The Liberation Trilogy by Rick Atkinson

[pscot]

The Liberation Trilogyis a detailed combat history of WW2. Atkinson has won Pulitzers for his journalism and his historical writing. He was WaPO Berlin correspondent in the early 90's. Volume 1, An Army at Dawn details the North African campaign, in which a green U.S force was tempered with blood. Volume 2, Day of Battle, covers the vicious fighting in Sicily and Italy.

This is a journalist's history. Much the action is described from multiple points of view, and often in the words, of the participants. This personalizes the war, creating an immediacy, as well as a heightened sense of tragedy. And always the GI's are there; tough, scared, cynical, devout, brave and cowardly, frost-bitten, flea-bitten, malarial, shell-shocked, and often, shot to pieces. Unlike many historians, and too many generals and politicians, Atkinson notices the dead, whom he treats with loving tenderness. The most important thing, as he says, is to remember.

Above all, this is a great read. Strategy and tactics are dealt with in detail, and all combat zones have individual maps showing unit movements and time lines. The personalities of the commanders are explored, again, mostly through their own words in letters, journals, dispatches and news reports, and their interactions with each other. One often has the feeling that we succeded in spite of our generals, not because of them.

[stray cat]

1. Any idea when the last of the trilogy comes out?

You're right - its a great series.

[pscot]

2. Day of Battle

WAs published in November of 2007, so I'm afraid we're going to be on hold for a while. It was 4 years between vol.1 and vol. 2.

[pscot]

3. Finished [i]Day of Battle[/i] last night

and it left me slightly stunned. My favorite movie about the Italian campaign is A Walk in the Sun, with John Ireland. Just a walk in the sun, pausing occasionally to mop up some tepid German resistance or work on a letter home. It was, in fact an incredibly brutal 7 month assault, invariably uphill, in rain and snow, against a well-entrenched, battle-hardened German defense that was determined to extract the last pound of flesh for every inch they surrendered. Atkinson is a good writer, and he brings it back to life like an agonized cry from the grave. The most important thing, is to remember. Amen.

[Captain Hilts]

4. I'm looking forward to An Army at Dawn. nt

[Lionel Mandrake]

5. So far, so good.

Volumes 1 and 2 were excellent IMHO. I look forward to vol. 3.

Some of the American and British generals did a great job; others were mediocre or incompetent. Atkinson lets you know which were which.

The mutual distrust between some of the Yanks and Brits is remarkable. It's amazing we didn't start shooting at each other.