Reddit reviews The Guns of Normandy: A Soldier's Eye View, France 1944

Anglo/Canadian artillery in Normandy in the summer of 1944 was so efficient many German units became convinced that the Allies had a "super cannon" that was capable of automatic artillery fire. George Blackburn in his book The Guns of Normandy tells the story of a German Colonel coming across the lines with a white flag saying that he and his men would surrender on the condition that he would be allowed to witness the Canadians' "machine gun artillery" in action.

Of course, the Canadians were only using the humble 25pdr and it was their doctrine/training that allowed such massive amounts of firepower to get down range.

edit: Added hotlink to the book. It is one of the most compelling Second World War narratives I've ever read and I recommend it to anyone interested in military history.

The Guns of Normandy.

Follows a Canadian Army medium artillery battery from June 6th to September 30th, 1944.

The author Blackburn was one of the FOO"s ( Forward Observation Officer ) who "called the shots " by radio from the infantry forward positions. 14th Field Artillery supported the Canadian Army through the battles in June August and September og 1944.

This is a book about the soldiers on the ground, not the Generals. Its about being so tired that you fall asleep next to a 25 pounder gun firing at maximum rate, 12 rounds a minute. Or helping to hand carry 1200 rounds of artillery shells for a half a mile, in the dark, after being awake for 36 hours.

True and outright gut wrenching, as well.

link. https://www.amazon.ca/Guns-Normandy-Soldiers-View-France/dp/0771015038

Jim B.