The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II (Book Notes)
The First Wave, written by acclaimed military historian Alex Kershaw, is a gripping and deeply human chronicle of the Allied soldiers who were the first to land on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944 - D-Day. With precision and pathos, Kershaw honors the extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and leadership of those who led the charge during the most pivotal invasion of World War II. The book is both a panoramic view of Operation Overlord and an intimate portrait of individual heroism, threading together personal stories to illustrate the broader arc of the Allied victory in Europe.
Kershaw structures the book chronologically around D-Day, beginning with the tense buildup to the invasion, the amphibious landings themselves, and the grueling hours and days that followed. Rather than a general survey of the operation, the book zeroes in on a tightly focused cast of real-life characters - “the first wave” of soldiers who bore the brunt of the initial assault.
Among the standout figures profiled:
- Lieutenant Bob Edlin, who led the first platoon to scale the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, helping silence German guns that could have devastated the invasion force.
- Brigadier General Norman “Dutch” Cota, who landed with the 29th Infantry Division at Omaha Beach and famously rallied demoralized troops with the cry, “Rangers, lead the way!”
- Major John Spalding, a quiet but courageous officer who led a small band through treacherous terrain under relentless fire, showing leadership under chaos.
- Lord Lovat and his bagpiper Bill Millin, whose eccentric march across Sword Beach with bagpipes blazing became legendary, symbolizing British grit and flair.
Kershaw also pays tribute to elite units such as the U.S. Army Rangers, British Commandos, Canadian infantrymen, and Free French soldiers, showing how multinational cooperation was key to success. His narrative dives into the tactical complexity of the assault, highlighting the meticulous planning but also the improvisation and courage that made success possible when things went wrong - as they often did.
The author balances scenes of combat with deeply researched backstories, portraying these men not just as warriors but as human beings - some haunted, some hardened, some idealistic - who carried the immense burden of liberating Europe from tyranny.
BOOK NOTES:
- The book’s central theme is the raw courage displayed by ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Kershaw portrays heroism not as cinematic bravado but as gritty, desperate, often terrifying action in the face of overwhelming odds.
- A recurring motif is the decisive role of small-unit leaders - lieutenants, sergeants, and captains - whose quick thinking and willingness to risk everything often determined success or failure on the beaches.
- The camaraderie and mutual reliance among the soldiers form the emotional heart of the book. Kershaw’s interviews with veterans and use of personal letters and diaries bring these bonds to life.
- The book ends with a sober reflection on the cost of victory and the importance of remembering the individuals who secured freedom through unimaginable sacrifice.
Kershaw’s writing is vivid and cinematic, capturing both the terror of combat and the poignancy of personal stories. His background as a journalist informs his ability to humanize history without sensationalism. The book has been widely praised for its blend of narrative urgency and historical fidelity, earning comparisons to Stephen Ambrose and Antony Beevor.
SUMMARY: The First Wave is an essential addition to the canon of World War II history, not because it breaks new ground in strategic analysis, but because it honors the human dimension of one of the most consequential days in modern history. With compassion, clarity, and drama, Alex Kershaw ensures that the stories of those who led the way on D-Day will not be forgotten. It is a fitting tribute to courage under fire and a poignant reminder of what was at stake on June 6, 1944.
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