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The Guns of Normandy: A Soldier's Eye View, France 1944
In the weeks after D-Day, the level of artillery action in Normandy was unprecedented. In what was a relatively small area, both sides bombarded each other relentlessly for three months, each trying to overwhelm the other by sheer fire power.
The Guns of Normandy puts the reader in the front lines of this horrific battle. In the most graphic and authentic detail, it brings to life every aspect of a soldier’s existence, from the mortal terror of impending destruction, to the unending fatigue, to the giddy exhilaration at finding oneself still, inexplicably, alive.
The story of this crucial battle opens in England, as the 4th Field Regiment receives news that something big is happening in France and that after long years of training they are finally going into action. The troop ships set out from besieged London and arrive at the D-Day beaches in the appalling aftermath of the landing.
What follows is the most harrowing and realistic account of what it is like to be in action, as the very lead man in the attack: an artillery observer calling in fire on enemy positions. The story unfolds in the present tense, giving the uncomfortably real sense that “You are here.”
The conditions under which the troops had to exist were horrific. There was near-constant terror of being hit by incoming shells; prolonged lack of sleep; boredom; weakness from dysentery; sudden and gruesome deaths of close friends; and severe physical privation and mental anguish. And in the face of all this, men were called upon to perform heroic acts of bravery and they did.
Blackburn provides genuine insight to the nature of military service for the average Canadian soldier in the Second World War – something that is all too often lacking in the accounts of armchair historians and television journalists. The result is a classic account of war at the sharp end.
The Guns of Normandy puts the reader in the front lines of this horrific battle. In the most graphic and authentic detail, it brings to life every aspect of a soldier’s existence, from the mortal terror of impending destruction, to the unending fatigue, to the giddy exhilaration at finding oneself still, inexplicably, alive.
The story of this crucial battle opens in England, as the 4th Field Regiment receives news that something big is happening in France and that after long years of training they are finally going into action. The troop ships set out from besieged London and arrive at the D-Day beaches in the appalling aftermath of the landing.
What follows is the most harrowing and realistic account of what it is like to be in action, as the very lead man in the attack: an artillery observer calling in fire on enemy positions. The story unfolds in the present tense, giving the uncomfortably real sense that “You are here.”
The conditions under which the troops had to exist were horrific. There was near-constant terror of being hit by incoming shells; prolonged lack of sleep; boredom; weakness from dysentery; sudden and gruesome deaths of close friends; and severe physical privation and mental anguish. And in the face of all this, men were called upon to perform heroic acts of bravery and they did.
Blackburn provides genuine insight to the nature of military service for the average Canadian soldier in the Second World War – something that is all too often lacking in the accounts of armchair historians and television journalists. The result is a classic account of war at the sharp end.
536 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 1995
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About the author
George Blackburn
10 books5 followersThis is the disambiguation page for otherwise unseparated authors publishing as George Blackburn.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 18, 2021
This is a fantastic book. It goes into great detail about the Canadian campaign in Normandy, with firsthand accounts and riveting (and at times horrifying) stories of combat.
Canadian war history is unfortunately so overlooked and undertaught. Canada has been kicking ass and taking names since before the nation even had its independence. Canadian military efficiency is some of the most potent you will find on the planet. This has always been the case. Even today Canada holds numerous military records (Longest sniper kill ever as an example). The world hears mostly of American victories and stories of courage, but there are so many other nations who fought in WWII. Their courage should not be overlooked.
The other thing about Canada is that every single soldier who fought and died volunteered to be there. Canada didn't require a draft because the turnout of volunteers was so overwhelming; one of the biggest in history. They all wanted to be there, fighting for their country and the world at large. They died for that. Many of them were just boys. They should not be forgotten about.
This book is a must read for any war history fanatic; ESPECIALLY if they are Canadian.
Read this book.
