C. Patrick's Reviews > Armageddon: The Battle for Germany, 1944-1945

So far, so good. Very readable narrative.

Having completed the book, here is a passage that stands out for me:

"Matthew Ridgway, commanding XVII Airborne Corps, was absent in England when the German offensive (the Bulge, in December 1944) began. Gavin of the 82nd filled his place superbly through the first days, returning to his own division when the corps commander arrived. The force of Ridgway's personality is stamped upon every line of his correspondence, every record of his conversations. After days in which some senior officers who should have known better panicked, it is striking to contrast Ridgway's remarks to his formation commanders on Christmas Eve: "The situation is normal and completely satisfactory. The enemy has thrown in all his mobile reserves, and this is his last major offensive effort in this war. This Corps will halt that effort; then attack and smash him... I want you to reflect that confidence to the subordinate commanders and staffs in all that you say and do." "