The Americans from the Ardennes to VE Day (Paperback)
Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: Images of War
Pages: 256
Illustrations: 250
ISBN: 9781526766083
Published: 15th January 2020
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The third and final volume of the Author’s Americans in North-west Europe series covers the historic period December 1944 to May 1945.
Launched in December 1944, the Nazis’ Ardennes offensive, known as the Battle of the Bulge, was one of the most dangerous periods of the War. During six weeks of desperate fighting, more US soldiers were killed, wounded or reported missing than in any battle in American history.
The Rhine was crossed in March 1945, first by the seizure of the railway bridge at Remagen and then by the combined American, British and Canadian ground and airborne operation codenamed Varsity. In the closing stages of the War, the western allies pushed remorselessly in the heart of Germany. Shocking evidence of Nazi atrocities was uncovered.
Berlin fell to the Russians in early May and the Allies met up on the River Elbe. In the chaos that followed, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation. The immediate tasks were ensuring the survival of the civilian population, establishing law and order, and the capture of war criminals.
In true Images of War style, this book graphically describes the magnificent role played by US forces under General Eisenhower’s overall command.
"This is a very interesting volume that will also prove to be a useful reference for modellers and historians, and is recommended."
IPMS Magazine - Issue 5: 2023
This book will appeal to historians and anyone interested in better understanding of this period in history and the role played by US troops in liberating Europe from Nazi tyranny. Model makers will find much to inspire. Highly recommended to all who have an interest in this period and American forces in particular.
Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicles Association
As featured on Miniaturas JM
Miniaturas JM
This 256-page book is perhaps one of the most consistent in the "Images of War" series and is a worthy conclusion to Brooke S. Blades' mini series about the American effort from Normandy to Germany.
On The Old Barbed Wire
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There are several stunning images I have never seen before and the captions are often more informative than normally is the case. Several photos should be able to inspire modellers and reenactors.
Lars Gyllenhaal
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A most interesting book.
Flyin' and Ridin' Blog
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The Images of War series has become extremely popular thorough providing outstanding rare image, concise text and very low pricing. This new addition covers the final battles in the West to the German surrender and VE Day. – Very Highly Recommended.
Firetrench
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My knowledge of the "Battle of the Bulge" was confined to the Hollywood blockbuster of 1965 until this magnificent "Images of War" book came along. Stunning images of Eisenhower's forces in the closing months of the second world war. This series is simply the best!
Books Monthly
This title is part of the Images of War series which is full of mainly photographs, but not too many, and comprehensive and informative text. The book is split into various chapters such as the Winter Offensive, the Ardennes Winter, Advance to the Rhine, Varsity and the Allies in Germany.
UK Historian
I’ve noticed in these books that the photographs can lean very heavy towards the military vehicles, but in this book, it is almost the opposite in there are many photos of troops, soldiers, civilians and children. This does make a little difference to the book as it makes it a bit more personal, the text/captions are also excellent and well informed, which is a good thing that runs throughout ‘The Images of War’ series of books.
This book from Pen and Sword Publishing and authored by Brooke S Blades follows the US military through the Ardennes to the end of the war in Europe and so covers highs and lows of the war as it affected US forces. As usual I can’t come up with another summary for these books in that they are excellent, both in photographs and text. An excellent read especially for those that need a few pictures with their words, especially as this is a bigger book to normal in the series, highly recommended.
This book from Brooke S Blades is in a different category. The author has assembled 245 pages of text and illustration devoted to a 5 month slot in the battle for Germany. There is sufficient text to follow the campaign and to set the individual photographs in their part of the campaign. By concentrating exclusively on US forces the author has produced a useful set of illustrations... The book could also be of use to the serious military modeller or artist looking for authenticity of equipment or uniform.
Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)
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So, all in all, a fascinating and compelling resource, whose text covers the period as concisely and as thoroughly as could be wished for in a book mostly devoted to imagery. And in terms of the pictures, another exemplary addition to the Images of War series. Highly recommended.
A Question Of Scale, Seb Palmer
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As featured on Chiznoids via Instagram
Chiznoids
Each chapter is started with pages of text with the appropriate background information to each topic, and followed by an interesting selection of photos which illustrate each one, all with informative captions.
Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland
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This offering from Pen and Sword and authored by Brooke S Blades follows the US military through the Ardennes to the end of the war in Europe and so covers highs and lows of the war as it affected US forces. The text is worth taking the time to read if you want an idea of what was happening and when. The photographs are a mix of ones I have seen on several occasions to some I have never seen before; those showing just how much damage can be done to a Sherman would make you want to be infantry.
Armorama
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One again this excellent series (Images of War) does not disappoint. Following the usual format of photographs that link to the concise but important text overview it allows the images to do the heavy lifting; and so they should. An excellent starter for understanding the activities of the US Army in the latter stages of the war.
Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide
About Dr Brooke S Blades
Dr Brooke Blades is an archaeologist and historian whose research has included examinations of sites from the Second World War in France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. An interest in Normandy first emerged during a visit in 1986 and has expanded greatly beyond an initial focus on documenting the landscape of Omaha Beach. This is the third and final volume in his Americans in NW Europe 1944-45 series. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, daughter Emma and three cats.