Normandy 1944: A Young Rifleman's War [Paperback]

Dick Stodghill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2006

This is the Battle of Normandy, neither glamorized nor sanitized, as seen from ground level during the bloody summer of 1944—the personal experiences of an 18-year-old 4th Infantry Division rifleman who joined his company shortly after D-Day. He quickly came to admire and respect the men of G Company, then was close by as one by one many of them died during the horrific fighting in the fields and streets of a normally beautiful and tranquil land. Here are the realities of that war: opening the casualty blanket rolls, seeing the dead being buried in mattress covers, the sounds, the smells and the fears of men in infantry combat. A glimpse, too, of the boys who fought the battles of World War II as they grew up or matured during the Great Depression, the rigors of infantry basic training, life in England in the weeks leading up to D-Day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 299 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (July 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1424149134
• ISBN-13: 978-1424149131
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,912,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, Hard-To-Put-Down Story, January 30, 2007

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Normandy 1944: A Young Rifleman's War (Paperback)

As I think about this book that I've just read I am struck by several rather random, disconnected thoughts.

First there's the writing style. Mr. stodghill is an accomplished writer, and it comes through wonderfully. Sample from the first couple of pages: 'On long summer days we sometimes played at war. Americans versus Germans, a replay fo the war fought by our fathers two decades earlier.' And a paragraph later, 'Curly-haired Lewis Gorkowski died on a battlefield in Italy, lanky Harry McKitrick on another in Germany....'

Second, my stint in the Army was twenty years later clearly said that most things never changed. They woke up one day and were told, 'Today you get your overseas shots.' Stand in line, one in the left, one in the right, seventeen shots. The next day they are told, 'Today you get your overseas shots.' 'But we got them yesterday.' 'They lost the records.' Seventeen more shots. My experience was different, but only in minor details.

Third, Mr. Stodghill went into Normandy shortly after D-Day. The life of a replacement joining an established unit had to be miserable. The vets didn't want to make friends with the newbies. It was then too hard to watch them die and they were too weary to care. The new replacements were alone, alone he was led up to his unit as they were engaged in a fire fight.

Finally, this book is published by one of the new self publishing companies, not one of the big major publishers. This is probably the only way that this book could get published. Mr. Stodghill is not famous. His story is not going to get a big bidget promotional campaign. It is unlikely that this will be made into a movie.

It's good that such publishers have become available, as this is a captivating hard-to-put-down story, well told and well worth your time reading.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real version, October 30, 2006

By 

Barbara Korsness "Author of novels and avid r... (Lake Mary, FL. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Normandy 1944: A Young Rifleman's War (Paperback)

This is not a Hollywood version of a WWII story, or a glorified historical version of events. It is the way it really happened.
This is a down to earth in the trenches account of what it was like for an infantryman in the thick of battle in Normandy in 1944. Although our troops were there to fight for our country, their main goal was to stay alive during a horrendous time.
The author is an experienced writer. He puts you in the middle of the action. I felt like I was right there. You can feel the fear; hear the exploding shells and gunfire and, see the death and destruction all around. It makes you wonder about the insanity of war. It also makes you realize that although the enemy must be destroyed they were men with families and dreams too.
Many young people today do not realize the sacrifices of their forefathers. When they complain that they can't find a parking place close to the door of Wal-Mart and have to walk the extra distance they should read how far the troops had to walk. When they complain that the fast food restaurant forgot to put tomatoes on their burger, they should realize what those fighting men had to eat day after day. If a person today complains they are tired and have to work overtime, they should learn how the men in the thick of battle received no sleep or break even when beyond exhaustion. I totally enjoyed this reading experience and recommend the book to all.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REAL TO REEL LIFE...!!!!! "Normandy 1944"....., December 8, 2006

By 

Bhawana Verma "www.freewebs.com/Bhawanaverma/" (Los Angeles,CA.USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Normandy 1944: A Young Rifleman's War (Paperback)

I am very nervous to write about such a great author....

Dick Stodghill's "Normandy 1944" is the most undeniable story of a rifleman in combat. Dick gives the glimpses of August 1944. As a student of International student's perspective this is surely a rare book. What Dick writes as an author and his chronicle....This is his book "Normandy 1944: A Young Rifleman's War" . Dick's eyes saw all those ,who were downward on the soil warfare . I felt this book not only a book on history. It is wrapped with the poignant and devout look within the compassion and intelligence of an 18-year-old warrior...

I can say that Dick's book is unexpected, appealing and based on observable facts. While reading you will be trapped on many places where this author was in Normandy and all set to face the German army. He has seen every jeopardy of his life where he has taken it entirely. He has witnessed the injured soldiers, friends blood and mass destruction every where.

Dick has no doubt the best memory and in his book is seen clearly. His people and their allied reminiscences are as unmarked in his mind.

I really wonder that when this author was facing this harsh life of war and destruction....Did he ever think to write it...?

Why the myth prevails in this world that soldiers are hard hearted. While reading Dick's book I always had Dick's picture in my mind. When I was new to this board I first went to see who is Dick.?Don't know why. I was learning those days how to make posts...and truly speaking through his short visits and rare posts and blunt comments. I thought that God!!!!!This author is really rude. I am sorry Dick...but your book has changed my mind and many views. You are the most insightful and touching person on this board..