Panzers in Normandy: General Hans Eberbach and the German Defense of France, 1944

In July 1944, after fighting in most of Germany's campaigns--Poland, France in 1940, the Eastern Front--and then serving as Heinz Guderian's troubleshooter, General of Panzer Troops Hans Eberbach took command of Panzer Group West near the vital city of Caen in the British sector of Normandy. During the next two months, Eberbach led German tanks against the Allied onslaught in an ultimately vain attempt to stop the breakthrough into France's interior. Captured by the British at the end of August, Eberbach nevertheless secured himself a place among Germany's best panzer leaders.

Samuel W. Mitcham Jr., a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and college professor, has written numerous books on World War II, including Retreat to the Reich (978-0-8117-3384-7), Panzer Commanders of the Western Front (978-0-8117-3507-0), and Panzers in Winter (978-0-8117-3456-1). He lives in Louisiana.