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When the Odds Were Even: The Vosges Mountains Campaign, October 1944-January 1945
In three months of savage fighting, the U.S. Seventh Army did what no army in the history of modern warfare had ever done before–conquer an enemy defending the Vosges Mountains.
With the toughest terrain on the Western Front, the Vosges mountain range was seemingly an impregnable fortress, manned by German troops determined to hold the last barrier between the Allies and the Rhine. Yet despite nearly constant rain, snow, ice, and mud, soldiers of the U.S. Seventh Army tore through thousands of pillboxes, acres of barbed wire, hundreds of roadblocks, and miles of other enemy obstacles, ripping the tenacious German defenders out of their fortifications in fierce fighting–and then held on to their gains by crushing Operation Nordwind, the German offensive launched in a hail of steel at an hour before midnight on the last New Year’s Eve of the war.
Keith Bonn’s fascinating study of this little-known World War II campaign offers a rare opportunity to compare German and American fighting formations in a situation where both sides were fairly evenly matched in numbers of troops, weapons, supplies, and support. This gripping battle-by-battle account shatters the myth that German formations were, division for division, superior to their American counterparts.
With the toughest terrain on the Western Front, the Vosges mountain range was seemingly an impregnable fortress, manned by German troops determined to hold the last barrier between the Allies and the Rhine. Yet despite nearly constant rain, snow, ice, and mud, soldiers of the U.S. Seventh Army tore through thousands of pillboxes, acres of barbed wire, hundreds of roadblocks, and miles of other enemy obstacles, ripping the tenacious German defenders out of their fortifications in fierce fighting–and then held on to their gains by crushing Operation Nordwind, the German offensive launched in a hail of steel at an hour before midnight on the last New Year’s Eve of the war.
Keith Bonn’s fascinating study of this little-known World War II campaign offers a rare opportunity to compare German and American fighting formations in a situation where both sides were fairly evenly matched in numbers of troops, weapons, supplies, and support. This gripping battle-by-battle account shatters the myth that German formations were, division for division, superior to their American counterparts.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
17 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Keith Bonn
1 book1 followerA U.S. Army Infantry officer and historical scholar, Keith Earl Bonn served in various airborne, infantry, and light infantry command and staff assignments in the continental United States and Korea, as well as a joint assignment in Central America. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1978), he earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago. Attributing his passion for the military to his heritage as the son, grandson, and great-grandson of NCOs, Bonn was the author of several books on professional military topics. After retiring from the U.S. Army (1974-1997), he founded The Aberjona Press, a small publishing company specializing in World War II historical literature, where he was editor-in-chief.
Keith Bonn died unexpectedly from a blood infection on December 8, 2005. He was survived by his wife Patricia and their two children, Victoria Grace and William Lloyd.
Mr. Bonn was a graduate of both the Airborne and Ranger schools and earned the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) while serving as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Keith Bonn died unexpectedly from a blood infection on December 8, 2005. He was survived by his wife Patricia and their two children, Victoria Grace and William Lloyd.
Mr. Bonn was a graduate of both the Airborne and Ranger schools and earned the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) while serving as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 21, 2010
An interesting book on at least three levels: as a look at an often forgotten campaign of WWII, a re-evaluation of certain "truths" long held concerning the quality of the German soldier, and a challenge to the post-WWWII doctrinal trends of the US Army.
The nature of the terrain and weather during the Vosges Mountains Campaign negated the US superiority in terms of transportation and air power, yet the US eventually prevailed against their German opponents.
Written in a somewhat academic style, I only recommend it to those with a strong interest in the subject matter, but highly recommend it in that case.
I've seen the quality of the maps commented on more than once, and don't fully understand the criticisms. They are typical of maps found in works of military history. The book could have benefited from some overview maps showing just where the Vosges Mountains are located, and how the overall campaign progressed, but the maps that are in the book adequately show the placement and movement of the units involved.
