The Clay Pigeons of St. Lô

by Glover S. Johns Jr., Joseph Balkoski (Contributor)

Originally published in 1958 and now available for the first time in paperback, this classic of modern military history tells the exciting true story of the fall of St. L", the first major objective of the invading American armies in Normandy in June of 1944. Although St. L" was intended to be taken within days of the landing, stubborn German resistance postponed the town's fall until July 18. The author describes the bloody action that took place in the thirty days in between as he led his battalion dubbed "The Indestructible Clay Pigeons" through the daunting combat.

Genres: History, War, World War II, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Military History, Biography

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1958

Reviews

[Benjamin Drewswood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book overall was good. The ending was satisfying, but i finished wanting more!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was often a tough read. I picked this up in the first instance because while I had a general knowledge of the 29th Infantry Division's experiences on Omaha Beach and into Normandy, it was not a detailed knowledge. In the second instance, my Vietnam era service was in the National Guard, specifically, in the 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment - aka in previous incarnation as "the clay pigeons of St. Lo" - so though separated by a generation and multiple decades, I was reading about my guys so to speak. Glover S. Johns, Jr, was back then Major Johns, the battalion commander, and while he writes this in the third person, the book is his personal memoir from the time he replaced the battalion commander who had brought the 1st Battalion ashore until the battalion secured the town of St. Lo many hard days later. The story is told mostly in a matter of fact manner though not without emotion as he recounts the effect of casualties and loss personally and on the battalion. I think one could safely say that given the casualty rates among both the original members and their replacements, the battalion that occupied St Lo was not the battalion that crossed Omaha Beach on June 6. No attempt is made to conceal the sometimes naive approach of the battalion's members to fighting the Germans, nor costly learning process that the battalion experiences in this campaign. For the reader not schooled on the US Army of the period. There is an appendix that describes the organization and equipment (including arms) of an infantry battalion as well as a glossary of the military terms that appear in the book.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in the third person, Glover Johns tells of his trial as the commander of 1/115 Infantry during the Normandy campaign. Johns tells his version of the story admitting that it is only from his perspective. Its a truthful account. Johns, a division staff officer, was told to take a battalion in the middle of the battle that was fought for a month in a six square mile box.

Johns gives us many lessons: be optimistic when everyone else is not; seek out and talk to your boss, even if that means leaving the front - you must ensure the boss knows what is going on; always...always have a reserve in the attack and defense; keep maneuver very simple; use lots of artillery; and more.

Anyone looking to analyze Ukraine can use this primary source account as a guide. In the introduction Johns said, “One seldom sees much on the modern battlefield.” This account starts with truth and is compelling all the way through.

[Eric Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best account of the European theatre in WW2 I have ever read. Concisely written and entertaining, with even a little bit of satire thrown in. This is Glover Johns personal account of the war which he wrote in third person. You might not have known you wanted to know this, but he gives the reader a great understanding of the command structure of the army. This provides great insight into how the war was fought. Extremely entertaining and highly recommend.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting but the writing style really left something to be desired. By the first 50 pages you can get used to it and then you get caught up enough in the story that it will stop bugging you. It falls right into the truth is stranger than fiction category.

[Travis Tazelaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew. Some of the scenes in this book are difficult to read, but that's war. Some great leadership lessons and leadership failures to learn too. Some have complained about his writing style, you get used to it, but it's not as bad as some would claim.

[Brooks Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it with Jocko Willink in his podcast episode #87 he provides some excellent explanations for those that may not have a great understanding or be able
to follow how Glover explains his combat experience.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy WWII history, but most of my reading involved Aviation and Navy operations. This is a superb account of a very brave leader on the ground, leading his men in the days following the D-Day landings. It is a great read on how The infantry operated at the tactical level. Eye opening!

[Trent England · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief self-portrait of leadership under fire, literally. Worth reading for anyone interested in the Second World War, especially the Normandy campaign, or in leadership.

[Dhruv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible combat memoir written by Glover Johns, who was a hero for no less than Col Hackworth (About Face).

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author starts up the story in Normandy after he has been promoted from Captain of a rifle company (~150 men) to a Major in charge of a battalion (~ 3 rifle companies + heavy weapons). The title of the book is not an obvious witticism until he explains that his battalion was often ordered to make penetrations of the German line without neighboring battalions joining, or that his battalion succeeded in making penetrations while his neighbors were stalled. German counterattacks were then focused on them from many directions, making them feel like clay pigeon targets. To summarize the events, his battalion knocked the Germans around not just because Americans had more firepower and air power, but because his units fought well too. One interesting story I remember was that his unit was hung up in front of a wooded "island" surrounded by fields and defended by Germans. No matter how many times his tanks fired at a machine gun flash from behind a berm, they could not take out the gunner. Only after several hours, after they killed the Germans and seized the position, did they realized why. The German gunners had rigged up a pully system that let them aim and fire the gun from several meters away, so they were not endangered. Clever.

[Nat]

This is an extremely readable account of a month in the life of an infantry battalion fighting through dense hedgerow country in Normandy, written in a distinctively folsky American style (it contrasts nicely with the Neue Sachlichkeit of Storm of Steel and the thoroughly English ironic tone of Goodbye to All That).

The most striking impression this narrative made on me is of the importance of supporting artillery, and the deadliness of mortar fire.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johns was the commander of the 1st Battalion, 115th infantry, 29th division in the fighting in Normandy. He tells the story of the battalion over a 30 day period of intense fighting after D-day. I have never read a book like this in which a participant of history gave his view of the general conditions, and day-to day fighting.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty ground level view of the hedge row fighting with the 29th Infantry Division in Normandy. I read this book years ago and was impressed but I never saw another copy, until I recently located another one at the local library. I'm glad they reprinted it. Worth reading.

[Inknscroll]

When I saw this book recommended in the "Bookmarks" magazine, I was drawn to its unique title, "The Clay Pigeons of St. Lo." I'll probably read this book soon. (It was recommended in one of the "Bookmarks" magazine's issues of either: (Nov/ Dec 2007) or (Jan/ Feb 2008).)

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book about an infantry unit I have read. It is concise and shows the struggles of a rifle company with compelling acumen.