Featured battle : Chattanooga - Missionary Ridge

Part of American Civil War

Date : 24 November 1863 - 25 November 1863

Grants plan to take Missionary Ridge formed the second phase of the battle (see Lookout Mountain). Thomas's Army of the Cumberland was still badly shaken after their rough handling at Chickamauga so they were placed opposite the Confederate centre to make demonstrations and prevent reinforcement of the flanks. Here it was that the main fight was to take place. Sherman's weary troops were to attack the confederate right while Hooker was to advance from Lookout to attack the left flank of the ridge. On the 24th, Shermans troops took the position they were aimed at, only to find it not part of the ridge at all but a separate spur. The following day a spirited defence by Bragg's finest division under Cleburne held them back. Hookers attack on the 25th was delayed by broken bridges, so Thomas was sent to make a limited attack on the first of the confederate's three central defensive lines. With something to prove to both themselves and their comrades, Thomas' four divisions swept over this first line, rebel skirmishers falling back to the second defences. They didn't stop, however, and not liking their chances in the open exposed to fire from above kept after the retreating troops. This thoroughly confused, and panicked, the defenders who broke and fled. Only a stout rearguard action by Cleburne stopped closer pursuit.

Battle for the Bocage 1944

Tim Saunders
This is the story of one small campaign of a whole world war. This is the crucial action which turned a toe hold into a hand hold. The desperate struggle which was pushed forward by the 50th Division aided by 7th and 8th Armoured divisions, Royal Artillery and all other support arms. The text is very clear and there are numerous photographs, almost one per page, of the people and the equipment. There are maps of different kinds which cover every planned advance and the general area of operations. Unfortunately not a single one has the scale which leaves the reader to work hard with the text to understand the distances involved.
The narrative works at the level of divisions, battalions, batteries, companies, platoons, squadrons, troops, sections and individuals. The ‘voices’ of the officers and men plus their various citations for bravery tell a vivid tale. Also the German side is not neglected from the reporting of actions and feelings. I would like to have seen a full body count at the end for this campaign, it must have been very high and would have served as a sobering reminder of the real cost of this ‘hand hold’.
This book is not easy to put down, it’s a real page turner. You may of course reflect that when you finish it the campaign will be much clearer to you than it was at the time to any of those involved from Army commander to Tommy Atkins. The fog of war has been blown away by Tim Saunders.
We highly recommend this great read.

Pen & Sword Military, 2021