E. J. Kahn (1916–1994)

I found the introduction of this book very interesting covering formation of WWII Army divisions and makeup of units. As I started to read individual division histories, they seem to each be written by different persons. 2 pages per division. Some were specific event oriented or written by persons doing their utmost to make glorify select divisions. Others are general histories clearly not written by a person associated with the unit. Not consistent. Examples: During the Ardennes Offensive, the worst hit infantry divisions were the 28th and 106th. Most of the chapter for the 106th was used to describe its role in that battle. Some interesting detail. Whereas the 2 page chapter for the 28th had a mere 2 sentences that referenced to the Battle of the Bulge.

I was hoping for a consistent comparison of army divisions. But this was not the book for that. A reader should do more research than this book to get a clear picture of individual division unit histories.… (mehr)