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Day of the Panzer: A Story of American Heroism and Sacrifice in Southern France
A highly rated, vivid and readable account of U.S. tanks in action in 1944 based on six years of research, interviews and battlefield visits.
“[An] excellent popular history . . . a sprightly and evocative tribute to the troops of Operation Dragoon” - Publishers Weekly
This is a rarely detailed, “you are there” account of World War II combat, describing a brief but bloody tank/infantry action in August 1944. Based on six years of research—drawing from interviews, primary documents, and visits to the battlefield—The Day of the Panzer transports the reader into the ranks of L Company, 15th Regiment, Third Infantry Division, and its supporting M4s of the 756th Tank Battalion as they grapple head-on with the Wehrmacht.
On August 15, 1944, L Company hit the beaches in southern France, joined by the tank crews of 2nd Lt. Andrew Orient’s 3rd Platoon, all veterans of Cassino. Despite logistical problems, the Third Division forged north through the Rhône River valley, L Company and its supporting tanks leading the regimental charge—until they faced a savage counterattack by the Germans and a rampaging Panther tank...
In this book, the minute-by-minute confusion, thrill, and desperation of WWII combat is placed under a microscope, as if the readers themselves were participants. “Through his well-wrought prose, Danby paints a detailed picture of deadly fighting and stunning victory” - WWII History
“One of the most interesting and absorbing battles histories that this reviewer has ever read...remarkably realistic and personal.” — History Book Club
“The excellent descriptions of infantrymen, tankers and supporting troops from the 15th’s Cannon Company using M8 self-propelled howitzers and the three inch gun armed M10s of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion make for good reading.” —War History Online.
“[An] excellent popular history . . . a sprightly and evocative tribute to the troops of Operation Dragoon” - Publishers Weekly
This is a rarely detailed, “you are there” account of World War II combat, describing a brief but bloody tank/infantry action in August 1944. Based on six years of research—drawing from interviews, primary documents, and visits to the battlefield—The Day of the Panzer transports the reader into the ranks of L Company, 15th Regiment, Third Infantry Division, and its supporting M4s of the 756th Tank Battalion as they grapple head-on with the Wehrmacht.
On August 15, 1944, L Company hit the beaches in southern France, joined by the tank crews of 2nd Lt. Andrew Orient’s 3rd Platoon, all veterans of Cassino. Despite logistical problems, the Third Division forged north through the Rhône River valley, L Company and its supporting tanks leading the regimental charge—until they faced a savage counterattack by the Germans and a rampaging Panther tank...
In this book, the minute-by-minute confusion, thrill, and desperation of WWII combat is placed under a microscope, as if the readers themselves were participants. “Through his well-wrought prose, Danby paints a detailed picture of deadly fighting and stunning victory” - WWII History
“One of the most interesting and absorbing battles histories that this reviewer has ever read...remarkably realistic and personal.” — History Book Club
“The excellent descriptions of infantrymen, tankers and supporting troops from the 15th’s Cannon Company using M8 self-propelled howitzers and the three inch gun armed M10s of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion make for good reading.” —War History Online.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
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52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 19, 2016
The Second World War was filled with big battles, all of which have received some sort of literary and/or celluloid treatment. However, there were thousands of little battles as well, many of which are mere footnotes to what went on in a larger campaign. The author was trying to find out how his grandfather died in the war, and in the course of his research he came across a story which he felt compelled to tell. It's the story of a few small units and the combat they faced during the invasion of Southern France in 1944.
This invasion has never gotten the literary coverage of the Normandy invasion, but it was important in the grand Allied scheme of winning the war. While the book doesn't present a complete "big picture" view of the invasion, it does provide a nice little snapshot of what a few small units went through. The narrative flows really well and is filled with various recollections of some of the men involved. If small unit actions are what you like, this will be a book you'll enjoy
This invasion has never gotten the literary coverage of the Normandy invasion, but it was important in the grand Allied scheme of winning the war. While the book doesn't present a complete "big picture" view of the invasion, it does provide a nice little snapshot of what a few small units went through. The narrative flows really well and is filled with various recollections of some of the men involved. If small unit actions are what you like, this will be a book you'll enjoy
October 18, 2021
This is an incredibly researched and readable book. It presents a clear picture of what happened when the US forces came into southern France in 1944. I have a much increased awareness of different tanks and how tank maneuevers work. While it was a slow start for me, Danby made it easy to both experience anticipation and understand the details; something that I find many historian writers lack. Something I greatly appreciated was that it wasn't just a specialised textbook on southern France in 1944; it had many tidbits that highlighted context. The roads that were built by the Romans, the engagement of different towns, and the chaos caused by the FFI. The personal stories humanised all involved: Germans, French, and Americans. What really struck a chord for me was how these college aged kids were running a war in southern France - on all sides. Their sacrifice and early growth has given so much freedom to subsequent generations.
