What do you think?
Rate this book
The Day the Devils Dropped In: The 9th Parachute Battalion in Normandy - D-Day to D+6: The Merville Battery to the Château St Côme
This WWII history presents a vivid chronicle of the British Army’s 9th Parachute Battalion and their operations in Normandy based on survivor interviews.
The first hours and days following the Allied invasion of Normandy were perhaps the most crucial moment of the Second World War. The Day The Devils Dropped In examines the pivotal role played by the 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in the first week of the landings. These brave British soldiers were tasked with neutralizing the mighty Merville Battery, and capturing Le Plein and the Chateau St. Côme on the Breville Ridge. Failure by to achieve any of these objectives could have meant disaster for Operation Overlord—and catastrophe for the Allied war effort.
In his quest to uncover what transpired in the early days of the landings, historian Neil Barber tracked down and interviewed surviving participants in the operation. In The Day the Devils Dropped In , he presents the full story, largely in the very words of those who lived through the experience. Enhanced by wartime photographs throughout, this revealing chronicle is a fine tribute to those whose contribution must never be forgotten.
The first hours and days following the Allied invasion of Normandy were perhaps the most crucial moment of the Second World War. The Day The Devils Dropped In examines the pivotal role played by the 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in the first week of the landings. These brave British soldiers were tasked with neutralizing the mighty Merville Battery, and capturing Le Plein and the Chateau St. Côme on the Breville Ridge. Failure by to achieve any of these objectives could have meant disaster for Operation Overlord—and catastrophe for the Allied war effort.
In his quest to uncover what transpired in the early days of the landings, historian Neil Barber tracked down and interviewed surviving participants in the operation. In The Day the Devils Dropped In , he presents the full story, largely in the very words of those who lived through the experience. Enhanced by wartime photographs throughout, this revealing chronicle is a fine tribute to those whose contribution must never be forgotten.
696 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2002
50 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 12, 2023
Excellent first person accounts. There are other more systematic accounts of the battle but the focus on 9th Bn after Merville Battery is excellent and the personal accounts make this book unique and beyond compare.
June 11, 2024
A brilliant way of retelling the battle through the eyes of individual accounts.
February 9, 2015
My initial reaction to this book wasn't entirely positive as the narrative is a bit disjointed since the author chose to use quoted veteran interviews to tell the story throughout the book, rather than a typical author's narrative. I understand that this was done out of a reverence for the veterans and also because it was essentially primary-source material being given to the reader without much interference by the author. Once you get past this method of delivery, however, the book stands up well and conveys a great deal of information about the various battles discussed, hence my up-grade from 3-starts to 4 upon completing it.
There is a great deal more to the history of British Airborne units in WW2 than the battle for Arnhem, which tends to always take first position in most people's minds. This coverage of their actions in Normandy and Taylor Downing's excellent "Night Raid" describing the development of the airborne and their raid on the Bruneval Radar installation well before D-Day, are important chapters in the airborne's history, all well worth your time.
There is a great deal more to the history of British Airborne units in WW2 than the battle for Arnhem, which tends to always take first position in most people's minds. This coverage of their actions in Normandy and Taylor Downing's excellent "Night Raid" describing the development of the airborne and their raid on the Bruneval Radar installation well before D-Day, are important chapters in the airborne's history, all well worth your time.
February 2, 2015
Excellent book. Shows what its' really like amidst the chaos of battle.
February 24, 2015
En præcis og rystende beskrivelse af 9th Parachute Battalions indsats i Normandiet fra 6. - 12. juni 1944.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews