After D-Day: Operation Cobra and the Normandy Breakout

by Carafano

After storming the beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of France bogged down in seven weeks of grueling attrition in Normandy. On July 25, U.S. divisions under Gen. Omar Bradley launched Operation Cobra, an attempt to break out of the hedgerows and begin a war of movement across France. Despite a disastrous start, with misdropped bombs killing hundreds of GIs, Cobra proved to be one of the most pivotal battles of World War II, successfully breaking the stalemate in Normandy and clearing a path into occupied France.

Genres: World War II, Military History, History, Nonfiction

295 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in-depth analysis on the the Operation after D-day. Carafano goes into great detail on the state of the units and leaders involved, the terrain, how the units were organized, how decisions were made and more. It is heavy reading but doesn't have the feel of a military textbook. Everything is highly referenced per chapter. The footnotes often have great little insights. If you are a fan of military history with an interest in World War II I would very much recommend

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be able to travel to Normandy, stand on Omaha Beach, look out from the German gun implacements on Pont du Hoc, visit the American Cemetery, and the museum at Arronmach, the site of the mulberry harbor. I enjoyed this book about the early struggles of the Allies to maintain and advance their foothold in France. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Rob Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most detailed and balanced book I have read on Operation Cobra during my studies on the subject. The author does an excellent job of setting the strategic context, analyzing the key characters and units involved, and comparing the plan with what actually happened. Each chapter discusses the plan, the terrain, and the enemy before unfolding the detailed tactical narrative of events that took place for each unit involved, and then discusses the German Army reaction to each unit. If you are interested in the Normandy breakout I would highly recommend this book.

[Jim DeFelice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the books that I listed as a most useful book in the bibliography of my book "Omar Bradley: General At War." James Jay Carafano is the only one who gets it right about Bradley's pivotal role in the Cobra breakout. Obscure, but worth finding.