The Clay Pigeons of St. Lo (Stackpole Military History Series)

The book deals only with the time frame from when Col. Johns (then Major) inherits the 1st of the 115th until they capture St. Lo. During this time period, we get to see how hedgerow combat was (from the battalion commanders perspective), how German Fallshirmjagers fought, and the pressures higher command applies to their combat organizations. While Col. Johns was a battalion commander, this book does give a feel for front line combat, but no where near as directly as books such as Currah! or The Forgotten Soldier.Col. Johns tells the story of how the 1st of the 115th (his unit) led the way to St Lo. In his telling, Col. Johns uses the third person familiar to describe the events his unit experienced rather than a first person account. This is very refreshing because story takes on more of a story tellers point of view rather than that of a person telling us how great they were.This book is a very good re-telling of Col. Johns experiences in Normandy. If there's a weakness to this book, it's the fact that Col. Johns focuses his telling on the capture of St. Lo rather than his total exerience with the 1st of the 115th. Because of this, I found the book slightly lacking because I really wanted to know what happened to the unit later in the war and also to Col. Johns!I'll recommend this book to those who've read Beyond the Beachhead, have an interest in the Normandy Campaign, or how a battalion commander operated during WWII. Overall, I'll rate this book 4.5 stars (out of a 5 possible). The reason I can't give this one 5 is because I preferred Company Commander by Charles McDonald for telling the struggles of command in combat at the lower levels. Since Amazon doesn't give half stars, I'll give the nod to 5 stars since Col. Johns' book is a compelling read.

This book had a very special meaning for me as my father was one of the “Clay Pigeons of St.Lo”

A wonderfully written account of the battles between Omaha Beach and St Lo. The personal glimpses of the everyday soldier is inspiring and heart wrenching. I will read is again and again.

A light Colonel writes this book in the third person. That makes it quite interesting. Having been there shortly after his story takes place, I find it hard to believe they were still stringing wires for communication. We were using high power 399's for division and army headquarters.The book was good enough that I passed it on to several friends who are history buffs.

I now have all 5 books of Joseph Balkoski's 29th Infantry and St Lo. Every one of the books is excellent. I enjoyed them immensely. I have read many WWII books, and these are right up with the best. Larry Steinman

A truly excellent insight from an officer assigned to the U.S.Army's 1st Battalion,115th Infantry,29th Division,that fought in the hedgerows, fields+streets of Normandy in 1944.He greatly describes the hell,fighting,frustrations,victories,etc.,with great detail.Major Johns later became a great inspiration to future great leaders like Col.David Hackworth.Just a great book over all.A+++++

Well written book. Not over the top or pretentious, just a good retelling of some classic WWII fighting from the battalion level. Highly recommended for anyone of any level of knowledge.

I was a cadet at the VMI when Col Johns was Commandot. He inspired me as a young Army Officer. He was a Soldiers “Soldier”. Few are made like him.

Arrived quickly, just great