Customer Reviews

The Duel For France, 1944: The Men And Battles That Changed The Fate Of Europe

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The Duel for France, 1944-The Men and Battles that Changed the Fate of Europe by Martin Blumenson, 2000, 432 pages (soft cover)
This easily read book never lets the reader forget that flesh and blood-soldiers, led by officers with human doubts, limitations, and determination conducted the Allies' breakout and pursuit from their initial Normandy lodgment to the German border during the summer of 1944. Martin Blumenson shows us the conduct of war. He shares command pressures and responsibilities, as well as the combat soldier's hopes and fears. The more familiar characters-Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, Montgomery and their German counterparts are there. However, unlike most popular writings, opposing corps commanders also come sharply into focus. These particular individuals have been generally overlooked in popular writings {official as well as unofficial), in favor of regimental, divisional, army, and army group commanders. Blumenson succeeds admirably in correcting this imbalance. This is a masterly and dramatic military narrative in the great tradition-and a moving human record of a turning point in history. Its recent publication in paperback (2000) shows its enduring value.
This book was originally published less than a year after the author published the official World War II Army history of this same period of time-Breakout and Pursuit (1962). That official history represents the definitive account Operation Cobra and the Allied pursuit across France. The Duel for France, is similar in scope to the official volume but different in treatment. This is not simply a short version of Breakout and Pursuit. Rather, the author created a new book, no more definitive but more readable. He raised the level of treatment and provided a much more personalized account of the higher-level Allied and German commanders in action. In my opinion, this was because as a private author-instead of a government employee-Blumenson was able to avoid the desiccation process associated with the staffing and approval of official histories. I recommend this book to all those interested in the study of the military profession.

Blumenson's book is still the standard operational account of the Allied breakout from Normandy and the pursuit across France. This important book is now again available, and I highly recommend that it be in everyone's libraray. For those serious about military history, the official Breakout and Pursuit (also by Blumenson) will provide more detail (and documentation), but for those looking for a solid operational history in a readable form, this is the book to get.

Blumenson chooses to focus primarily on army and corps commanders, with an extention to divisional command as needed. This is a nice focus, as it provides a look at the much of the "big picture" without losing sight of the actual combat taking place. With this focus, Blumenson also provides a good look at communications, logistics, planning, as well as inter-Allied politics. The portion on the liberation of Paris is particularly interesting, more due to the political concerns than anything (even to the point of American commanders having to tolerate insubordination from Leclerc's Free French Armored Division).

The only problem with the book (hence 4 stars) is that the British/Commonwealth/Canadian contributions are very much sidelined. This should not be surprising, as the book is an outgrowth of Blumenson's contribution to the official U.S. history, but writing as a private citizen, he should have broadened his view, especially given the title of the book which does not hint at such a narrow focus.

This is an excellent account of the War in France, accounting for virtually all aspects of that battle in World War II. It is a perfect level of detail, neither too much nor too little. The only drawback is that it is woefully short of maps. I purchased a copy of the Michelin World War II map to use while I read the book and this made it easily comprehensible. You also could use the West Point World War II maps volume. Either way, get the book and a map and prepare to enjoy yourself.

Duel for France is a solid narrative of the events of 1944, from the Normandy beaches to the very borders of Nazi Germany. The German and Allied perspectives are both represented, and the book is richly detailed. The work is hindered, however, by a lack of endnotes, some questionable grammar, and a writing style that is somtimes sluggish, sometimes rushed. Perhaps the most glaring defect is the book's near total reluctance to discuss, in any real depth, the naval and air aspects of the invasion and subsequent operations. That said, Duel for France is still a good read for those interested in D-Day and the liberation of France.