D-Day Through German Eyes: How the Wehrmacht Lost France

by Jonathan Trigg

Berlin knew the D-Day invasion was coming, so how did the Germans view the impending invasion and campaign? Previous histories have focused on the "clash of the generals" but this battle would be fought by divisional and regimental commanders: the "German D-Day colonels" upon whom the real business of trying to defeat the invasion fell—it was they and their men who somehow held Normandy for 10 whole weeks. Their men included Waffen-SS stormtroopers through to bewildered teenagers, old men, "recycled" invalids, and even anti-communist Eastern legions. Told through the words of the veterans.

Genres: History, War, Nonfiction, World War II, Military History, European History, Germany

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 15, 2021

Reviews

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wonder how this is going to turn out. I mean X through Y's eyes tells something about the perspective. The individual perspective. The one that notices there is no toilet paper. "The Wehrmacht" is one of the major gods of the deficient products of the governmental diploma mills. Accordingly, The Wehrmacht is one person and has a will of its own. And it is going to be one hard argument to prove that the Germans "lost" France instead of Americans "wining" it.

[Daniel Pérez Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnifico

[Gary Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trigg paints himself an SS apologist and Wehraboo.

[Emmanuel Gustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is primarily a framework for the recollections of German veterans of the battle of Normandy in 1944, created by a former British infantry officer who has published a series of books on the German Wehrmacht and especially on non-Germans who served in its ranks. An aspect that matters, as by 1944 Germany was running out of German soldiers, and solved the problem by recruiting foreigners with a variety of means and motivations.

The structure and notes give the impression that Trigg was able to interview a few veterans, of which the most important appears to have been Rudolf von Ribbentrop, and then compiled the rest for a variety of secondary sources. An approach that is defensible but runs the risks of being biased by the statements of a few. Of the book of the same name by Holger Eckhertz, who is cited rather a lot by a Trigg, the authors admits that there have been doubts as to its veracity but he is accepting it just because "in the author's opinion... these interviews ring true", which is dangerous reasoning indeed. Of other events, such as the often-told story of Wittmann's action at Viller-Bocage, Trigg also admits that controversy surrounds them, but doesn't bother to discuss it. He tends to stick with the popularised story.

On the positive side, there is what appears to be a good overview of the German forces in the Normandy region on D-Day, their composition, the origins of the soldiers serving in them, their commanders, and their fumbling response to the invasion.

These recollections are interesting, and there is value in having the German perspective on the battle compiled in one place. But it doesn't tell us much that is new, or give a fresh perspective. Trigg makes an effort to extrapolate a higher level of analysis, but this doesn't convince. Otherwise, this is a very readable book, and that is a not insignificant merit. However, the author's lack of a critical attitude to the stories he repeats, should make the reader cautious.

[Andrés CM · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Aunque pueda dar la sensación de que ya queda poco espacio para aporta algo nuevo sobre el Día D, una batalla que no ha dejado de llamar la atención del público desde que se combatió, los historiadores no dejan de buscar nuevas facetas y dimensiones de la misma. Prueba de ello es el libro de Trigg. Este antiguo oficial del Ejército británico nos ofrece una mirada íntima de los soldados que la combatieron a través de un relato ameno a la vez que dinámico sobre las experiencias de guerra alemanas..."
RESEÑA COMPLETA: https://atrapadaenunashojasdepapel.bl...

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

And here it is, my final book of 2021, book number 120.

I actually bought this for my Dad as his Christmas present and he devoured it in about 2 days, so I thought I could squeeze it in before New Years even if I found it dull. As it was I was forcing myself to read (and may have skim read some passages) but I finished it with about 10 hours to go so that's good.

I think if you had more knowledge around the D-Day events then this would be a really fascinating read, but all I knew about D-Day prior to this was what I saw (and read) in Band of Brothers, and that beaches were involved (it has been well over a decade but this might explain the C GCSE I got in Modern World History...).

