Normandy '44 : D-Day and the battle for France : a new history

'A superb account of the invasion that deserves immense praise. To convey the human drama of Normandy requires great knowledge and sensitivity. Holland has both in spades' - THE TIMES ‘A devastating new account..Holland knows his stuff when it comes to military matters. The reader is in safe hands navigating each aspect of this complex campaign’ - DAILY MAIL Book of the Week Renowned World War Two historian James Holland presents an entirely new perspective on one of the most important moments in recent history, unflinchingly examining the brutality and violence that characterised the campaign. D-Day and the 76 days of bitter fighting in Normandy that followed have come to be seen as a defining episode in the Second World War. Its story has been endlessly retold, and yet it remains a narrative burdened by both myth and assumed knowledge. In this reexamined history, James Holland presents a broader overview, one that challenges much of what we think we know about D-Day and the Normandy campaign. The sheer size and scale of the Allies’ war machine ultimately dominates the strategic, operational and tactical limitations of the German forces. This was a brutal campaign. In terms of daily casualties, the numbers were worse than for any one battle during the First World War. 'history Book Of The Year' The Perfect Gift For Christmas: Mission Accomplished. 'a Superb Account Of The Invasion That Deserves Immense Praise. To Convey The Human Drama Of Normandy Requires Great Knowledge And Sensitivity. Holland Has Both In Spades' The Times Renowned World War Two Historian James Holland Presents An Entirely New Perspective On One Of The Most Important Moments In Recent History, Unflinchingly Examining The Brutality And Violence That Characterised The Campaign. ______________ D-day And The 76 Days Of Bitter Fighting In Normandy That Followed Have Come To Be Seen As A Defining Episode In The Second World War. Its Story Has Been Endlessly Retold, And Yet It Remains A Narrative Burdened By Both Myth And Assumed Knowledge. In This Reexamined History, James Holland Presents A Broader Overview, One That Challenges Much Of What We Think We Know About D-day And The Normandy Campaign. The Sheer Size And Scale Of The Allies’ War Machine Ultimately Dominates The Strategic, Operational And Tactical Limitations Of The German Forces. This Was A Brutal Campaign. In Terms Of Daily Casualties, The Numbers Were Worse Than For Any One Battle During The First World War. ‘a Devastating New Account..holland Knows His Stuff When It Comes To Military Matters. The Reader Is In Safe Hands Navigating Each Aspect Of This Complex Campaign’ Daily Mail, Book Of The Week _________________ ·drawing On Unseen Archives And Testimonies From Around The World ·introducing A Cast Of Eye-witnesses That Includes Foot Soldiers, Tank Men, Fighter Pilots And Bomber Crews, Sailors, Civilians, Resistance Fighters And Those Directing The Action ·an Epic Telling That Will Profoundly Recalibrate Our Understanding Of Its True Place In The Tide Of Human History 'A devastating new account..Holland knows his stuff when it comes to military matters' Daily Mail, Book of the Week 'A superb account of the invasion that deserves immense praise. To convey the human drama of Normandy requires great knowledge and sensitivity. Holland has both in spades' The Times ________________ Renowned World War Two historian James Holland presents an entirely new perspective on one of the most important moments in recent history, unflinchingly examining the brutality and violence that characterised the campaign. D-Day and the 76 days of bitter fighting in Normandy that followed have come to be seen as a defining episode in the Second World War. Its story has been endlessly retold, and yet it remains a narrative burdened by both myth and assumed knowledge. In this reexamined history, James Holland presents a broader overview, one that challenges much of what we think we know about D-Day and the Normandy campaign. The sheer size and scale of the Allies' war machine ultimately dominates the strategic, operational and tactical limitations of the German forces. Drawing on unseen archives and testimonies from around the world and introducing a cast of eye-witnesses including foot soldiers, tank men, fighter pilots and more, James Holland's epic telling profoundly recalibrates our understanding of its true place in the tide of human history. The new, sweeping World War II book from James Holland, THE SAVAGE STORM, is available now. List of Maps Maps Principal Personalities Gallery of Portraits Foreword Prologue Part I: The Battle Before D-Day 1 The Atlantic Wall 2 Command of the Skies 3 Understanding Montgomery and the Master Plan 4 Countdown 5 The Winds of War 6 Big War 7 Air Power Part II: Invasion 8 D-Day Minus One 9 D-Day: The First Hours 10 D-Day: Dawn 11 D-Day: The American Landings 12 D-Day: The British and Canadian Landings 13 D-Day: The Turning of the Battle 14 D-Day: Foothold Part III: Attrition 15 Bridgehead 16 Fighter-Bomber Racecourse 17 Linking Up 18 The Constraints of Wealth and the Freedom of Poverty 19 Behind the Lines 20 The Grinding Battle 21 The Great Storm 22 EPSOM 23 Cherbourg and the Scottish Corridor 24 Trouble at the Top 25 Bloody Bocage 26 Living Like Foxes Part IV: Breakout 27 A Brief Discourse On Weapons And the Operational Level of War 28 Crisis of Command 29 GOODWOOD 30 Saint-Lô 31 COBRA 32 BLUECOAT 33 LÜTTICH 34 Tank Battle At Saint-Aignan 35 The Corridor of Death Postscript An entirely new perspective on one of the most important moments in recent history from renowned World War Two historian James Holland. The well-trod narrative follows the view that the Allies, led by the USA, had the material advantage, but the Germans were superior in terms of training, tactical ability and weaponry. To James Holland, this view of the Germans is nonsense. In his new book on D-Day, he will be using the opportunity to halt this ongoing mythologising in its tracks