Hill 112, Battles of the Odon-1944

Hill 112-Battles of the Odon-1944
by Tim Saunders
ISBN1-58097-056-7
Combined Publishing 2001

This little volume is part of the "Battleground Europe" series put out by Combined Publishing, but don't let its' size (192 pages) or price ($16.95) fool you into thinking that it's a quick read without any real value. Quite the contrary, as Saunders presents the subject in an easy to understand and highly readable manner. Hill 112 stood between the Odon and Orne Rivers west of Caen and was the scene of some the most intense fighting during Overlord due to its tactical signifigance of being the highest point of ground in Normandy. In addition the ground south of the hill was open making a British armoured breakthough towards Falaise or the Seine a distinct possiblity. Saunders discusses the battle in its historical context, but for the most part follows the old adage regarding military history: let the soldiers tell the story. And this is where this volume really shines as these first-person accounts really bring home the battle in all its horror and savagery (and even a little humor). Interspersed with fine maps and even an appendix on what to see if one ever decides to walk the battlefield, this is a must have for anyone with even a casual interest in the Normandy Campaign.