The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-day Sacrifice

Beautiful and sad story of friendship sacrifice. A story of sacrifice and lives not lived. They were truly the Greatest Generation

The Bedford Boys is a well written, highly footnoted book about a town activated National Guard unit sent to England to train and eventually participate in D-Day. Due to the many soldier names mentioned and followed throughout the book it does, at times, get a bit difficult to remember who was who. Regardless, I felt it a good read and recommend it for anyone interested in WWII history.

"The Bedford Boys" is the story of the men from small town Virginia who, as part of the first-wave of the Normandy invasion, spilled their blood on "Bloody Omaha".This book details the lives, loves and end of many men who served in the 29th Infantry Division. The division, made up of National Guard units from Maryland and Virginia was chosen to assault Omaha beach alongside the veteran 1st Infantry Division.The story begins with the prewar, Depression era that impacted the lives of every American, but hit rural areas like Bedford especially hard. This lack of economic opportunity led many of these men to join the National Guard. It also meant that the men of this close-knit, rural area would serve together when war came.This makes for excellent unit cohesion but also risks wiping out the manhood of an entire region when battle takes its toll. The book continues with their training, shipment to England in preparation for invasion of the continent and, finally, their role and massive losses in the amphibious assault.The author very much focuses on the human element in this book. Interviews with surviving veterans, wives and relatives as well as letters from those who perished form he core of this book. It is the story of men and women rather than battles. It delves into their stay in Great Britain and their relations with the English people.The story itself culminates in the inevitable telegrams. The young woman employed by Western Union tells about how, prior to this, she would get a "We regret to inform you..." telegram once a week or once every couple days. In the aftermath of the beach assault, they came...and came...and came. She thought the terrible notices would never end. The author does an excellent job of relating the enormity of the heartbreaking losses sustained on one day in that small Virginia town.My only criticism is that the author does not give an evaluation of the military landings themselves that consigned so many men to "the glorious dead". The fact of the matter is that these men died as a direct result of their own commanders' planning. Despite all the experience gained at the cost of much blood in the Pacific, our military deliberately chose to land our troops directly into the teeth of the German defenses. Men whose landing craft were steered off course or taken there by the strong current largely landed intact with few losses. Those that were landed where they were supposed to were slaughtered.Still and all, as a purely "human interest" type of story, the author has produced a good account of the lives of these "Bedford Boys". May their sacrifice always be remembered. Four stars.

Without books like this, those of us who were not there are prone to forget. Thank you for reminding us that freedom is never free.

This is a great story of a group of men from Bedford, Virginia that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The men from Bedford, Virginia joined the local national guard with no intention of going to Europe or anywhere else to fight a war. They only joined to earn a little extra money during the depression era. They eventually became hero's as they were part of the first wave to hit the Normandy beaches on June 6,1944. This book follows them from the time they joined the service, when they were crossed over into the army,trained to go to Europe,then all of the training and waiting for D-day in Europe. Then that lead to D-Day and what happened to them all that day. Nineteen from Bedford were killed that day. Three more died in the ensuing days. That was by far the most loss per capita of any town in America. The aftermath and how the families of these men dealt with this loss is also told in a very sympathetic way. This is just a very well told story that will keep you interested and engaged all the way through the book.

This book touched me deeply. I once lived in Bedford. The author first narrates the backstory of each of these young men . You feel like you know them as individuals long before they hit the beach in Normandy. Then the story continues with their training in England, and their interactions with people they met and formed friendships with. When the actual invasion happens, it is written with so much detail and clarity that, sometimes I had to walk away and take a break. To follow these young soldiers to their last breath on that beach was just too much. I wept more than once as if losing a friend or famiN. y member.The familes at home during g this time are lovingly presented, like the story of a young Telegraph operator who had to deIver nine of those dreaded messages in one morning. The story of the Bedford boys will stay with with you a long time.

I purchased this book when it was first published. I am native of Bedford, Virginia. I am part of the infamous "Mud Alley Gang", the neighborhood where many of those "Bedford Boys" written about were raised and some families still live there. We have an annual dinner for members of the old neighborhood. It is held the Friday before Thanksgiving each year, and last year we had a discussion about those old days and Alex Kershaw's book. I think it is the most definitive story of our situation. It rates an excellent 5 stars for those of us who lived this story. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kershaw last year when he was the Speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the National D- Day Memorial there in Bedford. I had Mr. Kershaw to autograph my copy and I hope to have it signed by all who attend our dinner this year. I have purchased several others over the years to give to my children and grandchildren, as this story should never be forgotten. ... I will again in a couple weeks urge others who have not yet read the book to please do so. It is indeed "our story" too. .Respectfully SubmittedDale Wilson, Sr.

Fascinating, detailed, moving.The impact of War on a small town and hinterland.Follows each member of the community closely.

Fantastic book

The only one book I have received through Amazon in a really good state. Perfect

著者のドキュメンタリー戦史の代表作。作戦を個々の兵を通して描くのがカーショーさんの手法。米国ヴァージニア州の田舎町ベッドフォードの若者が所属した米陸軍第29師団116A大隊を追う。元は州軍だったので実戦配備は遅く、D-day まで20ヶ月も訓練とはお気の毒さま！！いざ実戦では激戦のオマハビーチで、その戦闘の様子は個々の取材から再現され実に生々しく迫力に満ちている。上陸用舟艇の前扉（ランプ）が開くやいなや独軍の機関銃にバタバタと集中砲火を浴びる様など悲惨。上陸日に19人戦死で、米国でこんなに集中して戦死者を出した町はないそうで、そのためにこの町を取り上げることになったらしい。戦死を伝える電報がどっと届いた日の町人の様子とか、一方で無事帰郷した兵の複雑な気持ちなど哀れだ。その他、例の独軍Eボート9隻による奇襲（4月28日）への言及が興味深い。訓練中3隻のLSTが沈没、数百名が戦死、その後、厳重なかん口令がしかれ、食堂での会話も禁じられ、注文は指で示すよう指示されたとか！！？

This book is part oral history and the story of young men from one small town who enlist in World War 2. It is written in journalist style and is therefore an easy and very absorbing read. As well as reading it myself, I have lent it to my sons who have also rated it highly.