Download or read book The Silencing of the Merville Battery written by Neil Barber and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This comprehensive pocket guide is designed for anyone visiting the Merville Battery but is equally useful for anyone wanting an accurate understanding of exactly what went on and where. Neil Barber uses photographs and first-hand accounts to simply explain what happened in those first few vital hours of D-Day.
Download or read book Merville Battery the Dives Bridges written by Carl Shilleto and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2011-04-30 with total page 342 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This battlefield guide is the companion work to Pegasus Bridge & Horsa Bridge. Together, these two books form the fully revised and updated edition of the previous best selling Battleground Europe Series book Pegasus Bridge & Merville Battery.This book examines, in great detail, the attack by 9 Para Bn of the British 6th Airborne Division on the German gun emplacement known as the Merville Battery on D-Day, 6 June 1944. The actions of 8 Para, 12 Para, Canadian 1 Para, attached engineer and support units, and commando raids in this area of Normandy are also told. In particular, the importance of destroying the five bridges, and a drainage culvert, in the Dives valley are explained along with the importance of taking and holding the high ground to the north-east of Caen. These combined actions resulted in the protection and securing of the left flank of the greatest combined military operation in history; Operation OVERLORD.In addition to explaining how these objectives were achieved, this battlefield guide relates the battles to the area as it is today. The book contains details of the museums, memorials, cemeteries and associated organizations. All of which will unravel the history of the area to the visitor and armchair traveler alike.To further aid the battlefield tourist, GPS data is also provided for either satellite navigation by vehicle or for viewing on Google Earth.
Download or read book The Red Devils written by G.G. Norton and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 1984-09-24 with total page 307 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From Bruneval to North Africa, from Normandy to Suez, by parachute and glider the men of the Airborne Forces have gone by air to battle. But their activities have by no means been confined to purely airborne operations- the Special Air Service performed prodigies of valor behind the German Lines in the Western Desert and Italy; the Glider Pilot Regiment fought beside their infantry comrades in Normandy, at Arnhem and across the Rhine. Their post-war successors, maintaining these traditions, have stood between Jew and Arab in Palistine; fought and sweltered in the jungles of Malaya and Borneo; sweated in the Persian Gulf and the Radfan; chocked on the summer dust of Cypriot roads; tasted the grit and sand of Egypt and Jordan in their mess mess tins; spent more then a decade facing terrorist ambush, bombs and bullets in Northern Ireland; experienced subzero temperatures and biting arctic winds in the South Atlantic and 'tabbed' across the Falklands to spearhead victory in 1982. Now should the aircrews who flew them be forgotten, or the air supply dispatches who maintained them, or the units who supported them. With well over 100 photographs and illustrations this book is a comprehensive single-volume history of the Airborne Forces. Accounts are given of the airborne actions fought by the British Army, whilst the development of the parachute assault and the use of the glider-borne troops can be followed from their infancy to the massive coup de main technique employed in the Rhine crossing.
Download or read book Climbing the Army Ladder written by Brig John Gray and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2010-06-23 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book by retired Army Officer Brig John Gray is an intimate and vivid portrait of a fascinating life spent serving around the world during thirty-three years in the British Army. It is an absorbing account of a career from humble beginnings at the end of the Second World War, through colourful and at times unique experiences, as he progressed up the army ladder. Along the way, we encounter many personalities, some hugely amusing and some less so. The chapters give a light-hearted account of his unique experiences and are full of interesting facts and personalities with humorous incidents and anecdotes. It depicts a marvellously varied life, mostly serving alongside soldiers of other nations, often as a key figure in events that were vitally important at the time. He was responsible for the formation and review of defence forces around the world, often living in the countries concerned dealing with the complexities of foreign customs and politics. John also tells the story of being on active service in the jungles of Malaya, and also in Borneo and in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles. This is a must-read book for anyone who was in the British Army during the immediate post-war years at the height of the cold war and the aftermath of Britain granting independence to many of its former colonies and protectorates. It will also appeal to anyone who wishes to know more about army life in those far-off days.
Download or read book The Encyclopedia of Codenames of World War II Routledge Revivals written by Christopher Chant and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-10-18 with total page 539 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Codenames were a vital feature of World War II, serving as mental shorthand for those in the know, and obscuring the issues for those who were not. Codenames were used from the highest level, in the planning of grand strategic moves affecting the conduct of the whole war, to the lowest command divisions, in the conduct of small-scale tactical operations. This encyclopedia, first published in 1986, removes the mystery surrounding many of the important code names from the era. With around 3,000 entries drawn from all sides – the U.K., U.S.A., Germany, the U.S.S.R. and Japan – Christopher Chant’s work provides a uniquely comprehensive and full overview of major operations, names and code words. Thorough and exciting, this key reference reissue is an exceptionally valuable resource for military historians, enthusiasts and general readers with an interest in World War II.
