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The Day of Battle

The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944

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The Day of Battle

By: Rick Atkinson
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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About this listen

 The harrowing story of one of history's most compelling military campaigns.

In An Army at Dawn—winner of the Pulitzer Prize—Rick Atkinson provided a dramatic and authoritative history of the Allied triumph in North Africa. Now, in The Day of Battle, he follows the American and British armies as they invade Sicily in July 1943, attack Italy two months later, and then fight their way, mile by bloody mile, north toward Rome.

The Italian campaign's outcome was never certain; in fact, President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and their military advisors bitterly debated whether an invasion of the so-called soft underbelly of Europe was even wise. But once underway, the commitment to liberate Italy from the Nazis never wavered, despite the agonizing price. The battles at Salerno, Anzio, the Rapido River, and Cassino were particularly ferocious and lethal, yet as the months passed, the Allied forces continued to drive the Germans up the Italian peninsula. Led by Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, among the war's most complex and controversial commanders, American troops became increasingly determined and proficient. With the liberation of Rome in June 1944, ultimate victory in Europe at last began to seem inevitable.

Drawing on extensive new material from a wide array of primary sources, and written with great drama and flair, The Day of Battle is narrative history of the first rank. Europe Italy Military War Africa United Kingdom Franklin D Roosevelt Imperialism Middle Ages Winston Churchill Rome Interwar Period
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Just loved it - a really excellent and detailed account of the war in Sicily and mainland Italy. The American army comes of age. Great description of Gen Clark and other US commanders. Pomposity of British commanders, esp Gen Alexander highlighted and the limitations of Monty as a battlefield commander much to fore. Story lost some of its gloss after he was recalled to London to prepare for Normandy. Italian soft underbelly of Europe - my eye!
Liked the narrator except for some pronunciations - “Tunisian”, not sure how he managed to pronounce it the way he did!
Enjoy!

Brilliant!

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Excellent American account of this campaign but with due reference to all the allies . It’s both eloquent and moving

Wonderful listen

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