US Army Rangers

"FM 22-100 Basic Field Manual" This is the standard Soldiers Handbook and a pre-requisite to re-enacting WWII infantrymen. Full of lots of original information.

"Training for Bloody Omaha" - By Richard N. Hathaway Jr. Contains a ton of info that pertains to the US Army Rangers.

"Darby's Rangers, We Led the Way" - By none other than commander William O. Darby himself. This is a must read for Ranger re-enactors. Darby's account of the Rangers and their experiences covers things from inception to deactivation and is un-matched.

"U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces of World War II" - This big, well illustrated book by Robert Todd Ross covers lots of the gear and other items used by the Rangers. It also covers said gear by campaign, so rather than an encyclopedia of pistol belts and helmets, you get a good look at items by campaign with lots of original photos to go along with it.

"Spearheading D-Day" - By Jonathan Gawne is another publication pertaining mostly to the Rangers; and another must read.

"The Liberation of Pointe Du Hoc: The 2nd Rangers At Normandy" - By JoAnna M. McDonald, this book covers the Rangers at the Pointe in depth. Another must read for D-Day topics.

"Rangers in WWII" - This book by Robert W. Black, while not quite as well put-together as others still has lots of good info in it. There are a small number of inconsistencies in it that seem to come up, but still full of great info; especially on the later campaigns.

“Infantry Weapons of World War II” - Jan Suermont
An excellent source for studying and collecting weapons from WWII. Here 250 pages of full colored photos rifles, pistols, machine guns, submachine guns, mortars, and anti-tank weapons. The text includes the background of the weapon, pros and cons, manufacture, and even how much they would/should cost you. Color photos include detailed close ups of manufacture stamps, variations between models, and even on details that should be noted when searching for a WWII weapon.

“The GI in Combat” - Steven J. Zaloga
I highly suggest buying this short and sweet book that is all about gear and uniforms worn in Northwest Europe by GI’s between 1944-45. The book is filled with photos and captions- that’s about it. Many of the photos I have never seen before. The photos are great shots of guys in combat and looks at what they are wearing or carrying. I have not seen this book at book stores (i.e. Borders, or Barnes and Noble). I found my copy at a hobby store. Very useful for the WWII re-enactor or collector.

“Government Issue: Collector’s Guide” - Henri-Paul Enjames
Get it. This book is the best out there when it comes to collecting Army Militaria from the ETO. Photos, Photos, Photos. Get it.

Reference

“The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II” - Chris Bishop (.ed)
The encyclopedia of weapons is a great guide when studying any battle in WWII. It covers, in great detail, rifles, machine guns, artillery, anti-tank guns, fighters, bombers, landing craft, aircraft carriers, grenades, bombs, tanks, and even the Russian antitank dogs. It’s a huge book that is filled with photos and detailed summaries of all the previously states subjects. Plus a lot more.

“Tanks of World War Two” - Jean Restayn
A beautifully illustrated study of armor during the second world war. This is not your average tank book that covers armament, manufacturer, and tread width. Restayn investigates unit markings, tank variations, modifications, and camouflage schemes. A very colorful study of German, British, Russian, and American tanks.

“The World Almanac of World War II” Brigadier Peter Young (.ed)
The WWII almanac should be any historians desk side reference to the second world war. It has 600 pages covering the day by day events that shaped the war. Also has a very large section in reference to weapons, vehicles, tanks, etc.

“The Historical Encyclopedia of World War II” - Marcek Baudot (.ed)
This encyclopedia is a great reference when it come to understanding the basics of everything in the War. It has articles on Operations, battles, leaders, and weapons. Also includes many maps. Grids and tables explain things from human losses to materials used by each nation. The book is published by Facts on File.

“World War II for Dummies” - Keith D. Dickson
Have to admit that this is a great reference book when studying the war as a whole. This book is set up very well with short summaries and key points of interest

“Allied Photo Reconnaissance of World War II” - Chris Staerck (.ed)
A great book when studying the aerial reconnaissance. Many different operations and battles are covered in this book from Operation Sea Lion to the POW camps in Germany. Dozens of aerial photos, some including the original reconnaissance notes.

“Tobruk Typology” - Bernard Paich
My version is “Tobrouks Typologie” but maybe you can find the English Version. This is a great guide when studying the different types of Tobruks that dotted the coasts of Europe. (Tobruks are concrete machine gun pits). If you are fascinated with the Atlantic Wall, you have to get this book. Same goes for anyone who plans to go, or has been, to Normandy. These concrete positions are still everywhere.

“Standard Guide to U.S. World War II Tanks & Artillery” - Konrad F. Schreier
This could also have gone in the reference section, but oh well. This guide is filled with manual type images and period instructions and such. Basically, as the title states, its all about tanks and artillery. Very helpful.

“Fortress Europe” - George Forty
Great when studying the Atlantic Wall. It includes diagrams of casements and pillboxes, different calibers of weapons used, the numbers and types of guns used, and their locations. Fortress Europe also goes in depth about the ideas behind the plans for building the bunkers and beach obstacles.

“The Liberation of Pointe Du Hoc” - JoAnna M. McDonald
This is the most in depth reading I have done on a single unit on a specific event. This is magnificent read about the history of the Rangers, their training, and eventually their experience on the plateau of Pointe Du Hoc. It follows individual men as closely as Ambrose’s Band of Brothers.

“Hell’s Highway” - George Koskimaki
Hell’s highway is a must read when studying the 101st airborne and/or Operation Market Garden. Hell’s highway is a great collection of troop movements and individual experiences with the doomed operation. Koskimaki is a notable WWII historian who focuses on the 101st airborne. He also wrote D-Day with the Screaming Eagles and The Battered Bastards of Bastogne.

