Normandy to Dachau tells the story of a young man who was drafted to fight during World War II.R.H. Kiley shares that even though it was not uncommon for multiple children from the same family to go overseas to fight, Americans were solidly behind the mission to save the world from Nazi domination.Kiley served in the 283rd Field Artillery Unit, which earned the distinction of being the longest continuously operating field artillery unit in World War II. The 283rd supported infantry advances in northern France, eventually crossing the Rhine River and into Germany.The author was among the first troops to enter Dachau, where he witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust and the joy and relief of liberated surviving prisoners. He also arrived at Berchtesgaden shortly after the departure of the Germans.This narrative is not an accounting of the author s outstanding, heroic feats although he does share how he successfully captured four German soldiers without a weapon. Rather, it s an attempt to share recollections of everyday experiences over 2 years as a soldier.Some members of the 283rd were wounded, and some were killed. The survivors were left with vivid memories.
