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1st Infantry Division - 'Big Red One'

$24.95

Spearhead - Book 6
By Ian Westwell
Published in 2001 by Ian Allen Publishing, UK
Softcover, 96 Pages
Size - 25cm * 19cm

The oldest continuously serving division in the US Army, the 1st Infantry Division fought with honour in France during World War I. Its first action in World War II was during the invasion of North Africa, landing on the coast of Algeria.

After the capture of Oran it took part in the taking of Tunisia, including the battle of Kasserine, before playing an important role in the invasion of Sicily. The 'Big Red One' left the Mediterranean Theatre before the invasion of Italy to train for the Normandy landings.

On 6 June 1944 the division was once again in the front line, landing on Omaha beach and fighting tooth and nail for a foothold against a desperate defence. Having performed heroically, the division would go on to fight with distinction during the breakout from Normandy and the advance into the heartland of Germany.

Spearhead looks at the cutting edge of war, units capable of operating completely independently in the forefront of battle. The series examines the unit's:

Origins and history

Organisation, order of battle and how this changed

Battle history, theatre by theatre

Insignia and Markings

Top people biographies of commanders and personalities

Each book ends with an assessment of unit effectiveness – as seen by itself, its opponents and the wider viewpoint of history – and a full reterence section including:

Critical bibliography

Relevant museums or exhibits

Website links

Re-enactment groups

Memorials

About the author
Ian Westwell has worked in publishing for more than 15 years and has been a full-time freelance author since 1997. He has contributed to several military books and periodicals, and has most recently written or co-authored World War One Day By Day, The Encyclopedia of World War l and In the Path of the Third Reich.

Fully Illustrated with B&W photos, 15 colour photos and 10 maps.