Book review: The Dead and Those About to Die, by John McManus

 

I have always been fascinated with the Allied invasion of Normandy, called Operation Neptune. I saw this book recommended by Albert Mohler on his Summer Reading list for 2014, and I immediately picked up the book. I couldn’t put it down. The book focuses on the 1st Infantry Division’s assault on Omaha Beach on June 6th, 1944. The title comes from Colonel George Taylor, commander of the 16th Infantry Regiment and the first unit to land at Omaha, when, under extreme fire, was walking around the beach prodding men to get off the beach. “There are only two kinds of men on this beach, the dead and those about to die. So get off this beach!”

As a West Point graduate and a combat veteran, I can say that this is one of the best books on D-Day I have read. McManus joins only a few others who have not only written good history, but enables those who haven’t been there to get just a bit too close to the action. One cannot read this book and not be moved, emotionally and mentally, by the heroic actions of not just a few brave souls but the many who assaulted this beach and held on in spite of the odds. Moreover, this os one of the few books that focuses on the role of the Big Red One specifically and their area of the beach. There are several books that focus on the 29th Infantry, but the 1st Division’s area was just as bad. This book contains a lot of detail, has some really good and clear maps, reads quickly, and flows smoothly. However, I had to stop several times as I couldn’t read the words for the tears in my eyes. Many of us have come dangerously close to forgetting the bravery and determination of those who sacrificed so much on a small strip of sandy and rocky beach on the coast of France in 1944. They should never be forgotten. Thanks in part to this book, they will not be.

For those who love small unit actions on Normandy, this is the book for you.  McManus describes in detail many different tactical vignettes by individuals, squads and platoons who were instrumental in securing Omaha Beach and moving inland.  This book is a great complement to Critical Hit's Omaha East.  Additionally, the book contains enough maps and detailed descriptions to help designers come up with a few good ASL or ATS scenarios featuring the Big Red One on June 6th. 

Highly recommended.