Tip of the Spear
An Intimate Account of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion, 1942-1945
- Publisher
- Dundurn Press
- Initial publish date
- Oct 2002
- Category
- Canada, General, General
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781459712829
- Publish Date
- Oct 2002
- List Price
- $10.99
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Description
In the midst of the Second World War, the Germans introduced a new kind of warfare that had never been seen before, featuring a new kind of soldier: the paratrooper. The public and military alike were astonished by the feats of daring and martial prowess displayed by the intrepid troops, who soon became the epitome of the modern combat soldier.
The Allies countered by setting up their own airborne forces. In Canada, 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion was established to serve as the "tip of the spear" of Allied attacks. In fact, it was this battalion that was first into Normandy for the D-Day invasion.
Tip of the Spear tells in stunning black-and-white pictures the story of the Battalion from its inception in 1942 to its disbandment in 1945. Without question, the Battalion - or more accurately, its members - laid the foundation and established the airborne legacy that other Canadian airborne establishments could proudly follow and build on.
About the authors
Colonel Bernd Horn, an experienced Canadian Forces infantry officer, is currently chief of staff of the Land Forces Development and Training System. Dr. Horn is also an adjunct professor of history at the Royal Military College and has authored, co-authored, or edited 28 books. Some of his recent publications are Fortune Favours the Brave and Show No Fear. He lives in Kingston, Ontario.
Michel Wyczynski has worked at the National Archives of Canada for the past 24 years, primarily in political and military archives. He is the honorary archivist for the Canadian Airborne Forces Museum, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association, and the Airborne Regiment Association of Canada.
Editorial Reviews
"thumbing through this pictorial chronicle feels like looking at someone's personal photo album."
The Examiner (Peterborough, ON)
"I think of Tip of the Spear as a sort of reverse Father's Day present. As a childless man, it is the only Father's Day gift I've ever been given."
Vancouver Sun
"stunning photographs give this book a broad appeal."
Comox Valley Record
"For an insight into a war-raised battalion, and as a model of how to publish historic photographs, this book has few equals. For students of airborne forces uniform and equipment, it is a must."
Society for Army Historical Research Journal, Vol. lXXX1, No. 328
"offers a good mix of both training and "in action" photos, casual snaps and formal portraits."
Daily News (Halifax, NS)
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The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command / Le Commandement des Forces d’Opérations Spéciales du Canada
Canadian Forces in Afghanistan 3-Book Bundle
No Easy Task / No Ordinary Men / No Lack of Courage
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Special Operations Forces Missions in Afghanistan
A Most Ungentlemanly Way of War
The SOE and the Canadian Connection
Forced to Change
Crisis and Reform in the Canadian Armed Forces
Of Courage and Determination
The First Special Service Force, "The Devil's Brigade," 1942–44
Doing Canada Proud
The Second Boer War and the Battle of Paardeberg
No Easy Task
Fighting in Afghanistan
Battle Cries in the Wilderness
The Struggle for North America in the Seven Years’ War
