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Breakout and Pursuit
By the beginning of July 1944 the Allied forces had successfully landed in northern France.
Yet, although D-Day had been a monumental success, their journey was far from over.
How did the Allied forces drive back the Nazi’s from their strongly entrenched positions in northern France all the way to the German border?
This is the main question that is answered with Martin Blumenson’s brilliant study, Breakout and Pursuit, which covers the period from 1st July to 11th September 1944.
The allied forces had to work together to overcome tremendous difficulties as they fought against battle-hardened troops.
Virtually every sort of major operation involving co-ordinated action of the combined arms is found: the grueling positional warfare of the battle of the hedgerows, the breakthrough of the main enemy position, exploitation, encirclement, and pursuit, as well as a number of actions falling under the general heading of special operations — an assault river crossing, the siege of a fortress, and night combat, among others.
Blumenson states that he wished this book would be of interest to the general reader “who may be motivated by curiosity and the hope of learning in some detail about the conduct of the campaign, the expenditure of men and materiel, and the problems that face military leaders engaged in war.”
Martin Blumenson was an American military historian who had been the historical officer of both the Third and Seventh Armies in World War Two. He wrote a number of prominent books on World War Two, including a biography of Patton and a number of campaign histories. He was awarded the Samuel Eliot Morison Prize for lifetime achievement from the Society of Military History in 1995. His book Breakout and Pursuit was first published in 1960 and he passed away in 2005.
Yet, although D-Day had been a monumental success, their journey was far from over.
How did the Allied forces drive back the Nazi’s from their strongly entrenched positions in northern France all the way to the German border?
This is the main question that is answered with Martin Blumenson’s brilliant study, Breakout and Pursuit, which covers the period from 1st July to 11th September 1944.
The allied forces had to work together to overcome tremendous difficulties as they fought against battle-hardened troops.
Virtually every sort of major operation involving co-ordinated action of the combined arms is found: the grueling positional warfare of the battle of the hedgerows, the breakthrough of the main enemy position, exploitation, encirclement, and pursuit, as well as a number of actions falling under the general heading of special operations — an assault river crossing, the siege of a fortress, and night combat, among others.
Blumenson states that he wished this book would be of interest to the general reader “who may be motivated by curiosity and the hope of learning in some detail about the conduct of the campaign, the expenditure of men and materiel, and the problems that face military leaders engaged in war.”
Martin Blumenson was an American military historian who had been the historical officer of both the Third and Seventh Armies in World War Two. He wrote a number of prominent books on World War Two, including a biography of Patton and a number of campaign histories. He was awarded the Samuel Eliot Morison Prize for lifetime achievement from the Society of Military History in 1995. His book Breakout and Pursuit was first published in 1960 and he passed away in 2005.
800 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2012
259 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Martin Blumenson
67 books13 followersMartin Blumenson was a soldier in the US army, and a military historian, and a recognised authority on the life of Gen. George S. Patton Jr.
Blumenson received a Bachelors and Masters degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He received a second master's degree in history from Harvard University. He also was an exellent pianist, performing at Carnegie Hall as a young man.
He served as a U.S. Army officer in northwestern Europe during World War II.
After the war he lived in France for a number of years, where he met his wife of 55 years, Genevieve Adelbert Blumenson, who died in 2000.
Blumenson again served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and later worked in the Office of the Chief of Military History until 1967. After this he became an adviser on civil disorders for the Johnson administration.
Blumenson received a Bachelors and Masters degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He received a second master's degree in history from Harvard University. He also was an exellent pianist, performing at Carnegie Hall as a young man.
He served as a U.S. Army officer in northwestern Europe during World War II.
After the war he lived in France for a number of years, where he met his wife of 55 years, Genevieve Adelbert Blumenson, who died in 2000.
Blumenson again served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and later worked in the Office of the Chief of Military History until 1967. After this he became an adviser on civil disorders for the Johnson administration.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 5, 2023
A formative history of the allies drive from the beaches of Normandy to the German border
A great history of the second half of 1944 when the Allies thoroughly defeated the Wehrmacht in the west. Very detailed, in some cases describing battalion level maneuvering in the hedgerows of Normandy. The book mirrors the battle: tedious in the beginning with hedgerow fighting and the battles around Caen to the wide open division level maneuvers related to pursuit. You must have a Michelin road map of France at the very least to follow the routes of the various involved units. Highly recommended
A great history of the second half of 1944 when the Allies thoroughly defeated the Wehrmacht in the west. Very detailed, in some cases describing battalion level maneuvering in the hedgerows of Normandy. The book mirrors the battle: tedious in the beginning with hedgerow fighting and the battles around Caen to the wide open division level maneuvers related to pursuit. You must have a Michelin road map of France at the very least to follow the routes of the various involved units. Highly recommended
February 12, 2019
History is Fun
I would like to give 5 stars but the lack of maps held me back. Read this on a computer or in paper if you can, and have a map handy. I was confused at times when German troop designations sounded like US army designations. A good editor should have seen this. Overall I liked the book. As a Vietnam Vet, I wish we had the same leadership enjoyed by the Army troops in this segment of our history.
I would like to give 5 stars but the lack of maps held me back. Read this on a computer or in paper if you can, and have a map handy. I was confused at times when German troop designations sounded like US army designations. A good editor should have seen this. Overall I liked the book. As a Vietnam Vet, I wish we had the same leadership enjoyed by the Army troops in this segment of our history.
January 7, 2019
Revealing history of the terrific battles joined as part of D-Day
After reading this account, I feel embarrassed by my reliance on Hollywood as a history teacher. Such an awful price our troops paid.
After reading this account, I feel embarrassed by my reliance on Hollywood as a history teacher. Such an awful price our troops paid.
November 17, 2020
More maps, please.
A very thorough account of an overlooked phase of the victory in the west. My reading has mostly been about D Day and Normandy, then I skipped ahead to the Battle of the Bulge. This book covers the in between.
A very thorough account of an overlooked phase of the victory in the west. My reading has mostly been about D Day and Normandy, then I skipped ahead to the Battle of the Bulge. This book covers the in between.
February 5, 2023
This is a fascinating deep-dive book, direct from US Military logs to the reader. This book chronicles the Allied effort from D-DAY through September 1944 as the Allied armies chased the retreating Germans across France, complete with battle maps illustrating the advance.
October 26, 2018
Excellent though Very Detailed. More detailed and larger maps
would have been a great aid
would have been a great aid
October 4, 2019
Good
Good read. The amount of casualties suffered is staggering. It gave a good understanding of the breakout from Normandy. Worth reading.
Good read. The amount of casualties suffered is staggering. It gave a good understanding of the breakout from Normandy. Worth reading.
April 24, 2022
Excellent!
The author does an amazing job of covering the action from the invasion to Germany. It is well organized for sure.
The author does an amazing job of covering the action from the invasion to Germany. It is well organized for sure.
July 4, 2019
Detailed account
Excellent work of how and who was fighting and how it led to push the Germans out of France.c
Highly recommend
Excellent work of how and who was fighting and how it led to push the Germans out of France.c
Highly recommend
May 23, 2013
This is one of a one hundred volume history of WWII. This volume deals with the U.S. Army ETO in post invasion France mainly July and August 1944. This is large military unit history and is a solid history filled with charts, maps and photo's and is Published by the U.S. GPO.
August 20, 2018
An older, book, more like an operational report, very detailed, gives a stunning account of the brutal fighting in Normandy especially the Bocage area and the breakout.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews