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on January 20, 2015
There is a lot to like about this book. It's a relatively quick read compared to most fact based books about WWII. It's very well researched (as are all Stephen Ambrose books), and it's very easy to follow most of the time. The story is profoundly interesting, about a group of elite British soldiers who dropped into enemy territory on gliders and held arguably the most important bridge in the European theater on D Day. The book is a little older than some books you can find on the subject, but Ambrose was able to interview most of the survivors of the unit before they died, which lends to the historical accuracy of the book. Ambrose always interviews the enemy soldiers as well, which provides a unique perspective on the crucial battle. The only complaint I have about "Pegasus Bridge" is minor. Since the book is about British soldiers, and the majority of the subjects interviewed were British, Ambrose attempts to slide into their vernacular (outside of direct quotes) from time to time. Sometimes it works, but oftentimes it doesn't. Hardcore British verbiage can sometimes seem like a different language altogether, and you may find yourself re-reading certain passages in order to understand what's being said. All in all, a great book on a worthy subject, and my favorite Ambrose WWII book outside of Band of Brothers!
on April 21, 2002
Having been stationed in Germany for three years I was fortunate enough to travel to many of the WWII battlegrounds that exist in Europe and the beaches that made up Operation Overlord is one trip that I will never forget. Before making the trip I read "Citizen Soldier," "D-Day" and "Pegasus Bridge" all written by Stephen Ambrose. I carried "D-Day" and "Pegasus Bridge" with me during my trip to use as a reference as I visited 4 of the 5 beaches involved in the D-Day invasion.
"Pegasus Bridge" is the story of the men from D company from the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry Regiment of the British 6th Airborne Division. Ambrose does a masterful job of relating the story of these men and tying to results of the battle to the overall operation of D-Day. Ambrose gives the background on the training of the men, personal insights of many of the men, and the man who held them all together Major John Howard.
As good as Ambrose tells the story of D company nothing compares to actually standing on that bridge and the feeling that you get thinking that right here is where the D-Day invasion began! Ambrose has included some great photos and drawing of the gliders landing site. When you visit the bridge itself you will find markers indicating the locations of the first three gliders and it is only then you will realize what a magnificent job of piloting Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork did in landing the nose of his glider "to break through the barbed wire" as requested by Major Howard. Some the machine gun nest are still there beside the bridge and gives you an idea of what the men faced. The original bridge, replaced with a modern bridge, but thankfully was saved and is located nearby as part of a museum.
"The first place liberated in France" is what the Gondrée's café has as a label according to a plague affixed over the entrance to the café. If you do not go inside you will miss a stunning collection of "Pegasus" military memorabilia! If you are lucky, you might even meet Madam Gondrée, who was a child at the time of the battle, and was still running the café at the time of my visit. She sat with friends and me and related a few stories concerning the story of the bridge and their current fight with the local government to preserve the café and other local building from a campaign to broaden the canal.
As I walk around outside the café and bridge site, I used Ambrose's book to take me through the battle almost moment by moment. I could almost hear Lt. Brotheridge's Sten gun rattle off as he killed one of the two guards on the bridge that night and sadly wonder if he knew what he and his men accomplished that night as he lay dying only moments after engaging the Germans.
If have any interest in the D-Day invasion then you cannot go wrong with this book. Ambrose does a wonderful job in presenting the story. The book is easy to read; I finished it in two days, yet does not insult your intelligence. If you do visit the Normandy region make sure you block out at least half a day to visit the bridge and Madam Gondrée's café you will not be disappointed. Ste.-Mère-Église is another place not to miss, but that is another story.
"Pegasus Bridge" is the story of the men from D company from the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry Regiment of the British 6th Airborne Division. Ambrose does a masterful job of relating the story of these men and tying to results of the battle to the overall operation of D-Day. Ambrose gives the background on the training of the men, personal insights of many of the men, and the man who held them all together Major John Howard.
As good as Ambrose tells the story of D company nothing compares to actually standing on that bridge and the feeling that you get thinking that right here is where the D-Day invasion began! Ambrose has included some great photos and drawing of the gliders landing site. When you visit the bridge itself you will find markers indicating the locations of the first three gliders and it is only then you will realize what a magnificent job of piloting Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork did in landing the nose of his glider "to break through the barbed wire" as requested by Major Howard. Some the machine gun nest are still there beside the bridge and gives you an idea of what the men faced. The original bridge, replaced with a modern bridge, but thankfully was saved and is located nearby as part of a museum.
"The first place liberated in France" is what the Gondrée's café has as a label according to a plague affixed over the entrance to the café. If you do not go inside you will miss a stunning collection of "Pegasus" military memorabilia! If you are lucky, you might even meet Madam Gondrée, who was a child at the time of the battle, and was still running the café at the time of my visit. She sat with friends and me and related a few stories concerning the story of the bridge and their current fight with the local government to preserve the café and other local building from a campaign to broaden the canal.
As I walk around outside the café and bridge site, I used Ambrose's book to take me through the battle almost moment by moment. I could almost hear Lt. Brotheridge's Sten gun rattle off as he killed one of the two guards on the bridge that night and sadly wonder if he knew what he and his men accomplished that night as he lay dying only moments after engaging the Germans.