Canadian war history is unfortunately so overlooked and undertaught. Canada has been kicking ass and taking names since before the nation even had its independence. Canadian military efficiency is some of the most potent you will find on the planet. This has always been the case. Even today Canada holds numerous military records (Longest sniper kill ever as an example). The world hears mostly of American victories and stories of courage, but there are so many other nations who fought in WWII. Their courage should not be overlooked.
The other thing about Canada is that every single soldier who fought and died volunteered to be there. Canada didn't require a draft because the turnout of volunteers was so overwhelming; one of the biggest in history. They all wanted to be there, fighting for their country and the world at large. They died for that. Many of them were just boys. They should not be forgotten about.
This book is a must read for any war history fanatic; ESPECIALLY if they are Canadian.
Read this book.
December 18, 2017
The only second person POV book I've read that works. I felt like I was in the artillery, living day by day in the thick of WW2. Thoroughly unsentimental yet gripping. The grit and sacrifice of these soldiers is inspiring.
June 29, 2018
What distinguishes this book from other military histories is Blackburn's success at combining first hand accounts with the overall "military history" of the breakout from Normandy. Initially I was put off by Blackburn's use of the 2nd person voice ("you") but I came to recognize its value as his own experiences (told as "you") are only a small portion of the narrative: the bulk is a combination of personal accounts written as "I", and official histories (written in the third person). Overall this book provides an excellent view of the battles for a breakout from the Normandy bridgehead from the Canadian perspective. In addition, I learned a lot about the technical aspects of artillery - though I felt the book could have used some additional information on this as well as a technical glossary.
November 8, 2024
Buy.
After reading hundreds of books on WWII it can be hard to find something that feels new and fresh. This excellent, perhaps one of the war’s best, memoir/account by a Canadian artillery officer is insightful, unique and engaging. I can’t think of another work that puts the reader in the shoes of the artillery man in quite the same way.
After reading hundreds of books on WWII it can be hard to find something that feels new and fresh. This excellent, perhaps one of the war’s best, memoir/account by a Canadian artillery officer is insightful, unique and engaging. I can’t think of another work that puts the reader in the shoes of the artillery man in quite the same way.
February 23, 2026
The Guns of Normandy by George G. Blackburn has got to be one of the best, if not THE best WWII novels I have ever read. Canadian soldiers being the focus makes it even better. 🇨🇦
The writing is fantastic. It is raw, brutal, intense and honest. Written in the rather unusual second person point of view, Blackburn masterfully weaves the narrative of a gunner (you) during the battle of Normandy. Since it is written in the second person you are absolutely immersed in the actions of the Canadian gunners. You are experiencing war for the first time along side your fellow soldiers. Blackburn shares short vignettes from officers as well that are extremely interesting which he places at regular intervals throughout the narrative.
I really enjoyed reading about Canadians. I feel like the Canadian contribution is often overlooked when it comes to their efforts in Normandy (as well as in Italy and the Pacific theatre). I appreciate how Blackburn emphasizes Canada's talent, fierceness, resilience and sacrifice. Blackburn describes the largely Canadian role in drawing the main force of German artillery and armour so that the Americans had an easier push through to Paris. Without this Canadian strength and toughness, it is doubtful the American army would have been capable of supporting the French 2nd Armoured Division in liberating Paris. He also describes how significant and important a role 1st Canadian Army played in one of the most decisive and pivotal battles in the war—the closing of the Falaise Gap that entrapped the German army as they frantically tried to escape across the Seine. The author quotes a Sir Brian Horrocks, commander of British 30th Corps: "[The battle of the Falaise Gap was] unquestionably the turning point in the whole war in the West." The Americans could not have closed the gap as General Bradley "[concluded] that the forces available to Maj.- Gen Haislip's xv U.S. corps of Patton's Third army weren't strong enough to close off the German escape route and keep it closed. Thus the whole responsibility for closing the gap devolved on 1st Canadian Army..." (I think I may keep that fact in my back pocket the next time prideful Americans espouse the erroneous belief that they "won the war" and how "without them we'd all be speaking German". Not according to General Bradley!)