“Breaching Fortress Europe” - Sid Berger
An astonishing study of the Engineers and the roll they played on D-Day. I borrow this book from Mike, and he probably won’t get it back. Breaching Fortress Europe is a must read when investigating the U.S. engineers and or the Atlantic Wall. Berger covers beach obstacles, engineer training, gear, and techniques. The book also include four large bigot maps of Omaha and Utah beaches

“The Bedford Boys” - Alex Kershaw
It is specifically about the men, or “boys”, from A company, 116th Regiment, 29 Infantry Division. This entire unit met its fate on D-Day. This book is a great window into the lives of the men who landed on Dog Green at H-Hour, and the fate that awaited them on June 6th.

“The Campaign for Guadalcanal” - Jack Coggins
This is a great book for studying Guadalcanal. And it is filled with all types of useful information that will aid any reader interested in the Pacific Theatre. Includes land, sea, and air tactics. The book is also filled with manual type instructions for artillery, small arms, and even dive bombing.

“Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions” - Samuel Eliot Morison
Volume IV of Morison’s “History of the United States Naval Operations in World War II”. This is an astonishing account of the first naval operations of the War in the Pacific. Morison uses first hand accounts and many action reports to put together this very interesting read of the Battle of Coral Sea and Midway. This book alone sparked my interest in Naval operations. I couldn’t put it down. The details are amazing.

“Six Armies in Normandy” - John Keegan
I had to buy this book for a class but I did not return it to get my money back. Keegan, famed for his writings on military history, does a superb job of writing about six nations and their participation in the Normandy Campaign. This is a great book if one wants to know anything about the Americans, British, Canadians, Germans, Scottish, and the French involvement in Normandy.

“Battleground Europe” - Time Kilvert-Jones
This is not a book, but a series. The battleground series is a great in depth study of the battles that took place in Europe. There are many of these books and I find that they are all worth reading. They include first hand accounts, after action reports, photos, and is also a great “battlefields today” guide. The books include many “then and now” photos that help bring the stories to life. Some of the books include, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, St. Lo, Sword, Pegasus Bridge, Hill 112, Hells Highway, Nijmegen, Dunkirk, St Vith, and lots, lots more.

“The Battle of the Hedgerows” - Leo Daugherty
The Battle of the Hedgerows is a great book to get a summarized overall look at the D-Day and the days following the invasion. It has numerous pages of large photos and lots of color maps to show unit movements. It includes a various amount of information about the generals, Allied and Axis alike, weapons, equipment, and also descriptions of tactics used.

“The Invasion of France and Germany” - Samuel Eliot Morison
This is volume XI of Morison’s “History of the United States Naval Operations in World War II. This has great insight to Operation Neptune and the invasion of France. Again, Morison’s in-depth writing make this book hard to put down.

“U.S. Army Atlas of the European Theatre in World War II” - Donald L. Gilmore (.ed)
You know those maps you see in the Ambrose books, that’s all this books is – maps. It’s a huge book (18” x 12”) that has137 color maps from the ETO. A great asset if studying the campaigns and troop movements of the ETO.

"Panzer Commander The Memoirs of Colonel Hans von Luck" - German combat vet commander Hans Von Luck recounts his experience of the war from his childhood to his release from Russian captivity post-war. A very good book spanning both fronts.

“The First Heroes” - Graig Nelson
An awesome account of the Doolittle Raid. First heroes is a must have.

“The Invasion Before Normandy” - Edwin P. Hoyt
Dieppe right? – wrong. This book is all about the tragic events of Operation Tiger at Slapton Sands. It also includes many insights into the preparations for D-day, more than your typical D-Day book. It takes a detailed look at the Bigot documents, operation Fortitude, and all the spies and double agents involved in keeping Overlord’s “When & Where” hidden from the Germans.

“Omaha Beach” - Joseph Balkoski
I find this to be the best book available when studying the assault on Omaha Beach. Balkoski follows units as they touchdown on the beach from 1st person accounts and after action reports. He does a magnificent job following individual teams, men, landing craft, and small units that fought on Omaha Beach. It is filled with maps that show troop and landing craft movements. Learn about the LCT’s and LCI’s, which craft carried which men from what unit to what part of Omaha. Excellent.

“Cross Channel Attack” - Gordon A. Harrison
Everything. This book has everything when studying Operation Overlord. Over 500 (big) pages of maps, recon photos, and all the information you would want to know about the cross channel attack. I will leave this description as broad as the book itself.

“Voices of D-Day” - Ronald J. Drez (.ed)
Voices of D-day is an awesome book that is filled 100% with first hand accounts from men who fought on D-day. Men talk about their accounts on the landing craft, from the air, from St. Mere Eglise, Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword, and Point Du Hoc. Very interesting.

“Major & Mrs Holts’s Battlefield Guide: Normandy Landing Beaches” - Tonnie Holt
Ever plan on going to Normandy? Not without this. This is an excellent guide that includes a large map of Normandy. The map lists bunkers, cemeteries, monuments and museums. It is also filled with information about events that took place at certain areas. Aside from the guide, Holt does a magnificent job including much of the history and planning of the assault. I took this book along on my trips to Normandy, and it really was helpful, especially in the British sectors. I used this book alone to find sites that I have read about in other books. Get it.

“The Longest Day” - Cornelius Ryan
Probably the best book out their when studying D-Day. Ryan’s classic is written in such a way with great detail, that it almost reads like a novel. He paints vivid images of the scenes he writes about, such as the library where Eisenhower said “go”, or Rommel’s office in La Roche-Guyon. This book is hard to put down. Like the film, it covers the generals, privates, and even civilians. Classic.