Divided on D-Day: How Conflicts and Rivalries Jeopardized the Allied Victory at Normandy

by Edward E. Gordon, David Ramsay

In anticipation of the 75th anniversary of D-Day comes this fresh perspective on the Normandy invasion -- -the beginning of the end of World War II. The book highlights the conflicting egos, national rivalries, and professional abilities of the principal D-Day commanders who planned and executed the OVERLORD Operation and its aftermath. Two historians, one American and one British, show how lack of cooperation and bad decisions lengthened the war, increased casualties, and allowed the later Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.
From their in-depth analysis of past D-Day literature, primary and archival sources, the authors provide insightful answers to the many controversies that have long surrounded the OVERLORD campaign. Among the questions addressed are: What caused the two-month delay for the Allied breakout from the Normandy beachhead. Why did the bulk of the German army escape from the Falaise Pocket? Who stopped Patton's August 1944 advance into Germany? Why did it take so long to open the Port of Antwerp needed for securing the required supplies for the Allied advance into Germany?
The evidence presented in this book makes it clear that the problems raised by these questions and many other difficulties could have been avoided if the Allied commanders had been less contentious, a factor that sometimes led to catastrophic battlefield outcomes.
Complete with maps that illustrate the campaign's progression and photographs of the commanders and the forbidding battlefield terrain, this new examination of the war in Europe makes a major contribution to our understanding of the decision-making behind these pivotal historic events.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

461 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Tim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great detail on the little known issues of DDay

Most all of what Americans have been taught about the DDay invasion is the greatness of its daring and success. This book shows what could have been and why. Giants of history are shown to be the men that they were. A sometimes difficult read, due to the detail of armies, groups, forces, commands, etc. Overall, however, a great book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes reading history can be dry. Not this read. I learned so much about D-Day: the invasion, the military leaders, the logistics, the cracks in the plans. You begin to see how much hangs in the balance during a battle and a war. And now I know what a 'bocage' is.

[Peggy Maniates · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an historian and Director of a Military museum I highly recommend this book. It is well researched and documented. This book now sits on my desk for easy access.

[Simon Mee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divided on D-Day is an operational summary of secondary sources with a dose of Monday morning quarterbacking. It’s fun enough without being especially revelationary.

The strongest element of Divided on D-Day is when the authors set out the individuals and their ability to get on with others. It is a strong explanatory factor for the disputes that arose. The availability of key players is also a factor, such as Ramsay being absent when Arnhem was prioritised over Antwerp. Mongomery’s difficulties within the chain of command are reasonably well documented - I am open to opposing views but that does appear to be a major problem. Another part dealt with early in the book is how the different strategic visions of the United States and Britain were incompletely resolved, which had flow on effects to the conduct of the operations.

On the operational/tactical commentary, I am constrained to shrug my shoulders. The overview is light and breezy, primarily relying on secondary sources. Further, such is the movement of time that one of their primary sources, being Patton’s diary, has now had its veracity questioned (it appears his wife granted Patton a posthumous omniscience when editing his entries). Divided by D-Day also includes commentary by participants on each side that if things had been done differently, the results would have been more favourable for the Allies. I would be careful on relying on commentary made from a distance, even by commanders whose own perspectives are actually narrower than it may appear, but feel free to make your own judgements.

While the book does try to spread the credit/blame between the high command, the core of the book are the competing plans and demands of Patton and Montgomery. Divided on D-Day is a big fan of the former. I am not going to argue the point one way or the other, more note that is something to be aware of when considering this book

It is also fair to mention that the swing of opinion post publication of Divided on D-Day is that British forces faced significantly more well armoured opposition, which they pinned and wore down to allow the Americans to eventually break out. Perhaps with a dose of their own omniscience, the authors do pre-empt this by arguing that (a) the key fulcrum was Caen; and (b) if Montgomery had provided sufficient forces to take it on D-Day, the subsequent campaign would have unfolded very differently. The authors do have a good case that it was a D-Day objective, thus any suggestions by Montgomery to suggest that battle unfolded to his plans should be viewed with scepticism. Regardless of that, was Caen ever achievable though? I consider that is a tough row to hoe in a book that is written was a 30,000 feet perspective and would see that point as a conversation starter for more detailed analysis.

This is a perfectly fine book, and the relatively low rating is my standard World War II history discount.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent summary of the D-Day leaders (Eisenhower, Ramsey, Bradley, Patton, Montgomery, etc.) and how the personalities, egos, and politics got in the way of ending the war in late 1944. The 30 maps are wonderful additions and aided understanding the various tactics and maneuvers that were planned and succeeded - or didn't succeed (think Arnhem: "A Bridge Too Far"). The authors didn't drill down (i.e. unit C, Co A, Battalion D, XXX Division, etc.) in detail but the excellent photos added depth to a terrific read on D-Day and why it almost failed. For the history buff, this is a must read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on D-Day; can see how it all unraveled.