The nature of the terrain and weather during the Vosges Mountains Campaign negated the US superiority in terms of transportation and air power, yet the US eventually prevailed against their German opponents.
Written in a somewhat academic style, I only recommend it to those with a strong interest in the subject matter, but highly recommend it in that case.
I've seen the quality of the maps commented on more than once, and don't fully understand the criticisms. They are typical of maps found in works of military history. The book could have benefited from some overview maps showing just where the Vosges Mountains are located, and how the overall campaign progressed, but the maps that are in the book adequately show the placement and movement of the units involved.
September 30, 2018
An outstanding work on an understudied battle that does much to refute the stereotype of German military superiority.
October 31, 2020
Once this was the only book on Voges Campaign, but it's been overshadowed by a host of recent treatments at both the strategic and first person level, including the well done official history. When the Odds reads much like a command study for incorporation in a MIL 200 level class. The author's style is awkward with occasional insights drowned in unit names and backgrounds on every commander who appears even tangentially (many of whom were policemen between the wars). I'm not convinced that the author succeeds in proving his central thesis either.
I wouldn't recommend it for anyone, even those interested in the campaign, as there are better books on the campaign.
I wouldn't recommend it for anyone, even those interested in the campaign, as there are better books on the campaign.
November 7, 2024
A truly unbiased account that leaves no doubt about the nature of the fighting men on either side at this stage of the war. It offers deep insight into not just the organizational aspect of each side but the education and tactics utilized by both. It also examines other factors involved in the conflict, everything from the terrain, to the weather, to the morale of both sides, and what really happens when the two fighting forces were engaged on fair terms.
February 18, 2024
3.5 STARS
A classically written battle study written by a retired U.S. Army officer (West Point; Class of 1978), exactly what one would expect from a graduate of the United States Military Academy. In a point of fact Mr. Bonn was active duty when he researched and wrote and published the book.
Mr Bonn's begins his work by addressing late twentieth century critics of the U.S. contribution to the war. It had become popular by the eighties and nineties to reduce the American contribution to the Allied war effort (WWII) as being a mostly material contribution (and it was significant).
American troops were sub-par and simply overwhelmed their opponents, while exhibiting little to no combat skills. This was a narrative that was started by former German officers (defeated) and then picked up by those who simply don't like the United States in later years. Essentially, they were claiming that if it hadn't been for the material wealth of the United States, the American military would have been ineffective.
Admittedly there are many Americans who have been rather insufferable about the U.S. contribution to the war effort ("The U.S. saved England and reversed the tide of Axis victories") so it shouldn't come a surprise that the narrative has proven to be popular. In more recent years it has become fashionable to compare the number of Russians killed in contrast to the number of American dead as further proof that the U.S. didn't do much in the war. I find this to be rather despicable (regarding all the dead of WWII - regardless of nationality) and I believe it has been pushed by the Russians. This particular narrative has tapered off it seems while the Ukraine War drags on with the Russian military displaying less than impressive military dominance against the Ukraine.
The fighting in the Vosges Mountains in Eastern France in the Fall of 1944 had received only sporadic coverage by historians in the years following WWII. Mr. Bonn argues that since the Vosges Campaign was considered to be a secondary sector of the Northwest European Campaign the American and French forces weren't as numerous or as generously supported as the Commonwealth and American forces in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Lorraine region of Northern France. In addition, due to the terrain and weather of the Vosges Mountains, the American and French troops didn't have the massive air and armor support enjoyed by Patton and Bradley. Tanks aren't exactly made for mountain fighting and the weather was consistently snowy/rainy and overcast, limiting the effective of close air support. The numbers of troops on both sides were fairly equal in Eastern France, the Germans were dug in, and the Americans were attacking strongly fortified positions - mainly the Maginot Line which was occupied by the Germans.