It can be very interesting to read about famous events through the eyes of the 'enemy' - for example a few years back I bought A Vietcong Memoir by Truong Nhu Tang and it was so interesting seeing the events of the Vietnam war from the Vietcong perspective. I learnt (and have since forgotten) a lot about the Vietnamese politics and lifestyle from that book, and I think I was hoping for something similar here.

D-Day Through German Eyes is written by someone who, I think, wasn't even born when the D-Day landings happened, and as such there is an element of seperation that the Vietcong Memoir book did not have. Whilst Trigg does draw extensively from letters and reports from people experiencing the D-Day landings, it still feels emotionally lacking to me.

As I said earlier in this review, I think if you had a greater knowledge of D-Day then you'd find this interesting as I am sure it fills some gaps in people's knowledge. It's one of those books where maybe the knowledge I have gleaned from this will come in useful at some point, but it isn't a book I'd reread again.

[Andy Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting change of perspective on a much-discussed campaign. Looks at what was happening on the "other" side in Normandy. Fascinating on how close the bad guys were to at least partially frustrating the landings, and exactly how. Explains some of the political and administrative reasons for failures in the Nazi defence, and goes into some detail about the nature of the forces trying vainly to hold too long a front with random captured weapons from conquered nations - like artillery using nineteen different types of gun needing eleven different types of shell.
Writer has an ex-soldier's perspective, which is relevant here. Does it occasionally drift into admiration for the Nazi soldiers (who I've already flat out called the bad guys)? Perhaps, if I'm honest. Though there's also the inevitable humanising of reading first-hand accounts, even from Wehrmacht soldiers. And the evils and crimes of the Nazi regime are made clear.
There are good portraits of the key players among the German command and in the front lines - e.g. Dietrich Kraiss, who disobeyed Hitler's orders, brought his division up and almost stalled the landings at Omaha and Gold. Or Edgard Feuchtinger, a weasel of a man who avoided actually commanding his forces, instead staying behind the lines with his girlfriend, and when he was sentenced to death for corruption and incompetence, fled to surrender to the Allies. He survived the war and later spent years passing West German secrets to the KGB.

[James Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well crafted and thoughtful narrative on the German experience of D-Day and beyond. Trigg is particularly adept at challenging the myth of inherent German superiority in Normandy, as well as getting across the sheer efficiency of allied logistics.

In addition, the seemingly infinite use of air warfare is emphasised by Trigg, and makes it easy for one to imagine the strain that this would have put on the Germans. Whilst Trigg does have a tendency to overuse quotes, they nevertheless do often provide a tangible insight into the German’s inevitable suffering and the poor state of the Wehrmacht come 1944


“Ike said of the pocket:
‘The battlefield at Falaise was unquestionably one of the greatest killing fields of any of the war areas. Forty eight hours after the closing of the gap I was conducted through it on foot, to encounter scenes that could only be described by Dante. It was literally possible to walk for hundreds of yards at a time, stepping on nothing but dead and decaying flesh

[James Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting account of the German experience of the D-Day battle. The text makes it clear that by 1944 the German army was a shadow of its former self, having been bled white on the Russian Front, being dependent for much of its manpower on foreign 'volunteers'. The contributions from Rudolf von Ribbentrop makes of clear that even his elite division was dependent on Hiwis. There is some doubts about the veracity of some of the previously published interviews that the author has relied but bearing that in mind this is a very interesting book.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, though for me a it hard to keep up with all the people featured in it. Fascinating accounts of Dday and its aftermath and the sheer horror of war. Perhaps there could have been more accounts for those experiencing it and less explanations of the events leading to those comments but well worth reading nonetheless.

[Derek Nudd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is better than I expected. Trigg's background as an infantry officer makes him an informed observer and he has tracked down some elderly survivors of the conflict, or their offspring, for a view from the 'other side'. A quick scan through the references suggests a reliance on secondary rather than primary documentary sources, but still a valuable insight.

