FRANCE South West: Das Reich: 2nd SS Panzer Division Drive to Normandy, June 1944

Ordered to proceed to Normandy to contain the Allied landings, the 2nd SS "Das Reich" Panzer Division's journey turned into a nightmare of ambushes and reprisals. SS reprisals culminated in the massacre at Oradour, probably the largest killing of civilians on the Western Front. Heavily illustrated in the Battleground Europe style. Follow the infamous 2nd SS Panzer Division on its march through Southwest France to the Massacre at Oradour with this illustrated battlefield guide. The 2nd SS Das Reich Division Das Reich committed was an elite division known for its ruthlessness. Stationed in the French village of Montauban, near Toulouse, when the Allies invaded Normandy in 1944. When ordered to rush North, they ran into a series of French Resistance, SAS, and SOE delaying actions. The Division responded with vicious reprisals that culminated in the Massacre at Oradour. Illustrated with maps and photographs, this battlefield guide offers in-depth historical context for these events. Bringing to life the heroism and tragedy, the author presents the British, French, and German viewpoints. "The infamous SS Das Reich Division was resting in Montauban, South West France when the Allies invaded Normandy in June 1944. When ordered to rush north, they ran into a series of French Resistance, SAS and SOE delaying actions. This ruthless Division reacted violently and their reprisals culminated in the Massacre at Oradour. This book tells the story of those heroic and tragic days from the British, French and German viewpoints"--Publisher's website