My only confusion was the title was so incongruous with the book content. There was very little mentioned about Panzers. While there was an abundance of knowledge about "modern" armour in general, the title led me to believe of a German Panzer division showdown. The conflict in Allen was very much an excellent picture of tank conflict, but the big German presence was actually a Panther, not a Panzer. In fact, there was only reference to Panzers, and none were in any actions described in southern France.
Overall, it is an extremely educational book on southern France and the retaking of it in 1944. These are the kind of stories that get lost in history as only the big battles are remembered. I'm grateful that grandchildren of heroes in these battles are taking the time and research to record these.
My only confusion was the title was so incongruous with the book content. There was very little mentioned about Panzers. While there was an abundance of knowledge about "modern" armour in general, the title led me to believe of a German Panzer division showdown. The conflict in Allen was very much an excellent picture of tank conflict, but the big German presence was actually a Panther, not a Panzer. In fact, there was only reference to Panzers, and none were in any actions described in southern France.
Overall, it is an extremely educational book on southern France and the retaking of it in 1944. These are the kind of stories that get lost in history as only the big battles are remembered. I'm grateful that grandchildren of heroes in these battles are taking the time and research to record these.
December 7, 2018
First I owe Mr. Danby an apology for not picking up his book when it first came out. I can only plead the seemingly growing pile of unread books surrounding me as I write these words. Normally a tank on the cover gets a definite look inside and then it’s half a chance that the book comes home with me. In this case, there is also my interest in the parachute/glider troops who participated in the invasion of the South of France whose story is a continuing interest for me. However, I recently rediscovered “The Day of the Panzer” in one of those informal circulating libraries some hotels now offer for their guests. (My copy returns home next week now that I’ve finished it.)
One might say that Jeff Danby stumbled into the writing of this book in much the same way that I stumbled into reading it. He actually started down this path when he began researching the story of his grandfather’s World War II service in the U.S. Third Infantry Division – “the Rock of the Marne.” He pieced together the information he was looking for, and a lot more, from the official records, official histories, after action reports, interviews with veterans who served with his grandfather and other surviving participants and eyewitnesses, and even walked the battlefield. It became apparent to him after five and half years of research that it would take a book to tell this story – and the result is a new history of the Champagne Campaign – the invasion of the South France, with a strong emphasis on what it was like for the troops rather than the generals.
It was a pleasant surprise to find that his extensive research on this small engagement at Allan, France, enabled Danby to present an intimate detailed account of the battle. In a work reminiscent of Cornelius Ryan and later Stephen Ambrose, Danby helps us follow individual soldiers and officers to the beaches of France and the roads that led them to the village of Allan. Often we have their own words describing what they saw and heard, what they did, and what happened next – and why. His writing style is clear and easy to follow. If I had any quibble at all it would the apparent continuing confusion between “panzer’ – German for tank – and “Panther” – meaning the German Mark V tank called the Panther – a constant and dangerous threat to Allied Shermans. However, I am generally persuaded that this apparent confusion in fact reflects the usage of the GIs who actually fought the war and thus did not have time to belabor correct Wehrmacht armored nomenclature nor points of the German usage of language and vocabulary.
Canby adds 15 pages of appendices and some 44 pages of footnotes that go beyond the bare source citation to offer additional details and information not in the main body of the book. The capstone is a 15 page bibliography listing his sources. If you are interested in the average GI’s perspective or experience; like studies of small company sized actions that go into detail, or simply want to have a better sense of what the war was like in the South of France in August- September 1944 – this is a book for you. And Jeff – I’m looking forward to your next book!