[Sophie Cimon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book as a souvenir in London. It was really interesting to learn about the other side of Things. I really enjoy the témoignage of soldiers, people who were there. It really put Things in perspective. It’s hard to see what they went through. It makes you ser the German Army juste as regular dudes who went through hell.

[Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that humanises the soldiers on both sides, but particularly the Germans. It largely follows the usual reasons given for the Allied success (and German failure) but challenges them on occasion. Interesting to read about the events largely from the view of individual soldiers rather than at a larger abstract scale.

[Commander Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read of anything from the German POV. How did they manage? Why wasn't it obvious, fighting on three fronts, shrinking resources etc that a negotiated peace was an option. I'll have to order my thoughts. But the state of the Luftwaffe, fairly fundamental stuff.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very readable and interesting. I have read many books about DDay but this is the only one from the Germans' point of view. Learnt a lot. For example, I had no idea that many of the German soldiers in Normandy were not German at all - there were Russians, Poles, Czechs, etc.

[Seán McCotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Brilliantly researched and totally revelatory. Tells the reader not just WHY Hitler lost France, but HOW. The sheer folly of Nazi ambitions in the West and the devastation that was wrought.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book on the other side of the war. Would definitely recommend reading. It shows points of view of German soldiers and comparisons of allied technology and tactics verses German.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on D-Day once one becomes accustomed to the many names and ranks of the participants. Once again, the author illustrates the human cost of war and its affects on all involved.

[Mark Salmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read from a different point of view and links films to the battles . One for history lovers .

[Colin Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Very well researched and written. A must for anyone interested in WW2 in Europe

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

History is written by the victors: in this book the vanquished get the chance to give their side of the story.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant read filled with wonderful quotes from participants of the battle.

I learned a lot reading this and it was thoroughly enjoyable all the way through.

[Amphitrite66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little detail rich because I'm not an expert, and I couldn't keep names straight, and I didn't understand English colloquialisms, but otherwise very good

[Ben Hodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible accounts from the D day landings through the normally forgotten about German perspective.

