Dying for Saint-Lô

Dying for Saint-Lô covers the period from 7 to 21 july 1944, when the Americans were stuck in the Bocage. Taking Saint-Lô, a major road and railway junction, was vital to the expansion of the offensive to break the German front. 12,000 American casualties would be the cost.

In a day by day account, the attacks delivered by all American units are described : the 30th, 9th, 35th, 29th and 2nd Infantry Divisions, the 3rd Armored Division and the attached Tank Destroyer battalions. Hundreds of official reports were studied, and first-person accounts are added for most operations. On the German side, due to the paucity of official sources, the author has focused on Kampfgruppen Heintz and Kentner - with much unpublished information - and on several elite formations such as Fallschirm-Aufklärungs Abteilung 12. A sniper veteran from this parachute unit also shares his story. New information is offered on SS-Kampfgruppe Wisliceny. Heinz Macher, commanding 16./Deutschland, whom Didier Lodieu met, has entrusted him with his company's war diary. Other major units include the Panzer-Lehr Division and Fallschirmjägerregiment which fought hard for Hill 192.