The Allied invasion of occupied France began by delivering three airborne and six infantry divisions onto a 60-mile stretch of the Normandy coast. Accomplishing this involved over 1,200 transport aircraft, 450 gliders, 325 assorted warships and more than 4,000 landing vessels. The first 72 hours of the D-Day invasion were pivotal - from the initial airborne landings in the early hours of Tuesday 6 June 1944 we follow the Allied attackers and their German opponents hour-by-hour as they fought until fresh units began to take over from Thursday 8 June 1944.

William F. Buckingham's astounding history finally lays to rest the myths surrounding the Normandy invasion. He contradicts the popular perception that the American OMAHA landing force suffered disproportionately. In fact, the fighting on the British and Canadian beaches (GOLD, SWORD and JUNO) was no less intense, and the cost was much closer to that of OMAHA than is commonly thought. The reality of D-Day was that a devastating number of men from all sides of the Allied forces who landed on the beaches that day would never set foot on their native soil again.

The Allied invasion of occupied France began with the delivery of three airborne and six infantry divisions onto a 60-mile stretch of the Normandy coast.

About the Author
William F. Buckingham completed his PhD on the establishment and initial development of British Airborne Forces in 2001. His other books include Arnhem 1944. He lives near Glasgow.


Book Information
ISBN 9780752428420
Author William F Buckingham
Format Paperback
Imprint The History Press Ltd
Publisher The History Press Ltd