Mr. Bonn argues that the odds were even in the Vosges and yet the American Army still took the day. He then sets out to show that the American infantry (not elite paratroopers, Patton's Third Army or Marines) outfought the Germans. As I stated at the beginning Mr. Bonn was an Army officer and he wrote a battle study. This is not a look at the horrors that war inflicts on soldiers and civilians. It is a book written by a professional officer - the folks who we look to lead our troops and fight our wars. It isn't a profession in which one takes time to cry and ponder humanity's inhumanity. This book examines the campaign and how both sides trained, organized and fought the campaign. The suffering that the troops experienced is acknowledged, but in a professional and perfunctory manner. Mr. Bonn isn't heartless, but his profession was (he retired in 1997) the Army and warfare. It's understood that suffering will be part of that experience. As far as what the civilians in the area experienced - it's never covered. In 2023 such an oversight is glaring, but it doesn't make his work any less valid.
Mr. Bonn's work is solidly written and well researched. He argues that the U.S. Army held its own against a very capable opponent without a plethora of fire-support He then systematically examines the three months of fighting (November 44 - January 45). It's very detailed with battalions, regiments and divisions receiving the bulk of his attention. There are many detailed maps and multiple photographs. The chapter notes are also detailed and provide additional information not found in the text.
Generals and some Colonels are named. I could find only one enlisted soldier being mentioned. This is not a Stephen Ambrose history. The individual soldier is part of a team, and it is the teams (units) that receive the attention. I would expect nothing less from a West Point staff officer. No civilians are named incidentally.
This is not an account for the layperson. It's definitely written for the military history enthusiast who likes their history detailed and very specific. Nevertheless, this is the type of research needed for those who believe American soldiers were no good and the U.S. won by dropping refrigerators and razors on the Germans.
A classically written battle study written by a retired U.S. Army officer (West Point; Class of 1978), exactly what one would expect from a graduate of the United States Military Academy. In a point of fact Mr. Bonn was active duty when he researched and wrote and published the book.
Mr Bonn's begins his work by addressing late twentieth century critics of the U.S. contribution to the war. It had become popular by the eighties and nineties to reduce the American contribution to the Allied war effort (WWII) as being a mostly material contribution (and it was significant).
American troops were sub-par and simply overwhelmed their opponents, while exhibiting little to no combat skills. This was a narrative that was started by former German officers (defeated) and then picked up by those who simply don't like the United States in later years. Essentially, they were claiming that if it hadn't been for the material wealth of the United States, the American military would have been ineffective.
Admittedly there are many Americans who have been rather insufferable about the U.S. contribution to the war effort ("The U.S. saved England and reversed the tide of Axis victories") so it shouldn't come a surprise that the narrative has proven to be popular. In more recent years it has become fashionable to compare the number of Russians killed in contrast to the number of American dead as further proof that the U.S. didn't do much in the war. I find this to be rather despicable (regarding all the dead of WWII - regardless of nationality) and I believe it has been pushed by the Russians. This particular narrative has tapered off it seems while the Ukraine War drags on with the Russian military displaying less than impressive military dominance against the Ukraine.
The fighting in the Vosges Mountains in Eastern France in the Fall of 1944 had received only sporadic coverage by historians in the years following WWII. Mr. Bonn argues that since the Vosges Campaign was considered to be a secondary sector of the Northwest European Campaign the American and French forces weren't as numerous or as generously supported as the Commonwealth and American forces in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Lorraine region of Northern France. In addition, due to the terrain and weather of the Vosges Mountains, the American and French troops didn't have the massive air and armor support enjoyed by Patton and Bradley. Tanks aren't exactly made for mountain fighting and the weather was consistently snowy/rainy and overcast, limiting the effective of close air support. The numbers of troops on both sides were fairly equal in Eastern France, the Germans were dug in, and the Americans were attacking strongly fortified positions - mainly the Maginot Line which was occupied by the Germans.
