the German retreat from France, 1944 / Joachim Ludewig ; edited by David T. Zabecki.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The German Reich's military-political situation : development of the general conditions up to the summer of 1944 -- The initial situation on the allied side -- Development of the situation through the middle of August 1944 -- The initial situation in southern France -- The initial situation in northern France -- The start of the retreat to the west -- The situation around Paris -- Command decisions and the course of operations leading to the climax of the crisis -- The basis for continued combat operations -- From the climax of the crisis to the first indications of a stabilization of the western front -- The situation estimate prepared by the operations staffs and the failure of the concept of a German "counteroffensive from the move" -- The end of the retreat operations in the west and the transition to positional warfare.

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marked a critical turning point in the European theater of World War II. While the D-day invasion has been throughly researched and examined, the crucial period following the invasion, from August to September, has been largely ignored. Offering a valuable account of the conflict from the perspective of the German forces, 'Ruckzug' draws on both Allied and German military records to show that a quick defeat of the Germans was hindered by excessive caution and lack of strategic boldness on the part of the Allies, as well as by the Germans' tactical skill and energy. Derived from book jacket.