Through the personal accounts of those who took part in fighting on both sides, and of the French civilians caught up in it, McKee weaves a terrible and heroic tapestry of the ‘now or never’ stand that finally secured the allied position in Europe. There is the Scottish soldier who saw two hundred men of his battalion fall in a single morning without any advance; The Canadian tank commander whose entire squadron was destroyed in less than five minutes; the German Panzer crews who endured an attack by 2,100 bombers. Back and forth the battle raged with fearful losses, culminating, in August, and the breakthrough that marked the end of the agony of CAEN. Today it is often forgotten that D-Day was not a single day, decisive victory. This book forcibly reminds us at what cost the German defeat was insured.

Map on lining papers. Originally published in London in 1964. 1st American ed. published in 1966 with title: Last round against Rommel.

The long wait: 1940 to 1944 -- That reminds me of Verdun! -- The battle on the beaches -- A taste of champagne -- Throw them into the sea! -- Jerry 's on the run! -- We're going swanning! -- Smudger, you'll never get to ‘Eaven! -- The most famous Gale since the Armada -- The birth of the ‘Butcher Bears -- The Battle of the Scottish Corridor -- The counter attacks come in -- No prisoners are taken that day on either side -- We were meant to die in Caen! -- The hill of Calvary -- The greatest air raid of all time -- Death ride of the Armored divisions – Oh Canada! -- Dickie’s bridge -- Little Switzerland -- The mad charge -- The cauldron.