I also really appreciated the harshness that Blackburn manages to convey through his writing. It is not fiction—the "good characters" don't always survive. Just like in war, you cannot get attached to people, your comrades. The author often introduces friends and acquaintances with a short and somewhat endearing vignette only to find out later they were killed in a horrific fashion. Blackburn really captures the randomness and injustice of war extremely well.
The Guns of Normandy was a truly unique and impressive read. I bought a combo book ("The Guns of War") that included both The Guns of Normandy and The Guns of Victory, Blackburn's sequel to the former. I am very much looking forward to finishing this gritty, powerful portrayal of Canadian gunners' contribution to ending the war by reading The Guns of Victory. If you can locate a copy of The Guns of Normandy (or The Guns of War) I highly recommend picking it up.
The writing is fantastic. It is raw, brutal, intense and honest. Written in the rather unusual second person point of view, Blackburn masterfully weaves the narrative of a gunner (you) during the battle of Normandy. Since it is written in the second person you are absolutely immersed in the actions of the Canadian gunners. You are experiencing war for the first time along side your fellow soldiers. Blackburn shares short vignettes from officers as well that are extremely interesting which he places at regular intervals throughout the narrative.
I really enjoyed reading about Canadians. I feel like the Canadian contribution is often overlooked when it comes to their efforts in Normandy (as well as in Italy and the Pacific theatre). I appreciate how Blackburn emphasizes Canada's talent, fierceness, resilience and sacrifice. Blackburn describes the largely Canadian role in drawing the main force of German artillery and armour so that the Americans had an easier push through to Paris. Without this Canadian strength and toughness, it is doubtful the American army would have been capable of supporting the French 2nd Armoured Division in liberating Paris. He also describes how significant and important a role 1st Canadian Army played in one of the most decisive and pivotal battles in the war—the closing of the Falaise Gap that entrapped the German army as they frantically tried to escape across the Seine. The author quotes a Sir Brian Horrocks, commander of British 30th Corps: "[The battle of the Falaise Gap was] unquestionably the turning point in the whole war in the West." The Americans could not have closed the gap as General Bradley "[concluded] that the forces available to Maj.- Gen Haislip's xv U.S. corps of Patton's Third army weren't strong enough to close off the German escape route and keep it closed. Thus the whole responsibility for closing the gap devolved on 1st Canadian Army..." (I think I may keep that fact in my back pocket the next time prideful Americans espouse the erroneous belief that they "won the war" and how "without them we'd all be speaking German". Not according to General Bradley!)
I also really appreciated the harshness that Blackburn manages to convey through his writing. It is not fiction—the "good characters" don't always survive. Just like in war, you cannot get attached to people, your comrades. The author often introduces friends and acquaintances with a short and somewhat endearing vignette only to find out later they were killed in a horrific fashion. Blackburn really captures the randomness and injustice of war extremely well.
The Guns of Normandy was a truly unique and impressive read. I bought a combo book ("The Guns of War") that included both The Guns of Normandy and The Guns of Victory, Blackburn's sequel to the former. I am very much looking forward to finishing this gritty, powerful portrayal of Canadian gunners' contribution to ending the war by reading The Guns of Victory. If you can locate a copy of The Guns of Normandy (or The Guns of War) I highly recommend picking it up.
June 2, 2020
This is a well-written book that gives the impression of being an authentic account of a gunner's experience during the battle of Normandy. The author has an ax to grind with "historians who conduct coldblooded analyses and write without emotion of the accomplishments of units and the "fighting qualities" of men while never giving any indication they recognize and understand the frailty of the human spirit and the resolve of all men, regardless of training or background, when forced to live for days without end in a continuing agony of fear, made manageable only by the numbing effects of extreme fatigue," and he sharpens it well with this excellent book.
December 23, 2022
A very good read from the Canadian perspective on the Normandy Campaign
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews