This review has been submitted to War History Online Journal
Author: Mark Zuehlke
ISBN: 978-1-77162-041-3
Publisher: Douglas and McIntyre
Year: 2014
Hardcover
Pages: 500
Photos/maps: 29/7
The Canadian Army was involved in three major actions
during the latter portion of the Second World War: the Normandy Invasion, the Battle
of the Scheldt and the operations to clear the west bank of the Rhine and
northern Germany: Operations Veritable and Blockbuster. Canadian command and
troops undertook key leadership and personnel roles in each of these ops. The
authors book, Forgotten Victory, refocuses attention on the critical Canadian
role in the final of the three above listed campaigns. Overshadowed by the Battle
of the Bulge, the American/British drive in the South and the Soviet juggernaut
in the East, the Canadians nevertheless played a decisive in creating the
conditions whereby the Allies could drive across the Rhine and into the heart
of Germany.
Zuehlke takes a holistic approach to his discussions of
the Operations as well as the minor ops leading up to them. Thus the reader is
provided with information relating to Command relationships (both formal and
interpersonal), logistics demands and concerns, operational considerations and
the complexity of combined (what would today be referred to as ‘joint’
operations) involving allied land and air forces (both tactical and strategic).
It is worth noting that, for this campaign, the Commander of the First Canadian
Army, Gen Crerar commanded an army (comprising mainly Canadians but also allied
forces) of 500,000 men – the largest in Canadian history. Additionally, the
author paints a vivid picture of the environment within which the Canadians and
their Allies were operating. The winter was brutal and made all the more so by
the frequent freeze thaw cycles that reduced mobility to a crawl; further
hampered by the vast flooding operations by the Germans that limited lines of
approach to grimy and barely passable high ground pre-registered by German
artillery and machine guns.
Zuehlke has an eminently readable writing style encompassing
a vast array of information and data that presents a deep and comprehensive
picture for the reader. His books have almost exclusively focused on the role
of the Canadian Army in the European theatre of war and his appreciation and
depth of knowledge is evident throughout the book. This is a thoroughly
enjoyable book that conveys accurately the horrors and challenges of these operations
as well as the heroism, competence and drive of the officers and soldiers so
engaged.
No comments:
Post a Comment