Battle for Mortain: The 30th Infantry Division Saves the Breakout, August 7-12, 1944

by Alwyn Featherston

From its very first page, the American infantryman is the hero of this magnificent account of men at war. Specifically, the heroes are a handful of National Guardsmen of the Carolinas' 30th Infantry Division who, for five days in August, 1944, withstood the full fury of a massive Nazi counterattack that threatened to cut-off and defeat the Allies' breakout from the Normandy beaches.

Genres: World War II

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 1998

About the author

Alwyn Featherston was a native of North Carolina. A Duke graduate, in 1974 he joined the Durham Sun, an afternoon paper, then moved to the Durham Herald-Sun and served as a beat writer covering UNC, Duke and N.C. State. Among his three published books was “Tobacco Road,” a 2006 “History of the Most Intense Backyard Rivalries in Sports.”

He left the Durham Herald-Sun in 2005.

In addition to his work as a sports reporter Mr. Featherston was a military historian.

Mr. Featherston passed away on November 5, 2018 due to complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and heart surgery.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am grateful for the author having taken the time to write this book. My father fought in this battle. I have a copy of my Dad's citation of being awarded the Silver Star, signed by General Leland Hobbs. I never knew at what battle Dad had earned this medal until I found this book. The citation said he had demonstrated bravery on August 7th, 1944 in France. It doesn't say where, but Edward J. Bosch, Jr. was part of the 30th Infantry Division, 113th Artillery Regiment.

I wish the author could have gathered more first person accounts of the battle, even some German soldiers stories. Nevertheless, I appreciate all the stories of bravery of these young soldiers. My Dad was 24 at the time.

[Rob Melich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent military history of little known WW2 battle.