Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #266569 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Synopsis
After two months of bitter combat in Normandy, Operation Bluecoat transformed the campaign into a war of movement. British and German armoured divisions were flung against one another. Over the rugged terrain of the 'Suisse Normande', thrust met with counter thrust in a rapidly changing mobile battle. This is the story of the breakthrough begun on 30th July by 11th Armoured Division, Guards Armoured Division, and 15th (Scottish) Division. This was initially opposed by 21. Panzer Division, and later by the Germans' most powerful divisions in the west: 9. SS-Panzer 'Hohenstaufen' and 10. SS-Panzer 'Frundsberg'. The story of Bluecoat includes examples of virtually every type of Second World War armoured combat: from infantry tanks to specialised flame-throwers and minesweeping tanks; from light armoured reconnaissance units to the heaviest battle tanks of the Second World War. The experiences of both sides, German as well as British, are related as the story of a swirling armoured Melle is played out under the host summer sun between Caumont and Vire.

Customer Reviews

Focused summary of little reported action
This review was wriiten for a wargaming fanzine, the game is "Advanced Squad Leader." Some references were made in light of this.

An old ASL playing friend of mine, Ian Daglish has had a book published in the "Battleground Europe," series from Pen & Sword. These are slim paperbacks which deal with various battles in NW Europe in considerable detail and also have an eye to the reader going on a battlefield tour to see for themselves what the ground looks like today. Most of the battlefields are in NW Europe and nearly half the books in the paperback series listed on the back page are based in Normandy. These are available readily enough in good bookshops.

After the success of D Day, progress inland had been frustratingly slow and Ian focuses on the British armoured breakout at the end of July. It is a tale of confusion for both the Allies and Germans. There were gains made due to enemy mistakes such as a vital bridge seized because two German formations each thought the other was minding it. There were also many missed opportunities when valuable ground was not taken because it was thought to be defended when in fact it wasn't, only to be fought hard for later.

Unlike the other book I own in the series, Ian doesn't stress the present day battlefield all the way through except by showing with some modern photos he has taken to show the lie of the land. He has made effective use of some of these with silhouettes of tanks showing the deployment at the time. He does offer a suggestion for some battlefield tours at the end.

My only gripe is that many of the photos have come out rather poor, compared to the ones I remember seeing when I saw the proof copy that Ian had with him at Berserk! in March this year. A lot of detail has been lost on those affected and this is highlighted by the clarity of the majority, which have come out fine.

The book works very well as a narrative history of the operation and is a thoroughly entertaining read. Knowing that Ian is an ASL player I was looking closely for a connection. Ian doesn't refer to the game at all, but there are instances where the rules are brought to mind. Reinforcing the rules, I read about an infantry lieutenant thrown from the deck of a tank he was riding from by the turret turning unexpectedly. Conversely, Ian writes about the degree of training the British Army allowed some infantry and armoured formations with each other and how infantry/tank co operation had to be worked at. So the next time you run a squad of poor quality troops along with an FFV in armoured assault, thank your stars the rules allow his so easily. The legend of the Tiger is fed too as tales of these behemoths despatching every Sherman and Cromwell they see have their part in the story. As I read these books about Normandy, it becomes more apparent that the quality and experience of the better German forces nearly carried the day for them on so many occasions and that the one thing most useful to the British in particular was surprisingly (to me) less the air superiority but more the Royal Artillery.

I do have a good picture of the battle after reading Ian's book. Recommended.

Good
Very well researched, the book gives an account of part of the "Bluecoat" operation in Normandy, early August 1944. However, readers looking for the whole picture will be disappointed that only two of the divisions concerned on the allied side are covered.

These are Guards Armoured, and 11th. Armoured Divisions. Whilst their activities to the South of the main axis of "Bluecoat" are well covered, no reference is made to activities further North, including the capture of Mt Pincon, and the advance towards the river Noireau by units of XXX Corps, which also made up part of Bluecoat, and were arguably of equal significance.

the British breakout
After two months of bitter combat in Normandy, Operation Bluecoat transformed the campaign into a war of movement. British and German armoured divisions were flung against one another. Over the rugged terrain of the 'Suisse Normande', thrust met with counter thrust in a rapidly changing mobile battle.

This is the story of the breakthrough begun on 30th July by 11th Armoured Division, Guards Armoured Division, and 15th (Scottish) Division. This was initially opposed by 21. Panzerdivision, and later by the Germans' most powerful forces in the west: 9. SS-Panzerdivision 'Hohenstaufen' and 10. SS-Panzerdivision 'Frundsberg'.

Operation BLUECOAT includes examples of virtually every type of Second World War armoured combat. British Churchill tanks are pitted against Jagdpanther, Cromwells and Shermans against Panther and Tiger tanks. The story includes details of the infantry tanks; the specialised flame-thrower and mine-sweeping tanks; from the light, armoured reconnaissance units to the heaviest battle tanks of the Second World War. And of course the complex interaction between armour and infantry with their new generation of hand-held antitank weapons. The experiences of both sides, German as well as British, are related as the story of a swirling armoured mêlée is played out under the hot summer sun between Caumont and Vire.

This book is the first serious study of BLUECOAT for over twenty years. It covers campaign strategy and details of weapons, organisation, and battlefield tactics. As well as analysis of the conflict, over 160 illustrations, maps, and 1944 aerial photographs enable wargamers to re-enact the actions depicted.