Objective Saint-Lô

Book excerpt: “A collection of eyewitness accounts of the heavy fighting that took place in this part of France after the Omaha landings . . . excellent and gripping.”—FSAddon This book provides a day-by-day account of the forty-two days of fighting from Omaha Beach to Saint-Lô. Follow Lt. Allsup from the beaches at Hill 108 (the “bloody hill”), where he was injured, and Lt. Jones, who was among the first to enter Saint-Lô; a town destroyed by bombs, which was to become the graveyard of hundreds of Normans. On the opposing side, discover the fate of the fearsome “green devil” paratroopers of General Schimpf and follow in the footsteps of paratroopers Erwin Schmieger and Rudi Frühbeisser, as they defend their armed camp, ensuring that every hedge will only be taken at the highest price. Objective Saint-Lô takes the reader along the little or unknown routes from the horrors of Omaha Beach to Trvires, La Cambe, Isigny, through the Aure valley to Hill 108, (“Purple Heart Hill”) and Hills 192 and 122. As well as authentic eyewitness testimony, the book also acts as a field guide, including maps and both contemporary and modern photographs. “Lavishly illustrated with sketch maps, then and now images and numerous personal accounts from US and German sources, this is an excellent campaign overview, ideal for tour planning.”—Guild of Battlefield Guides “An exciting story with insights from those who were there and an amazing collection of photographs, drawing and maps—Highly Recommended.”—Firetrench