Customer Reviews

NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE: Ste-Mere Eglise, June 1944-The Battle for la Fiere Bridge

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Robert M. Murphy retells his personal experiences during the 82d Airborne Division's airdrop into the Normandy Peninsula. Between June 6th and June 9th, paratroopers held this bridge against horrific mortar & artillery fire, and fierce German counterattacks. Armed with only what they could carry in the airborne drop & a few anti-tank guns recovered from broken gliders, the paratroopers held off two Panzer attacks supported by 200 infantrymen in each of the attacks. Major General Gavin is attributed as saying when the fighting ended "the [Meredet] causeway - some 500 yards - was so thick with bodies you could have walked from end to end without ever touching the ground." This is the story of the men and women who experienced this fierce battle.

The La Fiere bridge is located about 2 miles west of St Mere Eglise. The men of the 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) were assigned the mission of securing this bridge and defending it until relieved. This bridge was one of the few roads that offered a direct path to the exit roads off of Utah Beach. A successful German counter-attack along this road would have delayed the American exit off of this beachhead. The success of the men of the 505 PIR directly contributed to the rapid departure of Utah beach.

The book is laid out into four major sections. First and foremost is an explanation of the battle, written in a proper historical format. The story is laid out in chronological order, using multiple sources to corroborate the actual events of the battle. There are a few interjections of supporting material, such as the mission of the pathfinders. Murphy was a pathfinder, a special paratrooper dropped into a landing zone one day prior to the assault. He carried a homing radar and other signaling aids to mark the correct drop zone for the rest of the paratroopers. This supporting information greatly enhanced the understanding of the book for "legs" [non-paratroopers].

The three subsequent parts of the book are personal recollections of American soldiers; German soldiers; and the French civilians who live through the battle. I emphasize "personal" because in many cases, individuals could only explain what was going on in front of their gun sight, without any understanding of the overall tactical picture.

As a child growing up, my first experience with D Day was the classic movie "The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)". This book sets straight two of the more memorable characters in the movie. Red Buttons portrayed John Steele, a private whose parachute snagged on the steeple of St. Mere Eglise's church. The true story is far more fascinating than what was fictionalized in the movie. The second character was Lt Col Vandervoort, portrayed by John Wayne. Many of the soldiers have fond memories of this outstanding combat commander. These soldiers did not directly fight at La Fiere bridge, but they were all part of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment who fought and died in the area surrounding St. Mere Eglise.

The original version of this book was self-published. With the assistance of a great editor, this book is now clearly organized. The book is well supported with photographs on almost every page. The battle narrative also includes official battle maps prepared by the US Army's cartographic division. These maps perfectly explained the layout of the battle as it unfolded.

For a fictionalized account of these events, I highly recommend Jeff Shaara's "The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II" which includes the exploits of the men of the 505th PIR.

Excellent historical account of the fight by 1/505 PIR, 82d Airborne Division at the La Fiere Causeway by a paratrooper who was there. Highly recommended and an easy read compared to other World War II historical writings. All the way - H-Minus!

What? Another book of WW2, haven't we had more than enough, they keep rolling off the presses almost daily.

But seriously, wait, you don't need to hold this one in your hand more than a short time to know this is one terrific book. For some length of time I have felt we needed a primary (first person) narrative of someone who was there, and saw it all, and can relate it in a manner we can all pretty much experience. As I've said, this is the one. When I received my copy from the The History Book Club I immediately sat down to absorb it.

You will too, if you have any interest in the pathfinders and Normandy, '44.

Semper Fi.

I met Robin Murphy in June 2005 at Yves and Chantal Poisson's home (the Ferme Manoir near the La Fiere Bridge) and listened to him talk of the battle there. There are those who say that the book is incomplete, disjointed, or whatever, but Murphy has a unique and invaluable perspective. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see it from the eyes of a man who was there.

This has been a difficult book to find and was pleased that Casemate decided to reprint one of the best accounts of the fight at La Fiere. Robert Murphy succeeded with writing in a clear and direct style. Very few things in life are as black and white as they were on June 6th. This is one of the greatest stories of the most vicious firefight during the Normandy invasion and is still relatively obscured or given brief mention in most D-Day accounts. Nordyke gives a solid account but Murphy manages to pull together details and provides the definitive story. Bless you Bob Murphy. They broke the mold.

I found this account of the battle very well done. I found the facts concerning this battle for a bridge very interesting, especially as I personaly know three of the soilders who were in the battle.

An incredible story of heroism and accomplishment which happens to be true. The book is very well written and presents troop movements, strategy and the details of battle in a highly readable and enjoyable manner. It proves what the American soldier is capable of in the most adverse circumstances. A very interesting addition to all of the books written about the Normandy invasion.

Excellent book. Anyone who is well read in D Day, knows about the epic battle at la Fiere Bridge. This book gets into the details and the specifics personal accounts.
Great pics

This is a touching book; I've never read details from a first-hand account. These types of books are so important if we are to not only honor those who fought in this war, but also to not forget and let history repeat. The photos are great and it was fitting that I happened to read this on 6/6. I never take my freedom for granted, and I've never failed to appreciate those who have served and died for that freedom.

this book is awesome..makes you feel like you you were there.. the best ww11 book I have read in a long time