If have any interest in the D-Day invasion then you cannot go wrong with this book. Ambrose does a wonderful job in presenting the story. The book is easy to read; I finished it in two days, yet does not insult your intelligence. If you do visit the Normandy region make sure you block out at least half a day to visit the bridge and Madam Gondrée's café you will not be disappointed. Ste.-Mère-Église is another place not to miss, but that is another story.
on July 16, 2017
A suspenseful and interesting story. The canal bridge has been replaced but the old bridge was preserved so we can still see it. A good museum is now at the site. A glider can be seen. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours to see the bridge and tour the museum.
on January 26, 2015
While Stephen Ambrose has written excellent works on a variety of subjects, I think his best books have been about WW II, where he has been able to fully utilize interviews with survivors not just as an additional historical source but as his major resource. This book, which focuses on the exploits of Major John Howard's D Company and its execution of a successful, brilliant and brilliant coup de main to capture intact and then hold until relieved two extremely important bridges in Normandy shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, joins "Band of Brothers" as Ambrose's most intimate work. In my opinion, it is a must read for all aficionados of the war fought by The Greatest Generation.
on June 12, 2017
One of the books I could not put down once I started it. Enjoy the author's writing style a lot.
on December 9, 2009
This is a well researched and well written small book about one of the smallest yet most important parts of the invasion plan, Operation Overlord. From the author's point of view, the operation was almost too smooth, as things went almost exactly according to plan. Major John Howard and Glider Pilot Jim Wallworth pulled off one the most important feats of the invasion, capturing two vital bridges on the East side of the D-Day landing area. With these bridges in British hands, the German counterattack, particularly the armored counterattack, was forced to detour many, many miles around the city of Caen, which not only slowed the attack, but exposed the German to additional Allied air attacks. The book not only covers the attack, but the struggle the British glider troopers and airborne reinforcements went through to hold the bridge until British armored units showed up to reinforce them.
Jim Wallworth deserves more credit, in my opinion, than he got. Not only did he land his glider in the exact right spot, in total darkness (they landed just after midnight), he actually managed to get the nose of the glider across a barrier of barbed wire that separated the landing zone from the bridges themselves. Howard, months before, had told Wallworth that was exactly where he wanted to end-up, and Wallworth, in what Air Chief Leigh-Mallory, commander of ALL allied air forces on D-Day, called the greatest flying feat of the entire war, literally put the glider with 2 feet of the exact spot Howard wanted. By comparison, most glider pilots used in the invasion were often off-target by many miles, yet Wallworth landed exactly where he was supposed to, within a few inches!
The book reads fast, despite the detail that Ambrose puts into it. Recommended.
In a fun aside, this attack is portrayed in the movie The Longest Day. In the movie, actor Richard Todd played Major Howard. Richard Todd was actually involved in Operation Overlord and was one of the first airborne reinforcements to reach Pegasus bridge, and played a vital role in helping to hold the bridge against German attacks!
Jim Wallworth deserves more credit, in my opinion, than he got. Not only did he land his glider in the exact right spot, in total darkness (they landed just after midnight), he actually managed to get the nose of the glider across a barrier of barbed wire that separated the landing zone from the bridges themselves. Howard, months before, had told Wallworth that was exactly where he wanted to end-up, and Wallworth, in what Air Chief Leigh-Mallory, commander of ALL allied air forces on D-Day, called the greatest flying feat of the entire war, literally put the glider with 2 feet of the exact spot Howard wanted. By comparison, most glider pilots used in the invasion were often off-target by many miles, yet Wallworth landed exactly where he was supposed to, within a few inches!
The book reads fast, despite the detail that Ambrose puts into it. Recommended.
In a fun aside, this attack is portrayed in the movie The Longest Day. In the movie, actor Richard Todd played Major Howard. Richard Todd was actually involved in Operation Overlord and was one of the first airborne reinforcements to reach Pegasus bridge, and played a vital role in helping to hold the bridge against German attacks!
on November 8, 2010
Great learning tool. I was made aware of the story of the "Pegasus Bridge" through playing Call of Duty. I guess that smacks in the face of the "high mindeds" that suggest that gaming is a detriment to the human mind. From an american perspective it shows the unquestianable contributions made by our British brothers and sisters in arms during one of the most pivital times on earth. This is a story brought to you through the the pen of premier historian/author Stephen Ambrose. I love history and especialy WW2 history. I got to know the characters on a personel level. Stephen writes in laymans terms. For someone like myself who does not have military back ground, it offers easily understood nomanclature that makes the story all that much more authentic. "The Pegusas Bridge" is a wonderfuly accurate document of history, pulling back the curtain to reveal maps, actual military orders given to various officers, as well as recon photos of the bridge and surounding areas to give the reader the whole picture of the entire operation. A definite must read to any authentic WW2 enthusiaste.
on September 15, 2016
A great fast read with lots of color and play-by-play as the story unfolds. Major Howard and his lads are great heroes that deserve the highest praise.
on July 4, 2014
Associated with the 2003 Paris Airshow, Sikorsky Aircraft provided an airborne tour of the Normandy Beaches using an S-92 helicopter ( I was lucky enough to be the pilot ). I thus had a couple of chances to look at the Pegasus landing site from low altitude. They had no night vision goggles, no radar altimeters, none of today's technical appurtenances, and looking down into that small field where they made their by-the-plan landings in the middle of the night made our cockpit very quiet indeed. I think the first thing said began with: " How the hell did they do....?". This book tells the story, short and true. Read it.
