For the men who served in America's Amphibious Forces during World War II, the conflict was an unceasing series of D-Days. More than 200 landings were made throughout the conflict, most against well-entrenched enemy positions. Bloodstained Sands: U.S. Amphibious Operations in World War II tells the story of these forgotten men for the first time, tracing their operational history from Guadalcanal to Casablanca and Sicily, Normandy, Iwo Jima and finally Okinawa. First-hand interviews, entries from personal diaries and Action Reports create a unique history. These are timeless tales of determination, sacrifice, and triumph of the human spirit – tales of U.S. Amphibious Forces that for too long have been forgotten and untold.
For the men who served in America's Amphibious Forces during World War II, the conflict was an unceasing series of D-Days. They were responsible for putting men ashore in more than 200 landings throughout the conflict, most against well-entrenched enemy positions. Bloodstained Sands: US Amphibious Operations in World War II tells the story of these forgotten men for the first time, tracing their operational history from Guadalcanal to Casablanca, Sicily, Normandy, Iwo Jima and finally Okinawa. The men's stories are told in their own voices, with fascinating accounts from Underwater Demolition Teams, Attack Transport crews and many other unsung heroes of World War II.
First-hand interviews, entries from personal diaries and Action Reports create a unique history, perfectly complemented by historic illustrations and detailed maps. These are timeless tales of determination, sacrifice, and triumph of the human spirit - tales of US Amphibious Forces that for too long have gone forgotten and untold.
Excerpt
As we lowered our ramp and the soldiers started to charge, they were met with streams of machine gun bullets . . . Enemy snipers had hidden nests on the forward slopes with cross fire taking in every inch of the beach . . . We will never forget the sheer guts, heroism, and fighting ability of the American Infantry man when the going was tough.
Harry Kennedy, a LCVP crewman on the Coast Guard-manned Attack Transport USS Samuel Chase (APA-26)
Professional Reviews
Admiral James Stavridis, USN
"Amphibious operations were one of the keys to victory in World War II. In Bloodstained Sands, Michael Walling tells the gripping stories of the valiant men who made those landings, and then fought and sacrificed to ensure that ultimate victory.
Stephen Coonts, author of FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER
"An amphibious assault on a hostile shore is the most complex and dangerous operation a military force can undertake. Michael G. Walling's account of how the American armed forces learned how to do them by trial and error during World War II, culminating in the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, is riveting history, a story of professionalism, determination, valor and sacrifice. Bloodstained Sands should be required reading for every military officer. Some day we may have to do it again."
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