Following the success of D-Day and the Campaign in Normandy, the Allies still had to liberate France, before they could concentrate on the Low Countries. We will take an intensive look at many of the actions of this pivotal timeframe for the battlefields of Europe during the Second World War. This course focuses on the ill-advised and tragic “Operation Market-Garden,” an Allied attempt to drive through the Netherlands and into Germany, as well as the Battles of Aachen, the Huertgen Forest, and the Bulge, followed by the need to seize bridges over the Rhine, including the Bridge at Remagen.

Military historian and Colonel (retired) Lawrence Saul served for 37 years in the US Army, including tours in Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, Kosovo and other locations. He was one of the last veterans of the Vietnam War still serving on active duty when he retired in 2008. A dedicated OLLI volunteer instructor, Saul has taught more than 150 military history courses at Clemson, California State University – San Marcos, Emory, the University of South Carolina – Bluffton, and the University of Georgia. Colonel Saul has a BA in History from Georgia State University as well as two master’s degrees. He also has extensive experience as a Battlefield Tour Guide.