Where the Hell are the Guns?

Where the Hell are the Guns? follows George Blackburn's experiences as an artillery officer during World War II. The memoir details his training in Canada and England before deployment to the European front in 1944. The book documents the challenges faced by Allied artillery units as they supported infantry operations from D-Day through the liberation of Europe. Blackburn provides first-hand accounts of combat situations and military strategy from his perspective as a forward observation officer. Through precise descriptions of artillery procedures and daily military life, the book presents both the technical aspects of warfare and the human elements of soldiers' experiences. The narrative covers the period from 1944 to 1945, focusing on the Canadian Army's role in the European campaign. The memoir stands as both a personal testament and a historical record, highlighting the essential but often overlooked role of artillery support in World War II operations. The title itself reflects the urgent relationship between infantry and artillery units during combat.

Readers describe this book as a detailed firsthand account of artillery operations in WWII from a Canadian perspective. Based on Blackburn's personal diaries and records, the narrative provides technical insights into artillery warfare while maintaining engagement through personal stories. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex artillery procedures - Balance between military details and human experiences - Fresh perspective on Canadian WWII contributions - Maps and illustrations supporting the narrative What readers disliked: - Some found early training sections too lengthy - Military jargon can be challenging for casual readers Review Scores: Amazon: 4.7/5 (14 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (12 reviews) Notable reader comments: "Best description of artillery operations I've encountered" - Amazon reviewer "Details the oft-overlooked Canadian artillery's role in liberating Europe" - Goodreads reviewer "Training sections could have been condensed" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 George Blackburn served as an artillery officer during WWII and wrote this memoir 50 years after his wartime experiences, providing an unusually detailed and fresh perspective despite the passage of time. 🔹 The book's title comes from a desperate cry during the Normandy campaign when infantry units were waiting for artillery support that seemed frustratingly slow to arrive. 🔹 Blackburn meticulously recorded his war experiences in 12 small notebooks during the conflict, which he later used to ensure accuracy in his writing, rather than relying solely on memory. 🔹 The author fought through five European countries during WWII: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, beginning with the D-Day landings in Normandy. 🔹 After the war, Blackburn became a successful television producer for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and was awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian culture and history.