BBC TV documentary - "Normandy - 44 - The Battle Beyond D-Day" - presented by James Holland

The BBC TV documentary - "Normandy - 44 - The Battle Beyond D-Day" - presented by James Holland... is due to be repeated Sunday (3rd June 2018) at 9 pm on the the UK TV channel BBC4:

BBC Two - Normandy '44: The Battle Beyond D-Day

"As veterans gather to relive one of the turning points of the Second World War, historian James Holland moves beyond the D-Day beaches to reassess the brutal 77-day Battle for Normandy that followed the invasion.

Challenging some of the many myths that have grown up around this vital campaign, Holland argues that we have become too comfortable in our understanding of events, developing shorthand to tell this famous story that does great injustice to those that saw action in France across the summer of 1944.

Including perspectives from those who fought on both sides, Holland examines not only the nature of the fighting and the higher aims of the campaign, but also the operational level - the nuts and bolts - and in so doing reveals the true complexity of this bitter and bloody battle.

This story is about the challenge for both sides to adapt to conditions in a campaign of carnage that has rarely been acknowledged.

More than just well trodden tales of heroic struggle, it is also the story of two competing military doctrines: one ill-prepared for the organisational demands of a long battle, the other in the process of building the greatest military machine ever seen."

 

Recent tweet: James Holland on Twitter

"Do have a watch if you haven’t already. Subject of next book too..."

Among others, suggests a forthcoming book, Normandy - 44, by James Holland on the subject too.

Not sure, yet, of the schedule for this, though again on twitter, a further post suggests May 2019 if "things go to plan".

 

A good programme, lots of content on the SRY.

Remembering Laurence Joseph Cribben MM, KIA at Flesselles on 1 September '44.

 

Although some valid points were made it seemed a bit random. Why introduce the operational level and then talk mostly at the tactical?

 

A glance at a bit more of a recent to-and-fro, on twitter, re. the program’s recent repeat, also shows a fair few points being made, some somewhat at random (perhaps) too ;-)

I’m not sure if twitter is the very best way to ask authors / presenters specific questions, and get a guaranteed response, people want to read, but it seems to work in a fair few cases i.e. this recent one, for example - James Holland on Twitter

“The most numerous German tank in Normandy was the Panzer IV. Give me six hours of TV and I’ll cover all of that. One of the reasons for writing a book.”

 

There's also ref's to an article (written originally in 2014 I think) to accompany the BBC TV program, for the BBC History magazine:

D-Day: a resounding success for the Allies

Nb. Some of articles on the BBC History magazine are only for subscribers, but this one is (at least currently - 6th June 2018) on the homepage, and available for non-subscribers to view: Home

 

Along similar lines: Normandy 44: D-Day and the Battle for France





Published on 7 May 2019
Renowned World War Two historian James Holland presents an entirely new perspective on one of the most important moments in recent history. Order now: https://amzn.to/2IJETkf

Unflinchingly examining the brutality and violence that characterised the campaign, it's time to draw some radically different conclusions.

Read more from James: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/20...
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D-Day and the 76 days of bitter fighting in Normandy that followed have come to be seen as a defining episode in the Second World War. Its story has been endlessly retold, and yet it remains a narrative burdened by both myth and assumed knowledge.

In this reexamined history, James Holland presents a broader overview, one that challenges much of what we think we know about D-Day and the Normandy campaign. The sheer size and scale of the Allies’ war machine ultimately dominates the strategic, operational and tactical limitations of the German forces.

This was a brutal campaign. In terms of daily casualties, the numbers were worse than for any one battle during the First World War.

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·Drawing on unseen archives and testimonies from around the world

·Introducing a cast of eye-witnesses that includes foot soldiers, tank men, fighter pilots and bomber crews, sailors, civilians, resistance fighters and those directing the action

·An epic telling that will profoundly recalibrate our understanding of its true place in the tide of human history

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