and Army Group levels as appropriate. They close each battle with a summary of what was accomplished and what was not, personnel losses and what opportunities, or not, arise from this battle. This includes analyses of which groups and leaders did well and which did not. Copp is not afraid to compliment who did well and who did not. In some cases, the authors had no need to rank leaders’ performance as it becomes obvious as the material is presented.
Readers interested in the Canadian Army during the battle of Normandy may get more value from this book. They may be more familiar with the material. Of course, the German Army was the enemy, and their actions are well covered as they impacted the Canadian Army and Army Group objectives. At higher command, division and up, personalities are of considerable interest as many of the players are engaged in personal objectives as well as their orders. Copp makes his case in support of the Canadian Army and its military leaders. Canadians can be proud of the performance of their Army compared to any others in these battles and can hold their heads high without qualification.
This book was a pleasure to read. The text is clear, articulate and well organized. Maps and drawings are clear and add to the text. Photographs are also clear and contribute to the text. Five stars.
Copp and Vogel pursued recently released documents and an extensive review of primary sources. They also reviewed recent historical analyses and interviewed remaining senior officers from all armies who fought this battle. (Due to his death, Vogel was unable to participate in the drafting of this book.) The focus is on the role played by the Canadian Army in Normandy. The objective is to review the performance of the relevant Canadian Army units and revisit the strategic issues related to Allied and German action during this period. The scope of the book includes D-Day, the battles before Caen, the taking of Caen, and Operations: Goodwood and Spring, Totalize, Tractable and closing the Falaise Gap. Copp reviews the performance and strategies adopted by the senior Commanders. All significant units from Army Group (Montgomery) to Army (Dempsey, Crerar and Bradley), Corps, Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, Regiments and lower if they played a significant role.
The author has produced a new analysis of the campaign in Normandy. Primary source documents included: unit War Diaries, intelligence reports including ULTRA, message logs, Situation Reports, operational orders, after-action reports, Operational Research reports, and additional historical officer analysis. Most of this material is available in: the Public Archives of Canada including microfilms of German documents, the Archives of Great Britain, and the United States National Archives.
Material contained includes detailed chapters of eight battles plus an introduction and concluding analysis. For each of the battles, the author begins with a status review of the Commanders, the units and the Germans. This covered, resources at hand, objectives and planned strategy for the Allies and Germans. They then share battle information at the Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps, Army, and Army Group levels as appropriate. They close each battle with a summary of what was accomplished and what was not, personnel losses and what opportunities, or not, arise from this battle. This includes analyses of which groups and leaders did well and which did not. Copp is not afraid to compliment who did well and who did not. In some cases, the authors had no need to rank leaders’ performance as it becomes obvious as the material is presented.
Readers interested in the Canadian Army during the battle of Normandy may get more value from this book. They may be more familiar with the material. Of course, the German Army was the enemy, and their actions are well covered as they impacted the Canadian Army and Army Group objectives. At higher command, division and up, personalities are of considerable interest as many of the players are engaged in personal objectives as well as their orders. Copp makes his case in support of the Canadian Army and its military leaders. Canadians can be proud of the performance of their Army compared to any others in these battles and can hold their heads high without qualification.
This book was a pleasure to read. The text is clear, articulate and well organized. Maps and drawings are clear and add to the text. Photographs are also clear and contribute to the text. Five stars.
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