One might say that Jeff Danby stumbled into the writing of this book in much the same way that I stumbled into reading it. He actually started down this path when he began researching the story of his grandfather’s World War II service in the U.S. Third Infantry Division – “the Rock of the Marne.” He pieced together the information he was looking for, and a lot more, from the official records, official histories, after action reports, interviews with veterans who served with his grandfather and other surviving participants and eyewitnesses, and even walked the battlefield. It became apparent to him after five and half years of research that it would take a book to tell this story – and the result is a new history of the Champagne Campaign – the invasion of the South France, with a strong emphasis on what it was like for the troops rather than the generals.
It was a pleasant surprise to find that his extensive research on this small engagement at Allan, France, enabled Danby to present an intimate detailed account of the battle. In a work reminiscent of Cornelius Ryan and later Stephen Ambrose, Danby helps us follow individual soldiers and officers to the beaches of France and the roads that led them to the village of Allan. Often we have their own words describing what they saw and heard, what they did, and what happened next – and why. His writing style is clear and easy to follow. If I had any quibble at all it would the apparent continuing confusion between “panzer’ – German for tank – and “Panther” – meaning the German Mark V tank called the Panther – a constant and dangerous threat to Allied Shermans. However, I am generally persuaded that this apparent confusion in fact reflects the usage of the GIs who actually fought the war and thus did not have time to belabor correct Wehrmacht armored nomenclature nor points of the German usage of language and vocabulary.
Canby adds 15 pages of appendices and some 44 pages of footnotes that go beyond the bare source citation to offer additional details and information not in the main body of the book. The capstone is a 15 page bibliography listing his sources. If you are interested in the average GI’s perspective or experience; like studies of small company sized actions that go into detail, or simply want to have a better sense of what the war was like in the South of France in August- September 1944 – this is a book for you. And Jeff – I’m looking forward to your next book!
April 8, 2023
This is the story of L Company, 15th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. It briefly covers its participation in North Africa and Sicily and Italy but focuses on its landing in Southern France and its fight into Germany at wars end. Author Jeff Danby tells the story through the experiences of the soldiers involved. It is my favorite style because it makes war real rather than a remote examination from a detached perspective.
The Third Infantry Division is the most decorated infantry division in the US Army. It also has the most Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients, 58 total. L Company and its supporting elements added their share to the number of decorations though not the MOH. The L Company commander, Captain James "Red" Coles was a hard charger, always out front and itching for contact. He was tough, fair and trained the company well. He was, in my opinion, impetuous. He was eventually captured because he moved out ahead of his forces on a Jeep reconnaissance. First Lieutenant George Burks, the Executive Officer was more balanced and eventually assumed command after Coles was captured. Coles did receive the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Burks was severely wounded late in the war and spent over a year recuperating in an Army hospital. In addition to L Company the tankers of 3rd Platoon, B Company, 756th Tank Battalion and members of the 2nd Platoon, Cannon Company, 15th Infantry Regiment fought alongside L Company for much of the campaign through Southern France.
The fight from the landing in Southern France proceeded smoothly and initially with easy contact. As L Company progressed towards the town of Allan, the German defense hardened. The German LXXXV Armeekorps and 338th Division headquarters were in Allan and it was defended by a Panther tank, a number of Marder III anti-tank guns, two large Sturmgeschultz assault guns of the 11th Panzer Division and at least a battalion of German soldiers. Coles was counting on Allan being lightly defended and led his company into serious contact with a much larger enemy force. The Americans held on and eventually thanks to air support, additional support from the 15th Regiment and 3rd Infantry Division and to the German desire to retreat back towards Germany captured Allan. The cost to L Company and the attached 756th tankers was nine killed in action and thirteen wounded and thirteen missing in action . Four of the missing became Prisoners of War, eight were captured but escaped and one wounded captured but liberated in a hospital two days later.
Danby has a postscript follows the soldiers post war and a number of appendixes that list awards and decoration, the unit roster, a glossary and tables of organizations and ranks of the participating US units. In his Epilogue the author points out that the casualty rate for the Third Infantry Division in two and one half years of combat was about one in three. The division suffered 24,324 casualties. The normal division strength was a little over 14,000. This is an interesting read and for those interested in the invasion through Southern France it is especially interesting.
