The Mortarmen [Paperback]

Michael Connelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2006

The Mortarmen is an untold story of world War II. The book details the fighting history of the men of the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion. The battalion was armed with the powerful 4.2 mortars and following its landing on Utah Beach on D-Day fought in every major engagement in France, Belgium, and Germany.

The 4.2 mortar battalions were the most sought after fire support units in Europe. The 87th was in combat for 326 days and the book follows each of the four companies as they participate in the Battle for Normandy, the fight for Cherbourg, the battles of Aachen and the Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, and finally the crossing of the Rhine and the final victory in Germany.

The book contains excepts of diaries and quotations from the men who fought in the unit and from some of the German soldiers who opposed them. It is a story of heroism, tragedy, and the triumph of soldiers fighting for freedom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412049024
• ISBN-13: 978-1412049023
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing historical account, June 10, 2006

By 

The hycodude (WNY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mortarmen (Paperback)

Dick Sebian, a member of the 87th, lent me his personal copy of this book. Dick is 81 years old now and remembers details and dates like they happened last week. I would imagine that if you had actually lived through this like he has, you would never forget it. He is a great guy and one would never know what he went through at such a young age.

I don't think anybody proof-read this book because there are many grammatical mistakes, but that doesn't change the content. Connelly does a nice job of chronicling the action of A, B, C, and D Companies from D-Day through the end of the war in Germany. The day by day format helps the reader follow the story without confusion. I also never realized what an effective weapon the 4.2 mortar was.

The horrors these men lived through are something most people (including myself) cannot even begin to imagine. Mr. Sebian and the other members of the 87th are truly members of the Greatest Generation. I am thankful for them and the other veterans of WWII who, as Connelly states, "saved the world." This book ought to be required reading in American history classes so everyone can understand what they did.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book, great read, July 16, 2005

By 

pcrn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mortarmen (Paperback)

a fascinating WWII book that takes us into the hearts and minds of the men who lived it. There are parts in the book that are so well detailed that I felt as if i were actually fighting right there alongside the men of the 87th. This book is a must read for anyone who enjoys a great war epic or is facinated with american history. 5 stars.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, January 16, 2006

By 

Julian G. Brunt - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mortarmen (Paperback)

"An outstanding book, factual and taken from the guys who were there, and got the job done."
Col. Julian G. Brunt, USA Ret.
1st Lt., 87th CMB, A Company, 1st Platoon