Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-Day, June 6, 1944

by Joseph Balkoski

Book Overview

Companion volume to the critically acclaimed Omaha Beach A brilliantly researched and engagingly written comprehensive history of this momentous World War II battle that includes many never before published firsthand accounts by the men who were there Features a series of detailed maps allowing the reader unparalleled insight into the minute-by-minute combat on Utah Beach, plus comprehensive lists of all Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811701441
• ISBN13: 9780811701440
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Stackpole Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 9.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Book

Not the same old info, he has a lot of original research. The book is well versed and it doesn't always offer the same tired conclusions. His thoughts on Montgomery were new and gave me something to think about. He also does a better job of explaining why the Americans were so dependent on Artillery vs the Germans who depended on thier machine guns. I think he does a better job than Stephen Ambrose in telling a true history instead of a "best selling story" written for Hollywood/TV. This is a book retired Military who want the real story. Some of the information is rehashed from his previous books on the subject and they would be better served if written as a volume series so he does not have to repeat himself, but all of his books are worth reading.

WWII historiography doesn't get much better than this!!

With Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944 Joseph Balkoski established himself as a historical researcher/writer to be reckoned with. His 2005 follow up Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-day, June 6, 1944 is a welcome companion piece and should set-in-stone Balkoski's reputation as one of the foremost historians on the American experience on D-Day. While Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944 was certainly an engaging scholarly piece of work (this reviewer gave it 5 stars), Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-day, June 6, 1944 is even better! Again, Balkoski shows that few present day Second World War historians can compete with him in terms of work done up front from largely primary (oft unpublished) sources to provide the scholarly basis for his writing. Like he did with Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944 Balkoski organizes Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-day, June 6, 1944 chronologically from the planning and lead up to D-Day through the day itself, and ending as 6 June 1944 ended. Not surprisingly given the title of the book, it is also temporally focused, dealing entirely (once the para-drops start in the early morning hours of 6 June) with the Utah Beach landing area where the 4th (Ivy) Infantry Division landed at dawn by sea, and the areas on the Cotentin peninsula behind the beachhead where the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions dropped (by `chute or glider) in prior to the seaborne landings. This focused approach provides Balkoski the confined format in which to build his impressively researched and extremely well-written story. Balkoski's formal prose is given to the first 329 pp. of the book, with very informative Appendix (nine total, over 20 pp) and Notes/Bibliography (21 pp.) sections following. Balkoski covers both the airborne and seaborne portions of the Utah Beach assault fairly equally and thoroughly, and provides ample compelling evidence that contrary to conventional historical wisdom (often perpetuated by writings of the major players themselves, such as Gen. Bradley) Utah Beach was not a simple `walk-over' in comparison to the heralded bloody Omaha. As Balkoski points out the numbers of troops engaged at Utah (when seaborne, airborne and Naval forces in harms way are combined) was only slightly smaller than that engaged at Omaha, and quite contrary to popular belief, the casualties across these troops were on par with those suffered at Omaha, which was largely a seaborne invasion force. Certainly there are differences between the two beach invasions in terms of enemy troops and positions, but as Balkoski argues, in large part the solid invasion preparation, done by VII Corps commander Maj Gen Joseph (`Lightning Joe') Lawton Collins and 4th Inf Div commander Maj Gen Raymond (`Tubby') Barton, lead the `bloodless' (of course a misnomer) victory on Utah Beach as much as anything. Balkoski's research is tremendous and other historian/writers

Another Great Book That Takes You Along To D-Day

This book is another fine example (like his one on Omaha Beach) of what good research can bring to a book about a historical event. This is not dry academia writing, but is the soldiers' story in the soldiers words. Joseph Balkoski has quotes from the individual solder, sailors, and airmen all the way up to the commanding generals. They are describing what they saw, heard, and felt during the time of the invasion or soon thereafter. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the battles of the parachute divisions as they struggled to find out where they were and tried to achieve their missions with far less troops than expected. There are many heroes here, not just the ones who were given medals, but also those who actions saved others that they never saw or met afterwards. The book gives a common everyman feel to the battles and shows what men can accomplish when the need is there. A final note I would like to make about this book is that it makes you want to know what happened the next day and the days that follow. There are many references to soldiers who are killed on June 7th or in the next few weeks. The way the book is written, it makes you want to follow the soldiers all the way up to the liberation of Cherbourg. There are other books that talk about this period, but none of them are written with the same style which draws you into these groups of soldiers and want to know what happened to them.

A Great Historical Resource

Joseph Balkoski's book on Utah Beach is a great historical resource. This is a very good read covering the events of the day almost minute by minute. It reads like a great documentary. This is not written in the format of a memoir. Readers who love first person hubris memoirs may find it lacking action. Balkoski relies mainly on primary sources such as after action reports, unit journals, and citations to create his blow by blow narrative. Sprinkled throughout the battle account are the accounts of those in the battle. It is a classic. It is a must for any D-day library.

Excellent Book on the "Day of Days"

This is an excellent book on the "Day of Days" as coined by the film "Band of Brothers". This book fills out what the rest of American paratroops and Utah beach landing beach troops did on this day. Only one page is provided on Easy Company. And, what a story it is! General Teddy Roosevelt walking Utah Beach with a cane and leading the troops ashore, thereby being awarded the Medal of Honor. The officers and troopers of the 82nd airborne taking Ste. Mere Eglise and holding it against numerous German counterattacks. The holding of the bridges over Meridet River (shades of Saving Private Ryan although this story is accurate), stopping a tank attack with a bazooka. The capturing of the four causeways from Utah Beach by the 101st airborne allowing the Utah beach landing troops of the 4th Division to break through. There are many fascinating stories supporting this outline of the events. Yes, this was the Day of Days and this is a great book describing it. A great addition to the author's other great book on Omaha Beach.