Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22471 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Ernire Rooke-Matthews MBE - Signals Platoon, HQ Company, 9th Parachute Battalion
This book is an outstanding contribution to military history – but more to the morale of the veterans now past the three score years and ten.

From the Author
Six years ago, having become interested in the Merville Battery and St Côme actions, I went in search of information and subsequently read all of the various published books. However, impressive as they were, a feeling of dissatisfaction prevailed. Something was missing. I realized that what I actually wanted to read was a detailed account in the words of the men who were actually there and not a narration of their experiences by an author. This, along with the deliberate omission of hindsight, therefore dictated the goals of the research and the format of this book.
Around fifty 9th Battalion veterans were interviewed, plus many of those formations that fought alongside them in the area. A large amount of written accounts were also studied from other survivors, many of whom are sadly no longer alive.
Using these and a multitude of other sources, I have therefore been able to construct, correct and expand on much of the existing published information.
Additionally, I wanted the reader to be able to see who was actually ‘speaking' within the text, to put faces to the incidents, and so the whole of the text is interspersed with over 200 photographs, thereby recording their faces for posterity.
Finally, I hope that people who visit the area and especially those who stand in front of the memorials at the Merville Battery and the Château St Côme, may now have the chance of a clearer idea of the terrible struggle which took place on this small piece of Normandy countryside.

Neil Barber

September 2002

Customer Reviews

Excellent
I recently visited the Merville Battery - very well preserved, and a worthwhile place to visit if in the area. The book, though, really brought it to life, with the recollections and photographs of those who were there - hugely interesting and moving to see the site (which includes video recollections by some of the participants) with the opportunity to overlay that with these personal recollections. A fantastic read in its own right, but indispensable if planning to visit the battery.

From Walter "Jonno" Johnson himself
I sit here in hospital in Hereford sharing a bay with Walter "Jonno" Johnson himself. To hear this story first hand is a true privilege. Walter is in due to falling over and having some work done on his hip but at 87 is in fine form, humour and good spirits.

Some of the stories he has told me would leave an audience in awe. How times have changed. The anxiety and psychological scars still run deep and this is why we need to remember all these heroes for what they did for us. He showed me a picture of his platoon joking about on 3rd June and noted that they all died in the fighting.

He was shot 3 times himself and hid in a wood for 2 days without food or water before being rescued by someone from 6 commando.

The author visited all these veterans to take testimonials and my copy lies on my doormoat at home waiting for me.

We will remember them,

The Day the Devils Dropped In
Great book, brings to life the true account of the herioc deeds of the Parachute Regt on D-Day and the following week in the area of Breville and Merville near Sword beach. A must for D Day fans, well written and thought provoking.