[Cronicadelibros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoy traigo una lectura distinta dentro de mi recorrido por libros sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial. La mayoría de obras escritas desde el final del conflicto han sido narradas desde la perspectiva del bando aliado, con el enfoque del vencedor y centradas en sus operaciones militares. Dentro de este marco, el Día D es uno de los episodios más analizados. De los libros que he leído, destacan el del general Eisenhower, con una visión estrictamente militar de las operaciones aliadas; El Día D de Stephen E. Ambrose; o The Normandy Landings del general Jean Compagnon.
Para romper con esta tendencia habitual de contar la historia desde el punto de vista del vencedor, hoy traigo El Día D, la batalla de Normandía vista por los alemanes.
Lo más interesante de este libro no es solo el cambio de perspectiva que plantea, sino también su enfoque en las fuentes. Mientras que la visión de los altos oficiales alemanes ya ha sido ampliamente documentada en biografías y memorias, esta obra pone el foco en los soldados rasos y suboficiales que vivieron el desembarco en primera línea. A través de sus testimonios, el autor reconstruye una realidad pocas veces explorada y desmonta varios mitos creados por ambos bandos sobre el desarrollo de la batalla.
El libro estructura su relato en distintos capítulos que abarcan los días previos al desembarco, detallando la estrategia defensiva alemana a lo largo de la costa atlántica y la composición de las tropas en Normandía. Aunque el imaginario colectivo asocia al ejército alemán con una fuerza homogénea y altamente disciplinada, la realidad era muy distinta. Muchas de sus divisiones estaban formadas por soldados veteranos combinados con tropas procedentes de territorios ocupados, sometidas a procesos de germanización forzada. Entre estas filas se encontraban checos, rusos y balcánicos, además de levas de hombres mayores de 40 años y militares heridos en el frente oriental, incapacitados para un combate de alta intensidad. A estos se sumaban reemplazos inexpertos, muchos de ellos adolescentes de 17 y 18 años, lo que afectaba la moral y operatividad de las unidades.
A estas dificultades humanas se añadían serias limitaciones logísticas. Salvo las divisiones de élite, la mayoría de las unidades carecían de suficiente motorización y dependían del uso de caballos y mulas para sus desplazamientos, lo que las volvía vulnerables y reducía su capacidad de respuesta. Además, las unidades de defensa del Muro Atlántico no contaban con un armamento estandarizado, sino que utilizaban una combinación de material alemán y armas capturadas de ejércitos derrotados, lo que dificultaba tanto el mantenimiento como el abastecimiento de municiones.
Uno de los aspectos más sobrecogedores del relato es la descripción en primera persona del dominio aéreo aliado y sus consecuencias para las tropas alemanas. La superioridad aérea enemiga hacía prácticamente imposible cualquier movimiento diurno sin exponerse a bombardeos constantes, dejando a las unidades alemanas en una posición de desventaja extrema. En este contexto, el libro también explora las diferencias estratégicas entre los ejércitos británico y alemán, analizando cómo, pese a la pérdida constante de hombres y material, las fuerzas alemanas lograron resistir con fiereza, y si en realidad la tan alardeada superioridad aérea fue tan efectiva.
Los problemas estructurales del ejército alemán se hicieron evidentes desde las primeras horas del Día D. Errores estratégicos de algunos comandantes facilitaron el avance aliado, mientras que la movilidad de las tropas alemanas, ya de por sí limitada, se volvió aún más precaria con el paso de los días. Sin suficientes vehículos y bajo la amenaza constante de la superioridad aérea enemiga, muchos soldados se vieron obligados a recorrer largas distancias a pie para reorganizarse o reforzar posiciones clave en la batalla por Caen y Saint-Lô.
Otro de los aspectos más relevantes del libro es el desmontaje de mitos en torno a la derrota en Normandía, tanto los creados por los aliados como los promovidos por los propios alemanes. Se analiza por qué el Muro Atlántico, diseñado por Hitler como una supuesta barrera infranqueable, resultó ineficaz en una guerra moderna, donde las fortificaciones estáticas no podían hacer frente a una estrategia de desembarco bien coordinada. Además, el autor cuestiona la versión simplificada que atribuye la derrota únicamente a la famosa decisión de "no despertar a Hitler", demostrando que los errores tácticos en el propio campo de batalla fueron igualmente determinantes.
A través de una investigación exhaustiva, el libro rescata del olvido fallos en la coordinación de las tropas, problemas logísticos y decisiones tácticas equivocadas que debilitaron aún más la capacidad defensiva alemana. Más allá de la abrumadora superioridad material de los aliados, el relato evidencia cómo estos errores internos fueron clave en el desenlace de la batalla. De no haberse producido, el curso de la Segunda Guerra Mundial podría haber sido distinto.

[Kabaal van Napels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging read about the German experience

“D-Day Through German Eyes: How the Wehrmacht Lost France” by Jonathan Trigg does what it says on the tin. It provides a viewpoint of an often-overlooked German perspective on D-Day and the subsequent Normandy campaign in the English-speaking world. My initial scepticism to read another book about one of the best-known events in World War 2, was unnecessary as the book turned out to be an engaging and at times a revealing read.

The writer has done a good job of balancing personal stories with a broader context, illustrating how individual experiences fit into the larger picture of Germany’s military situation & challenges in France in the summer of 1944. The stories of the soldiers and officers caught on the receiving end show the psychological impact but also offer a humanizing take on the war that is typically told from an Allied perspective. In addition, although “D-Day Through German Eyes” does not contain many new elements, the analysis of the wider context creates a clear picture of the overwhelming odds the Germans faced and the inevitability of an Allied victory.

In summary, I can recommend “D-Day Through German Eyes” for anyone interested in World War II, especially those who want to explore the German perspective on the Normandy campaign.