The Third Infantry Division is the most decorated infantry division in the US Army. It also has the most Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients, 58 total. L Company and its supporting elements added their share to the number of decorations though not the MOH. The L Company commander, Captain James "Red" Coles was a hard charger, always out front and itching for contact. He was tough, fair and trained the company well. He was, in my opinion, impetuous. He was eventually captured because he moved out ahead of his forces on a Jeep reconnaissance. First Lieutenant George Burks, the Executive Officer was more balanced and eventually assumed command after Coles was captured. Coles did receive the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Burks was severely wounded late in the war and spent over a year recuperating in an Army hospital. In addition to L Company the tankers of 3rd Platoon, B Company, 756th Tank Battalion and members of the 2nd Platoon, Cannon Company, 15th Infantry Regiment fought alongside L Company for much of the campaign through Southern France.
The fight from the landing in Southern France proceeded smoothly and initially with easy contact. As L Company progressed towards the town of Allan, the German defense hardened. The German LXXXV Armeekorps and 338th Division headquarters were in Allan and it was defended by a Panther tank, a number of Marder III anti-tank guns, two large Sturmgeschultz assault guns of the 11th Panzer Division and at least a battalion of German soldiers. Coles was counting on Allan being lightly defended and led his company into serious contact with a much larger enemy force. The Americans held on and eventually thanks to air support, additional support from the 15th Regiment and 3rd Infantry Division and to the German desire to retreat back towards Germany captured Allan. The cost to L Company and the attached 756th tankers was nine killed in action and thirteen wounded and thirteen missing in action . Four of the missing became Prisoners of War, eight were captured but escaped and one wounded captured but liberated in a hospital two days later.
Danby has a postscript follows the soldiers post war and a number of appendixes that list awards and decoration, the unit roster, a glossary and tables of organizations and ranks of the participating US units. In his Epilogue the author points out that the casualty rate for the Third Infantry Division in two and one half years of combat was about one in three. The division suffered 24,324 casualties. The normal division strength was a little over 14,000. This is an interesting read and for those interested in the invasion through Southern France it is especially interesting.
August 23, 2019
Accurate account of often forgotten invasion of Southern France. Also, touching to know it revolves around the author's grandfather and his ultimate sacrifice to his country. If you like World War II history, this is a must read.
May 21, 2018
Easy to read account of the US Third Infantry Division primarily through Italy and the south of France in WWII. Primarily relies on the insights of those who were on the ground in the front lines.
February 23, 2016
The invasion of Southern France in August of 1944. Mostly the story of the death of the author's grandfather in a tank battle. While this narrows the view of the campaign, there is interesting information on the campaign beyond the personal stories of the men in this small unit.
As at D-Day in Normandy, the Americans used dual-drive (DD) Shermans on the beaches. The author points out that once ashore, the tankers received their regular tanks and the DDs went away. Were the French tanks the same as those used on D-Day? An interesting notion to track down, however the author did not. Mostly individual stories found in thousands of WWII memoires, this book still manages to be interesting and informative.
As at D-Day in Normandy, the Americans used dual-drive (DD) Shermans on the beaches. The author points out that once ashore, the tankers received their regular tanks and the DDs went away. Were the French tanks the same as those used on D-Day? An interesting notion to track down, however the author did not. Mostly individual stories found in thousands of WWII memoires, this book still manages to be interesting and informative.
May 8, 2014
A good account of WWII in the South of France, which I didnt realize had little to no media exposure. Danby does a good job of bring the characters and personalities into light, while historically describing the action (or lack thereof in some cases). He seems to make some calculated leaps of logic, but that is to be expected when dealing with this type of historical accounting. The read is pretty easy and I got through this pretty quickly. Definitely a solid book about a WWII topic that doesnt get a lot of play.
August 11, 2010
Danby could have written a personal account of his father's war or he could have chosen to compile a narrative of the 3rd Infantry Division as it fought through Italy and Southern France. Instead, Day of the Panzer weakly includes elements of both possibilities while incorporating distracting amounts of conjecture and irrelevant trivia. You may think you want to read it, but I assure you that you don't.
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March 26, 2013Good read, well written. Battle descriptions not so detailed that it bogs down, but still enough details to clearly understand what is going on.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews