Read n' reviewed: Niels Henkemans’ Defending Normandy Vol.1B by Panzerwrecks Publishing

After reading the second book in the series, Jon Willis is back with this, the second of Panzerwrecks "Defending Normandy" series (1B) by Niels Henkeman. "Defending Normandy Vol. 1B" continues the study of the bloody battle for the Cotentin Peninsula and its crucial port of Cherbourg in astounding detail. See what he thought in his review...

Read n' reviewed: Defending Normandy Vol. 1B: German Infantry Divisions on the Cotentin - Part II
Author: Niels Henkemans
Map Artist: Niels Henkemans
Language: English (UK)

Pages: 264

Photos: 48

Maps: 37

Tables of Equipment: 29

Physical: Hardcover, 277 x 214mm, landscape
RRP: £39.99
Product Link on the Panzerwrecks Website

Defending Normandy Vol. 1B continues its examination of the fierce battle for the Cotentin Peninsula and the critical port of Cherbourg. Through the analysis of original records and personal accounts, the book offers an in-depth look at four more infantry divisions. The 709. Infantry-Division defended Utah Beach on D-Day and played a key role in the battle for Cherbourg. Following D-Day, the 243. Infantry-Division became heavily engaged in combat with the U.S. VII Corps, continuing to resist the Allies into July. The 265. Infantry-Division, although only able to deploy a battle group, also saw intense fighting and reflects many of the challenges faced by German forces in the West. The 353. Infantry-Division arrived in Normandy after D-Day, forming the core of the fighting in southern Cotentin in July, while other elements engaged in costly battles around Saint-Lô.

Contents of this tome...

The first book in this series set the scene of the German High Command and SS Divisions that took part in the beginning of the defence of the Cotentin Peninsula, what is also known as D-Day. As it states on page 4, Part 2 (continued): This volume concentrates on the Infanterie-Divisions 243, 265, 353 and 709 that took part.

The two books in this series are both now available. We reviewed 1A a while ago and have now finished reading this book, 1B (on the right), which is the subject of today's review...

The physical make-up & feel of the book:

A hardcover book with the usual glossy cover you may be used to with Panzerwrecks Publishing's books, this large landscape-format book's dimensions are 277 mm x 214 mm. The book's text is in the English language, with a majority of the book being text. We do have some great photographs from the time and maps (sixty-five in total, all formatted alike for ease of reading and continuity) to better explain the ground being talked about and the unit's locations and dispositions at certain times.

What I really like about these publications is that each section gives you a brief overview of the organisation, history and combat that the divisions were involved in. It is also interesting to note the struggle the German Command had to keep the divisions at fighting strength. Even going to the steps of using bicycles by the troops as a mode of transport and carrying equipment on them.

The German command at Cotentin, along with the German High Command in Berlin, had not foreseen how quickly the Allied forces were able to gain ground and the ability it had to resupply, which the German forces, due to the relentless Allied bombing campaigns, did not have.

This publication again has very detailed maps for the reader to follow, which are also time stamped and backed up with the written text. Along with the maps are detailed layouts of the setupof each division and the equipment that they have. These, as in the first publication, are in German text, as the author states there is no English equivalent.

All the pictures are black and white except for the maps, which are all in colour. There are some pictures, which, as I said in my first review, would be of interest to the modelling world, and more so, the diorama guys. But the wargaming guys will find the maps and divisions that took part in the defence of Normandy perfect for the way they set up game strategies.

On page 193 the book has three appendices, A, B and C. Even though these are short, they do tie up the two books perfectly, with Appendix A being the timelines from 1940 to 1945, Appendix B the coastal defence sectors and maps, and Appendix C the Grundgliederung Infantry-Divisions 1943/1944 and their unit markings.

I found that Vol 1, had far more diversity with the subjects that it explains, but Vol 2 only deals with the four infantry divisions that took part in the defence of Normandy. It certainly gives you an in-depth view but can be a bit heavy-going, as it is such a big book.

The painstaking research that started back in 2005 for these publications becomes abundantly clear when reading both volumes. Not long after reading volume 1, a new documentary on Prime TV about D-Day and the Normandy landings, along with the books, made it all the clearer as to what both sides went through. 

Jon Willis

Thanks to Panzerwrecks for sending this book to read and review. This book is available now to purchase from the Panzerwrecks Store