Category: D-Day

GILBERT, Martin. D-Day. 220p., bibliog., illus., index. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2004. ISBN: 0471423408.

A short overview with a strong account of the deception planning and the preparation for the invasion, as well as the landings themselves, by a noted historian.

SCARFE, Norman. Assault Division: A History of the 3rd Division from the Invasion of Normandy to the Surrender of Germany. 288p., illus. London: Collins, 1947.

Not entirely relevant, but gives a good account of the preparations for D-Day and the exercises leading up to it. Reprinted by Spellmount in 2006 (ISBN: 1862273383).

LEGG, Rodney. Dorset’s War Diary: Battle of Britain to D-Day.336p., illus., index. Wincanton: Dorset Publishing Company, 2004. ISBN: 0948699795.

An amended and updated version of his earlier work on this frontline county. Has  almost 900 entries and 500 photographs. Despite its title, the whole 1939-45 period is covered.

DE LAUNAY, J.  Arromanches 44: The Normandy Invasion. 82p., bibliog., illus. Brussels: Kina, 1984.

A rather poorly translated and badly proofread background essay which is profusely illustrated.

WELCH, Ken. A Sailor at War 1939-1945. 174p., illus. Kindle e-book, 2014

The personal memories of Albert Edward Welch, the author’s father, who served on  Mauritius, Capetown, Widnes and Centurion mainly in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, as well as D-Day. A fairly bland if accurate account enlivened with a handful of personal anecdotes.

HOWARTH, David. Dawn of D-Day. 255p., illus. London: Collins; New York: McGraw Hill, 1959.

D-Day as seen by 30 participants from civilians to generals, and all woven into a general account. Some naval interest. US title: D-Day, the Sixth of June. Reprinted by Chivers in 1984 and again reprinted by Greenhill in 2004 with the new sub-title, These Men Were There - 6 June 1944. This was in turn reprinted by Frontline in 2015.

HESKETH, Roger. Fortitude: The D-Day Deception Campaign. xxii, 513p., illus., index. London: St Ermin’s Press, 1999. ISBN: 0316851728.

Written in the late 1940’s as a confidential official history, it is published after being declassified and updated. Republished in the USA in 2000 by Overlook Press. ISBN: 1585670758.

MAYO, Jonathon. D-Day Minute by Minute. 304p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Short Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781780722153.

A chronological account which consists of a whole series of personal reminiscences of particular events. Some naval material.

FORD, Ken & ZALOGA, Steven J. Overlord: The D-Day Landings.368p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Osprey, 2009. ISBN: 9781846034244.

A compilation of brief publications published by Osprey from the 1990’s now issued as a single volume. These are: Badsey, Stephen: Campaign 1: Normandy 1944; Zaloga, Steven J. Campaign 100: D-Day 1944 (1) and Campaign 104: D-Day 1944 (2); Ford, Ken Campaign 105: D-Day 1944 (3) and Campaign 112: D-Day 1944 (4). Gives a detailed account of the action, sector by sector.

SAUNDERS, Tim. A Tour of the Commando and Rangers D Day Landings. 284p., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2010. ISBN: 1844158683.

Special forces played a significant role in the landings.

BRINKLEY, Douglas & DREZ, Ronald J. Voices of Valor. D-Day: June 6, 1944.[v],185p., illus., 2 CDs. New York: Bullfinch, 2004. ISBN: 0821228897.

An American view of the invasion. The well-illustrated volume is based on oral reminiscences which are held at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

LIPSCOMB, Frank. W. D-Day Story. 57, [iii]p., illus. Southsea: Matthews, [1965].

A brief but fact-filled account of the planning and execution of the operation, with notes on Portsmouth Cathedral - the invasion church.

ROBERTSHAW, James. The D-Day War Diaries. Gold Beach: British 50th Northumberland Infantry Division Deployments. 52p., illus. [Witney: author], 2016. ISBN: 9781326753054.

The fourth volume in a series of eight giving a detailed listing of all units engaged in the landings and a brief account of the first seven days of action. Produced for military charities.

ROBERTSHAW, James. The D-Day War Diaries. Juno Beach: Canadian 3rd Army Division Deployments. 52p., illus. [Witney: author], 2016. ISBN: 9781326352837.

The third volume in a series of eight giving a detailed listing of all units engaged in the landings and a brief account of the first seven days of action. Produced for military charities. Sadly it is poorly proofread and the lists of naval vessels are full of errors and wrong classification of ships.

ROBERTSHAW, James. The D-Day War Diaries. Sword Beach: British Third Army Division Deployments. 156p., illus. [Witney: author], 2016. ISBN: 9781326116088.

Gives a detailed listing of all units engaged in the landings and a brief account of the first seven days of action. Produced for military charities.      

HARRIS, Carol. D-Day Diary: Life on the Front Line in the Second World War. 191p., bibliog., illus., index. Stroud: History Press, 2013. ISBN: 978075246202.

A short account of the background, training and landings, enlivened with many brief reminiscences. Some naval relevance.

NEILLANDS, Robin. The Battle of Normandy 1944. 456p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Cassell, 2002. ISBN: 034358371.

Looks at the battles after the landings and so is of marginal naval interest.

BOTTING, Douglas. The Second Front (World War II, Vol. 13). 208p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Time-Life, 1978; Richmond, Va.: Time-Life, 1978. ISBN: 1844471942.

Another volume in the heavily illustrated series of standard histories of the major campaigns and events of WW2. Six text chapters covering the background and the landings are followed by a series of photo essays. Reprinted in 1998 as The D-Day Invasion (ISBN: 0783557019).

ZUEHLKE, Mark. Juno Beach: Canada's D-Day Victory: June 6, 1944. 415p., bibliog., illus., index. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2005. ISBN: 1553650506.

A good popular account of the Canadian experience. First volume of a trilogy which looks at the post D-Day and break out operations.

SAUNDERS, Tim. Commandos and Rangers: D Day Operations. 284p., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2012. ISBN: 1844158363.

Special Forces played a significant role in the landings.

KHAN, Mark. D-Day Assault. 216p., bibliog., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2014. ISBN: 9781781593844.

An account of all aspects of the pre D-Day exercises carried out on and around Slapton Sands.

JOHNSON, C. J. A. Hither and Yon: Memoirs of a Naval Officer 1937-1973. 287p., illus. Bristol: Paralalia, 2007. ISBN: 0954811747.

The autobiography of a happy and successful career naval officer. He joined as a cadet in 1937 and saw wartime service on Verity on the East Coast and in the Atlantic; on Dauntless in the Indian Ocean; and as First Lieutenant on Melbreak in the Channel and at D-Day where he saw much action. He was standing by Chaplet in 1945 as the war drew to a close.

ZUEHLKE, Mark. Juno Beach : Canada's D-Day victory: June 6, 1944. 415p., bibliog., illus., index. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2005. ISBN: 1553650506.

 A good popular account of the Canadian experience. First volume of a trilogy which looks at the post D-Day and break out operations. Reprinted in the UK by Orca in 2012 as Assault on Juno (ISBN: 1459800362).

YOUNG, Peter. D-Day. 64p., illus. London: Bison Books, 1981. ISBN: 0861240340; Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1983. ISBN: 0131961217.

A very basic, heavily illustrated work from a well-known historian.

TENT, James Foster. E-Boat Alert: Defending the Normandy Invasion Fleet. xvii, 287p., bibliog., illus., index. Shrewsbury: Airlife; Annapolis: NIP, 1996. ISBN: 1853107921.

Looks at German E-boat and small boat action in the Channel in the spring and summer of 1944.                

SAUNDERS, Tim. Commandos and Rangers: D Day Operations. 284p., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2012. ISBN: 18441583683.

Special forces played a significant role in the landings.

EISENHOWER FOUNDATION. D-Day: The Normandy Invasion in Retrospect. xiii, 254p., bibliog., illus., index. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1971. ISBN: 0700600736.

A series of essays which includes one by Admiral Rüge on German naval reaction to the invasion and another by an official American historian on various aspects of the Allied naval effort.

BASTABLE, Jonathon. Voices From D-Day. 320p., bibliog., illus., index. Newton Abbott: David & Charles, 2004. ISBN: 0715317903.

Eyewitness accounts from letters and diaries form the backbone of the book. Some marginal naval interest. Reprinted in a new edition in 2011, but without illustrations, as Tales from the Front Line: D-Day (ISBN: 071533915X).   

BURKETT, Molly & STREET, Robert. Once Upon A Wartime X. 96p., illus. Grantham: Barny Books, 2001. ISBN: 1903172144.

A small set of oral recollections. Only one is naval. Douglas Martin joined up in mid-1942 and after radar training was posted to Allynback [sic – presumably Alynbank] in Cardiff in mid-1943. He took part in HUSKY and when she decommissioned he was sent to Serapis and the Russian convoys. She moved south for D-Day. He then transferred to Zest in mid-1945.

BOWEN, Dick & BURKETT, Molly. D-Day: The Battle for Europe (Once Upon a Wartime XIV). 128p., illus. Hough on the Hill: Barny Books, 2004. ISBN:190317242X.

Has some marginal naval relevance in what is essentially a set of oral history reminiscences.

BADSEY, Stephen. Normandy 1944: Allied Landings and Breakout (Osprey Campaign, 1). 96p., bibliog., illus., index. Oxford: Osprey, 1990. ISBN: 9780850459210.

A brief succinct account with good maps and tabular material, but with very limited naval information.

ATKINSON, Rick. The Guns at Last Light: the War in Western Europe, 1944-1945 (The Liberation Trilogy, 3). xi, 877p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Little Brown; New York: Holt, 2013. ISBN: 0316725595.

The last volume in this excellent trilogy covers the land war in north west Europe in 1944-45 with due recognition of the relevant naval components.

The purpose of the text, supported by many illustrations and explanatory material, is to offer the reader a clear overview — not only of who did what where and when, but also how and why they did it.

WARNER, Philip. The D Day Landings. 309p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Kimber, 1980. ISBN: 0718304470.

An edited collection of reminiscences of the assault on Europe. Reprinted in paperback by Pen & Sword in 2019 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the landings, ISBN: 9781526764164.

RICHARDSON, Matthew. Isle of Man Steam Packet in the Second World War. 216p., bibliog., illus, index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2024. ISBN: 9781399051576.

As well as maintaining links to the mainland in the face of U-boats and mines, the company’s ships served from Dunkirk to D-Day.

LANCE, Rachel. Chamber Divers: The Untold Story of the D-Day Scientists Who Changed Special Operations Forever. 484p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Bedford Square Publishers, 2024. ISBN: 9781835010686.

Tells the story of a small group of researchers, experimenting on themselves from inside pressure tanks in the middle of London, who explored the complicated science needed to design the reconnaissance vessels and underwater breathing apparatuses that would underpin the reconnaissance of the landing beaches which preceded D-Day. Also covers the pre-war sinking of the submarine Thetis which demonstrated the issues and the absence of reconnaissance of the Dieppe beaches in 1942.

GRAFF, Garrett M.    D-Day the Oral History: The Turning Point of World War II By the People Who Were There. xxv, 576p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Monoray, 2024. ISBN: 9781800962170.

First published in the USA as When the Sea Came Alive (New York: Avid Reader, 2024. ISBN: 166802781X). An award winning together has compiled this book of memories to mark the eightieth anniversary of D-Day. The book consists of a huge number of one or two paragraph contemporary memories covering the background to and the actual landings organised into some fifty chapters.

JONES, Geraint. D-Day: The Unheard Tapes. vii, 389p., illus. London: Macmillan, 2024. ISBN: 9781035049639.

Based on material used for a television documentary, this includes a wide range of interview materials from the collections of the Imperial War Museum and the National World War II Museum. Some good naval perspectives.

HEWITT, Nick. Normandy: the Sailors' Story. A Naval History of D-Day and the Battle for France. 464p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Yale University Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780300256734.

Unusual in that the principal focus is on the naval involvement in D-Day. An excellent work by a well established historian.

FISHER, Stephen, Sword Beach: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Forgotten Victory. 496p., bibliog., illus., index. London, Bantam, 2024. ISBN: 9781787636712.

A comprehensive review of the often disregarded battle for this easternmost landing ground. Covers everything from the buildup to the aftermath in fascinating detail.

BUCKINGHAM, William F. D-Day: The First 72 Hours. 320p., bibliog., illus., index. Cheltenham: History Press, 2024. ISBN: 9781803996929.

Well researched and readable. Attempts to give a new perspective on the units involved in the landings.

COLLIER, Richard. D-Day June 6, 1944: The Normandy Landings. 224p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Cassell; Abbeville: Collins, 1992. ISBN: 0304341754.

Aims to be a “modern Bayeux Tapestry stitched together from the words and memories of those who took part.” A good coffee-book retelling of well-worn ground. Reprinted in 2002 as D-Day 06.06.1944 (ISBN: 9780297843467).

KENYON, David. Bletchley Park and D-Day: the Untold Story of how the Battle for Normandy Was Won. xxx, 295p., bibliog., illus., index London: Yale U.P., 2019. ISBN: 9780300243574.

A good account of the role of intelligence in developing and implementing the strategy for D-Day.

BLIZARD, Derek. The Normandy Landings: D-Day, the Invasion of Europe 6 June 1944. 160p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Hamlyn, 1993. ISBN: 0600579050.

This book is a largely photographic record of the D-Day landings and their background, as well as being a tribute to the men and women who took part in the campaign. It includes highly personal accounts by Allied veterans, and is published with the co-operation and assistance of the Normandy Veterans Association. A reprinted edition was published by Bounty Books in 2004 (ISBN: 075370904X).

ADDINGTON, Scott. Invasion! D-Day & Operation Overlord in One Hundred Moments. 224p.,illus. London: Uniform, 2019. ISBN: 9781912690008.

Despite a misspelt subtitle on the cover, this is a useful if fashionable little reference work, heavily illustrated with photographs and infographics. A fact rich small work.

STAFFORD, David. Ten Days to D-Day: Countdown to the Liberation of Europe. xv, [2], 366p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Little, Brown, 2003. ISBN: 0316724777.

Looks at the days before the invasion through the eyes of generals, Wrens, resistance fighters and others. Some limited naval relevance.

HAWKINS, Desmond. War Report: A Record of Dispatches Broadcast by the BBC's War Correspondents with the Allied Expeditionary Force 6 June 1944 - 5 May 1945. 452p., illus. London: Oxford University Press, 1946.

The reports were broadcast live from the front by a group of now legendary reporters. Transcripts of some two dozen reports are included with much background information and some relevant naval material. Reprinted in paperback by Ariel Books in 1985 (ISBN: 0563204214). A revised edition was published by BBC Books in 1994 (ISBN: 0563370998) with the new sub-title Radio Reports from the Western Front 1944-45. A revised and expanded edition was then published in 2014 by BBC Books (ISBN: 9781849907767), with an introduction by John Simpson and the new sub-title BBC Dispatches From the Front Line, 1944-45.

MICHIE, Allan A. The Invasion of Europe: The Story behind D-Day. [xx], 204p., illus., index. London: Allen & Unwin, 1965.

A journalist and former war correspondent gives his view of the background and build-up to the D-Day landings.

MACE, Martin & GREHAN, John. Liberating Europe: D-Day to Victory 1944-1945. xiv, 226p., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2014. ISBN: 9781783462155.

Reprints six despatches from the London Gazette with a brief introduction, namely 38045, the Dieppe Raid; 38110, the Assault Phase of the Normandy Landings; 38111, the Liberation of Europe (Operation Overlord), Operations of Coastal Command; 38204, Air Operations by the Allied Expeditionary Air Force in North West Europe 1943-44; 38171, the Final Stages of the Naval War in North West Europe; 37711, Operations in North West Europe from 6 June 1944, to 5 May 1945.

A good, illustrated account of the planning and the landings, to mark the thirtieth anniversary.

KAPLAN, Philip. Hitler’s D-Day Defences. 176p., illus. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2017. ISBN: 9781526705402.

 A rather poor account and description of the German defences in Normandy.

HAPPER, Richard & CHASSEAUD, Peter. D-Day: The Story of D-Day Through Maps. 208p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Times Books, 2014. ISBN: 0007592833.

A sumptuously Illustrated overview of the background to and reality of the invasion, with over ninety maps. A second edition was published by Times Books in 2019, subtitled The Story of the Allied Landings, ISBN: 9780008358266.

HOLT, Tonie, & HOLT, Valmai. The Visitor's Guide to Normandy Landing Beaches Memorials and Museums. 272p., bibliog., illus., index. Ashbourne: Moorland; Edison, N.J.: Hunter, 1994.ISBN: 0861905032.

A fiftieth anniversary volume, which is well-illustrated and usefully describes the terrain. A revised edition was published in 1999, which includes new monuments erected to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the landings.  It was published by Leo Cooper and more simply entitled Normandy Landing Beaches (ISBN: 0850526620). A 75th Anniversary edition was then published by Pen & Sword in 2019 entitled Major & Mrs Holt’s Definitive Battlefield Guide to the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches (ISBN: 9781526757906).

HALL, Anthony. Operation Overlord: D-Day Day by Day. 192p., illus., index. Hoo: Grange, 2003. ISBN: 1840135921.

A heavily illustrated brief reference book. It has subsequently been reprinted in several formats, with the title D-Day Day by Day: the Planning, the Landings, the Battles. This was first reprinted by Chartwell in 2012 (ISBN: 9780785829379) and again in 2018 by Vantage Books, ISBN: 9781913100025.

UNITED STATES. War Department Historical Division. Omaha Beachhead, 6 June-13 June 1944 (American Forces in Action Series). viii, 167, xvi p., illus. Washington: USGPO, 1945.

Instant history at corps level and below. Some naval material. Reprinted and republished on numerous occasions.

UNITED STATES. Department of the Army Historical Division. Utah Beach to Cherbourg, 6 June-27 June 1944 (American Forces in Action Series). xii, 214, [xiv]p., illus. Washington: USGPO, 1947.

 “Prepared in the field” to describe the invasion at corps level and below, as part of a series “especially for the information of wounded men.” Some naval material. Reprinted and republished on numerous occasions.   

HARRISON, Gordon A. Cross-Channel Attack (United States Army in World War II: The European Theater of Operations). xvii, 519p., illus., index. Washington: Department of the Army, 1951.

The official American view of the planning and execution of the assault, up to the fall of Cherbourg on 1 July 1944. The Navy's supporting role is referred to. Reprinted numerous times.                  

FARQUHARSON-ROBERTS, D. A. The Royal Marines and D-Day: Some Personal Reminiscences (Royal Marines Historical Society Special Publication, 15). 72p., illus. Portsmouth: Royal Marine Historical Society, 1994.

Reminiscences of their role in the landings, coloured by time. A second revised edition was published in 2012, ISBN: 9781908123039.

RYAN, Cornelius. The Longest Day: June 6, 1944. 256p., illus. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1959; London: Gollancz, 1960. ISBN: 0575007613.

Concentrates on D-Day itself and on the experiences of numerous individuals, built up to give a composite account of the landings and the reaction to them. Reprinted by the Folio Society in 2019 with a new introduction by Michael Shapiro.  A further edition to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day was also published in 2019 by Andre Deutsch including 120 illustrations and facsimile documents from the author’s papers, ISBN: 0233005854.

CLARKE, Bob. War and Peacey.  [224p]., illus. [n.p., author], 2018. ISBN: 9780992760113.

Aged 15, Chris Peacey joined the RN on the outbreak of war as a boy seaman. His first ship was Prince of Wales, where he served through the Bismarck hunt and on until her sinking in the Far East. He was quickly transferred to Danae and spent some time with her in the Indian Ocean before returning to the UK. He then went to the USA where he joined the newly acquired LST 163, nicknamed Rose Marie by her crew. With her he took part in allied assault landings in North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Normandy and Malaysia. Also describes his post-war career in submarines. A fascinating and very personal tale as told to the author.

WINTER, Paul. D-Day Documents. xvii, 520p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN: 9781408194003.

Published in association with the National Archives, this miscellaneous collection of previously unpublished records contains the 21st Army Group intelligence reports on Omaha Beach, RAF Photographic Reconnaissance prints and the ship's log of Warspite as well as official documents covering different aspects of Operations Neptune and Overlord. It also brings together for the first time the war diary entries of all Anglo-Canadian 'spear-head' units and regiments who landed in France on 6 June 1944.

HOLMES, Richard. D-Day Remembered, 6 June 1944. 75th Anniversary Edition. 224p., illus., index. London: Sevenoaks in partnership with IWM, 2017. ISBN:9781781779477.

Based on a brief 60th anniversary illustrated publication of the Imperial War Museum by the noted historian Richard Holmes, this much expanded book is heavily illustrated and covers events up to the liberation of Paris. A sumptuous production.

HOLLAND, James. Normandy ’44: D-Day and the Battle for France. A New History. lx, 649, [8]p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Bantam, 2019. ISBN: 9781785176234.

A fresh view of the landings. Although the emphasis is on the military, naval matters are given due care and attention.

HARVEY, Dan. A Bloody Dawn: The Irish at D-Day. xix, 191p., bibliog., illus., index. Newbridge, Co. Kildare; Merrion Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781785372414.

Irish men and women and members of the Irish diaspora fought with the British, Canadian and American forces on land sea and air on D-Day. Naval matters are very much at the margin but this usefully opens up an unknown aspect of the landings.

CADDICK-ADAMS, Peter. Sand & Steel: a New History of D-Day. xliii, 1025p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Hutchinson, 2019. ISBN: 9781847948281.

An authoritative new comprehensive history gives a panoramic overview of the planning and execution of D-Day.

A good account with a particularly strong emphasis on the planning.

Contemporary photographs taken by the author, then a Sub-lieutenant in an LCT to illustrate a brief tale of 13 landings made in 10 days before the LCT was a constructive total loss.

A reasonable account which concentrates on the day itself. Reissued in 2007 as D-Day: Dawn of Heroes. ISBN: 1841937509.

One hundred fifty contributors from a dozen countries, including several well-known naval historians make this a useful if not exhaustive reference work. The illustrations are of poor quality.

A bunker-by-bunker account of the defences and their fate.

Compagnon was a staff officer to General Leclerc. This brief account is notable for its modern images of the battlefield.

A heavily illustrated and patriotic account of the invasion to mark its tenth anniversary. Reprinted by Express Newspapers in 1984.

An extremely well-produced photo essay covering preparation, the landings, and the June battles.

An account of how two years of intense, detailed planning reached its successful conclusion when the Allied forces took the beaches of Normandy on D Day.

Only passing mention is made of the naval side of D-Day.

Organised as a gazetteer for the visitor. Lots of snippets of information but little of naval interest.

Another small potted guide to the campaign, with a particular strength in museums, monuments and war memorials.

A detailed guide to the action on the Canadian beaches and to what traces of the action remain today.

A detailed guide to the action on the British 3rd Division beaches and to what traces of the action remain today.

Covers the background, special operations and the action on each beach. Profusely illustrated.

Oral history linked to a television series. Some naval material.

Personal impressions of June 6, by the commander of a landing craft carrying commandos.

Publishes the rediscovered aerial reconnaissance photos taken of the beaches on D-Day.

A profusely illustrated stream of anecdotes organised by each of the drop zones and beach sectors.

A battlefield tour, full of incidental information. First published in Paris in the previous year.

A history of the Normandy campaign as seen through the eyes of participants from privates to generals. Has a fair smattering of naval material.

A good brief well-illustrated reference guide.

A short factual account describing the action and what survives.

Probably the best modern account of the invasion, focusing on the landings but taking the account through to the liberation of Paris.

Views D-Day through Canadian eyes. An accomplished popular account enlivened with tales from all services.

Another of the volumes of short anecdotes collected by the Imperial War Museum which describes the planning and execution of the invasion.

A good brief account of the landings.

A battlefield guide with a good account of the action.

Over extensive use of personal reminiscence and a taste for the lurid make this one of the weaker fiftieth anniversary offerings.

A highly coloured but well-illustrated American account of the landings, with only marginal naval interest.

A quite excellent and gripping account of the invasion, based on some 1400 oral histories. Particularly good on the airborne landings, but with some naval value.

The diary of an RNVR officer which covers the period from June to August 1944. Graham boarded an LST at Gosport on the 1st June, and by the 10th was seeing action at Juno beach..

A useful set of background information which focuses on the air contribution to the landings.

A rerun of well-worn ground.

A good if routine account of the battle.

A detailed guide to the action on the British 50th Division beaches and to what traces of the action remain today.

A war correspondent’s diary for the period April-August 1944, including some time spent on Rodney and Ramillies.

A useful fact filled compendium

A short account of the day and its background.

Another commemorative volume based on reminiscence.

Dozens of anecdotes of the day from all ranks and all services. Notably well-illustrated.

A brief workmanlike paperback account of the landings.

Describes the work of the British Beach Groups which managed the logistics of the beaches from moving stores from ship to shore to creating dumps, recovering vehicles and repatriating casualties and POWs.

A personal reminiscence of the day by a well-known author, then Number One on an MTB. Accompanied by a wall chart for the fortieth anniversary of the landings.

Describes his boyhood in Queensland, his adolescence in England and his time as a Fleet Street journalist and war correspondent. A large section is devoted to D-Day.

The planning and execution of the landing is discussed in the light of the latest research.

Uses the words of the participants to give a good feel for the various elements which made up the invasion.

From letters, diaries, reports, and interviews, those who were there are allowed to explain what happened without embellishment.

A RAF PR man and radio reporter’s view of the landings and the following months. Gives a good if brief account of embarkation and crossing on an LST.

A commemorative handbook with useful essays by major historians on each of the Allied services involved and on each beach and each aspect of the assault. Also includes a section on Britain's Armed Forces today.

Excellent maps and a good concise account of the landings.

A basic general introduction to the planning and implementation of the assault, with only the briefest mention of the naval phase.

Yet more personal anecdotes of the D-Day experience. Of marginal naval interest.

An excellent account which shows strategic as well as tactical failures.

This collection of German and Allied eyewitness accounts presents insights into the failures and successes of both sides and shows why the battle for Normandy was such a long and bitter struggle.

A collection of pictures from US combat photographers. Gives a good impression of the sheer scale of the armada.

A well illustrated account of an important and novel element of the landings.

Very much background reading to the choice of place and date for the invasion.

One chapter is devoted to the naval preparations and they also form an essential backdrop to most of the other chapters.

A personal record of the Invasion of Normandy from June to September 1944, by an officer who landed from an LCT on intelligence- gathering work with 30 Intelligence Assault Unit.

A populist account of the preparations for and reality of D-Day.

A clear and concise account of the campaign.

A general account. Reprinted by Salamander in 1993 and in a new edition in 1999.

A general set of illustrations.

The official fiftieth-anniversary volume of the Battle of Normandy Foundation.