Interview article (covering 4 pages)with Gary Sterne `Digging up the truth`

WDYTYA?,July 2019

As featured by

La Renaissance le Bessin

The main part of the book is a very detailed account of the activities of the US Rangers on D-Day and in the following few days, starting with the original landings, including the famous assault up the cliffs at Pointe-du-Hoc, and the attack on the Maisy batteries. This is built around a huge collection of eyewitness accounts from the Rangers themselves, including some from interviews conducted by the author, supported by official documents from both sides. I found this part of the book very convincing, and a valuable addition to the D-Day literature...

... This is a fascinating story, well supported by contemporary evidence, and helps fill a gap in the history of the D-Day Invasion.

History of War

The depth of research and time plunged into this book by Sterne is simply breathtaking. It doesn't simply offer alternatives to the history of Pointe du Hoc, it blows them away. It creates new ideas and actually supports them with hard evidence. ... One for fans of anything WWII, D-Day or otherwise.

War History Online

A gritty first hand - yard by yard account of what combat was like in those early days for the liberation of Europe....will forever change the way you think about the battle for Omaha Beach and the importance of Pointe du Hoc.

The Armourer

With extensive research, detailed maps and his in-depth knowledge of the ground, the author makes a compelling case. An unexpectedly convincing and worthwhile read.

Soldier Magazine

A 'must-have' for historians.

Airfix Model World

The US rangers at Omaha beach had a clear mission. They were to destroy the gun battery on Pointe du Hoc, while leading the breakout of the Allied forces from the beach. This would provide protection for the invasion fleet. The results were surprising. There were actually no field guns at Pointe du Hoc, whereas there were such guns at Maisy. The results were disastrous for the US forces, causing major problems in ensuring a successful breakout from the beach. Gary Sterne has written an interesting book looking at the whole situation and asks whether there was actually a cover up. Using personal interviews with surviving rangers, he gives a fresh view on the battle and the events that surrounded the fighting. The result is a very readable book, offering new insights and hitherto unpublished accounts of the battle, from the point of view of those who actually fought it on the ground. 4 stars

Angela Youngman - monstersandcritics.com

The thirst for understanding of how the two world wars of the 20th century were conducted seems to grow with every important anniversary. So a book which rewrites one aspect of the history of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy which would lead on to Allied victory, is guaranteed to make you sit up. Ten years ago, Gary Sterne uncovered – literally – a forgotten part of D-Day history: beneath hedgerows, he found the remains of the Maisy Battery. The part played by this gun emplacement had been overlooked, Sterne says, in the accounts of battle. In a penetrating and painstaking analysis of all the evidence, Sterne attempts to put the record straight.

Cheshire Life

One of the most up to date references on the subject. In reality it renders many previously written works inaccurate and will forever change the way you think the battle was balanced around the importance of Point du Hoc.

Skirmish - Living History Magazine