Mr. Bonn argues that the odds were even in the Vosges and yet the American Army still took the day. He then sets out to show that the American infantry (not elite paratroopers, Patton's Third Army or Marines) outfought the Germans. As I stated at the beginning Mr. Bonn was an Army officer and he wrote a battle study. This is not a look at the horrors that war inflicts on soldiers and civilians. It is a book written by a professional officer - the folks who we look to lead our troops and fight our wars. It isn't a profession in which one takes time to cry and ponder humanity's inhumanity. This book examines the campaign and how both sides trained, organized and fought the campaign. The suffering that the troops experienced is acknowledged, but in a professional and perfunctory manner. Mr. Bonn isn't heartless, but his profession was (he retired in 1997) the Army and warfare. It's understood that suffering will be part of that experience. As far as what the civilians in the area experienced - it's never covered. In 2023 such an oversight is glaring, but it doesn't make his work any less valid.
Mr. Bonn's work is solidly written and well researched. He argues that the U.S. Army held its own against a very capable opponent without a plethora of fire-support He then systematically examines the three months of fighting (November 44 - January 45). It's very detailed with battalions, regiments and divisions receiving the bulk of his attention. There are many detailed maps and multiple photographs. The chapter notes are also detailed and provide additional information not found in the text.
Generals and some Colonels are named. I could find only one enlisted soldier being mentioned. This is not a Stephen Ambrose history. The individual soldier is part of a team, and it is the teams (units) that receive the attention. I would expect nothing less from a West Point staff officer. No civilians are named incidentally.
This is not an account for the layperson. It's definitely written for the military history enthusiast who likes their history detailed and very specific. Nevertheless, this is the type of research needed for those who believe American soldiers were no good and the U.S. won by dropping refrigerators and razors on the Germans.
May 7, 2020
Definitely not a light read, "When the Odds Were Even" is a book only for military historians and those with an avid interest in WWII history.
I like the overall premise of the book, and the author does make his case that American units were 1-for-1 better than German units, from the Corps level down to the individual soldier.
My only two gripes are (1) the maps are very small and a little difficult to follow, and (2) the campaign the author selected, I wish, could've been better picked. The Vosges campaign was a time when German units, leaders, and training had already suffered greatly. I would imagine there were Italian campaigns earlier that even with airpower differences, a more equal assessment could be made about force-on-force combat operations.
That being said, this is an outstanding assessment of the Vosges campaign, and I learned a great deal from this book.
I like the overall premise of the book, and the author does make his case that American units were 1-for-1 better than German units, from the Corps level down to the individual soldier.
My only two gripes are (1) the maps are very small and a little difficult to follow, and (2) the campaign the author selected, I wish, could've been better picked. The Vosges campaign was a time when German units, leaders, and training had already suffered greatly. I would imagine there were Italian campaigns earlier that even with airpower differences, a more equal assessment could be made about force-on-force combat operations.
That being said, this is an outstanding assessment of the Vosges campaign, and I learned a great deal from this book.
September 14, 2012
The book's discussion on whether the US or Germany's army formations, man for man, were better was done very well. The conclusion that was well thought out, excellently defended, and is contrary to popular opinion.
The detailed discussions of the Vosges Mountains Campaign itself, which was used to illustrate the truth of the conclusion presented above, was dry and difficult to get through - even for someone like me who enjoys military history.
The detailed discussions of the Vosges Mountains Campaign itself, which was used to illustrate the truth of the conclusion presented above, was dry and difficult to get through - even for someone like me who enjoys military history.
November 15, 2009
Not a light read. If you want a better history of just the battles read Whiting's The Forgotten Army.
This was like reading a war college study with continuous orders-of-battle for each action followed by short descriptions of the battle.
I still don't know how he figured that "The Odds were Even."
This was like reading a war college study with continuous orders-of-battle for each action followed by short descriptions of the battle.
I still don't know how he figured that "The Odds were Even."
July 5, 2009
This book has a great premise, but the lack of good maps was a huge negative. I had to turn to Wikipedia to find out where the Vosges mountains actually were. Wikipedia!
January 24, 2016
A good account of the struggle between the Americans and Germans in the Vosges Mountains during World War II with interesting details on the use of armor.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews