Description
Book SynopsisThis is a rarely detailed, "you are there" account of World War II combat, describing a brief but bloody tank/infantry action in August 1944. Based on six years of research – drawing from interviews, primary documents, and visits to the battlefield –
The Day of the Panzer transports the reader into the ranks of L Company, 15th Regiment, Third Infantry Division, and its supporting M4s of the 756th Tank Battalion as they grapple head-on with the Wehrmacht.
On August 15, 1944, L Company hit the beaches in southern France, joined by the tank crews of 2nd Lt. Andrew Orient’s 3rd Platoon, all veterans of Cassino. Despite logistical problems, the Third Division forged north through the Rhône River valley, L Company and its supporting tanks leading the regimental charge - until they faced a savage counterattack by the Germans and a rampaging Panther tank…
In this book, the minute-by-minute confusion, thrill, and desperation of WWII combat is placed under a microscope, as if the readers themselves were participants.
"[An] excellent popular history… a sprightly and evocative tribute to the troops of Operation Dragoon"
– Publishers Weekly"Through his well-wrought prose, Danby paints a detailed picture of deadly fighting and stunning victory" –
WWII History"One of the most interesting and absorbing battles histories that this reviewer has ever read… remarkably realistic and personal." –
History Book Club"The excellent descriptions of infantrymen, tankers and supporting troops from the 15th’s Cannon Company using M8 self-propelled howitzers and the three inch gun armed M10s of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion make for good reading." –
War History OnlineTrade ReviewAll the way through the book are period photos from the private collections of the veterans, official sources, and a great many maps to orientate the reader. This makes the book a must read for armchair historians, wargamers and model-makers. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine 13/09/2021 *
A well-written account of life at the (fairly) sharp end. * Miniature Wargames 16/08/2021 *
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: L Company Chapter 2: Respite and Preparations Chapter 3: Yellow Beach Chapter 4: On to Saint-Tropez Chapter 5: Across Southern France Chapter 6: Toward Marseille Chapter 7: Roadblock Chapter 8: Pursuit North Chapter 9: Armor Column Chapter 10: Allan Chapter 11: Reconnaissance Chapter 12: The Crossroads Chapter 13: Trouble in the Rear Chapter 14: The Gauntlet Chapter 15: A Small Revenge Epilogue Postscript Appendices Notes Bibliography Index
