The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II

Be transported to the fearful, brutal, bewildering & heroic moments of D Day.Jump with paratroopers at 12:15 am to start the invasion in darkness, with confusion, some success & tragedy. Then puke with young, scared, but motivated soldiers splashing in landing crafts toward beaches that killed capriciously. But also found surprising survival & singular heroism. Scramble up the cliffs, if you can. Slog east, facing farmers hedgrows & more enemy tanks & resistance.Great read! Fitting on this 80 th Anniversary of D Day.

I liked the detailed information about the first wave soldiers. It gave one a small feeling of what it must have been like. Survival was a mixture of unbelievable bravery and good fortune.

I usually like the work done by historian / writer Alex Kershaw, and this is no exception. I have been able to visit the Point du Hoc and Omaha Beach (as well as other areas in the vicinity) and was awestruck by what the Allied soldiers were able to accomplish that day. This book was able to provide some of the backstories to what occurred, prior to the actual landings, to place key bridges, roads, and landing zones under Allied control. The taking of German artillery emplacements were a big factor in the Allied victory. This book is well worth a look if the Normandy Landings are of interest to you.

The story of the men who put their "boots on the ground" as part of the greatest landing force ever assembled. I am reading this as we approach the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, a fitting time to recall the hardships and sacrifices made by so many. Alex Kershaw has done a wonderful job delving into the actions of the principle players involved, from Privates on the beach to the Generals directing the overall operation. Well worth the read.

This year is the 80th anniversary of D Day. Well written, captivating true stories of the heroic actions of otherwise ordinary men on D Day, almost all of which are now gone.

Good book by a good author

Kershaw captured my interest because my father landed with the 29th Division, 116th Regiment, 1st Bn, C Company. He was from Arkansas and had been trained as a Ranger but transferred to this outfit just before they boarded the transport vessels. He told me he was laying beside General Cota along the Omaha Beach road. Taking heavy fire, Cota said, "Arkie, If we don't get off this beach, they're gonna kill us all right here." Dad was a Corporal and carried a BAR. As did many others, Dad used a bangalore to blow away most of the wire along the roadside. Holding his BAR vertically, he fell across the remaining side allowing Cota and about 50 others get across the road to cover. His fellow soldiers were certain he'd been killed during the event until they heard him yelling, "Come help me out of this stuff!" If they hadn't, My siblings and I would have never been born. He told me he had to use the BAR every day until receiving a "million dollar wound" on July 3rd from a machine gun nest along the St. Lo highway. After the war, he worked with RG LaTourneau in Longview, TX for a few years. I've heard that LaTourneau had built 80% of the earth moving equipment used by the Allies during WWII. Dad said he was one of three with C Co landing that day who survived the war. I'm looking forward to reading much more of Kershaw's work, especially Bedford Boys whom Dad served alongside.

Kershaw did a great job with this book and the topic. He combines history and horror as he describes the carnage of D-Day. I never realized Omaha Beach was as bad he describes. Having visited Normandy, I realized that Kershaw got it right. Well written and can't wait for his next book.

good

I’ve read many books about D-Day so I was hesitant to read another. This book adds another layer to the history of D-Day. It is amazing reading the perspectives of the soldiers on that day. I learned tons. I love the way Kershaw writes. Highly recommended

Cela ressemble au scénario du Jour le plus long, et c’est poignant à lire.

An exceptionally well written book. Raw tales of how it was on this momentous day from sea, shore and air. Should be required reading for every generation. Lest we forget.

I loved the book