D-Day : The First 24 Hours

Comprehensively examining the first 24 hours of the liberation of Europe, this work includes first hand accounts from both sides, vivid photographs and specially commissioned maps of the landing areas and combat zones.

With first-hand accounts from both sides, vivid photographs and specially commissioned maps of the landing areas and combat zones, this book is a comprehensive examination of the first 24 hours of the liberation of Europe. - Nearly 7,000 ships landed over 132,000 US, British and Canadian troops on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944 and, had the landing failed, the course of the war would have been altered. - This book gives the dramatic history of the first 24 hours of the Normandy landings and explains in detail the events that occurred in each landing zone. - It starts with an overview of the preparations for the landings and the disposition of German forces around Normandy, then gives a dedicated chapter to the airborne and glider landings which preceded the main assault and each of the individual beach landings. - Includes first-hand accounts of combat on the Normandy beaches. - Detailed timelines give a breakdown of events on each of the five beaches codenamed Utah and Omaha for the US beaches and Gold, Juno and Sword for the British and Canadian. - Specially commissioned maps show the areas of operation and movement of forces.