Download or read book The First Wave written by Alex Kershaw and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2020-05-05 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of Against All Odds, returns with an utterly immersive, adrenaline-driven account of D-Day combat. “Meet the assaulters: pathfinders plunging from the black, coxswains plowing the whitecaps, bareknuckle Rangers scaling sheer rock . . . Fast-paced and up close, this is history’s greatest story reinvigorated as only Alex Kershaw can.”—Adam Makos, New York Times bestselling author of Spearhead and A Higher Call Beginning in the predawn darkness of June 6, 1944, The First Wave follows the remarkable men who carried out D-Day’s most perilous missions. The charismatic, unforgettable cast includes the first American paratrooper to touch down on Normandy soil; the glider pilot who braved antiaircraft fire to crash-land mere yards from the vital Pegasus Bridge; the brothers who led their troops onto Juno Beach under withering fire; as well as a French commando, returning to his native land, who fought to destroy German strongholds on Sword Beach and beyond. Readers will experience the sheer grit of the Rangers who scaled Pointe du Hoc and the astonishing courage of the airborne soldiers who captured the Merville Gun Battery in the face of devastating enemy counterattacks. The first to fight when the stakes were highest and the odds longest, these men would determine the fate of the invasion of Hitler’s fortress Europe—and the very history of the twentieth century. The result is an epic of close combat and extraordinary heroism. It is the capstone Alex Kershaw’s remarkable career, built on his close friendships with D-Day survivors and his intimate understanding of the Normandy battlefield. For the seventy-fifth anniversary, here is a fresh take on World War II's longest day. Praise for The First Wave: “Masterful... readers will feel the sting of the cold surf, smell the acrid cordite that hung in the air, and duck the zing of machine-gun bullets whizzing overhead. The First Wave is an absolute triumph.”—James M. Scott, bestselling author of Target Tokyo “These pages ooze with the unforgettable human drama of history's most consequential invasion.”—John C. McManus, author of The Dead and Those About to Die
Download or read book The Day the Devils Dropped In written by Neil Barber and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2008-10-17 with total page 659 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This WWII history presents a vivid chronicle of the British Army’s 9th Parachute Battalion and their operations in Normandy based on survivor interviews. The first hours and days following the Allied invasion of Normandy were perhaps the most crucial moment of the Second World War. The Day The Devils Dropped In examines the pivotal role played by the 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in the first week of the landings. These brave British soldiers were tasked with neutralizing the mighty Merville Battery, and capturing Le Plein and the Chateau St. Côme on the Breville Ridge. Failure by to achieve any of these objectives could have meant disaster for Operation Overlord—and catastrophe for the Allied war effort. In his quest to uncover what transpired in the early days of the landings, historian Neil Barber tracked down and interviewed surviving participants in the operation. In The Day the Devils Dropped In, he presents the full story, largely in the very words of those who lived through the experience. Enhanced by wartime photographs throughout, this revealing chronicle is a fine tribute to those whose contribution must never be forgotten.
Download or read book D Day written by and published by Fox Chapel Publishing. This book was released on 2024-04-23 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On June 6, 1944, the largest military operation in history got underway in northern France as more than 150,000 Allied troops began the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe. D-Day: The Story of the Greatest Military Operation in History provides bone-chilling detailed information on how Allied Forces got to D-Day through months of meticulous planning for Operation Overlord, the fierce fighting, and the Allied leaders of WWII who conceived, shaped, and executed the plan. Learn why Normandy was chosen for the amphibious attack, how the Allied leaders deceived Hitler's army, and the military operations that followed. Incredible in-the-field photos bring the fight to life. Gain insight into the types of planes, ships, and tanks that were used and learn where you can honor the military men who sacrificed their lives on that day.
Download or read book A Fierce Quality written by Julian James and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 1989-07-01 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alastair Pearson is one of the very small band of men to have achieved the distinction of winning the DSO and three bars. Add to this fact that he also won the Military Cross and is further entitled to the post-nominal letters CB, OBE, TD and HML and it will be readily understood that this is a book about a very remarkable man. Includes 12 black and white plates.
Download or read book Commandos and Rangers written by Major Tim Saunders and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2012-07-25 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the dark days of 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill showed his belief in ultimate victory by ordering the raising of the elite Commandos to break the intolerable shackles of defeat. Having proved their worth in numerous raids and operations in the Mediterranean they and their American counterparts, the Rangers, were automatic choices for the most demanding and vital missions of the D-Day Landings in June 1944. These included the capture of key ports, enemy coastal defenses and the securing of vulnerable open flanks. rnrnThe tasks allotted to the Rangers included the seizure of Pointe du Hoc while No 4 Commando took the port of Ouisterham and 47 Royal Marine Commando that of Port-en-Bessin. These daring actions and many others are vividly described in this superb book written by a highly experienced battlefield tour expert and the author of many acclaimed guide books. Indeed each chapter concludes with invaluable tour notes for those who wish to visit these historic sites. It was only thanks to thorough planning, specialist training, inspiring leadership and, above all, the courage of the men involved that these missions were successfully achieved but at great cost.
Download or read book D Day Gunners written by Frank Baldwin and published by Pen and Sword Military. This book was released on 2022-07-20 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Part history book and part travel guide, D-Day Gunners is aimed at anyone interested in the artillery on the D-Day beaches and landing grounds. While the heritage of the D-Day beaches and landing sites is well documented, this rarely includes the artillery story. The author of this book aims to correct this by providing a visitors' guide to the artillery stories associated with the battlefield heritage that remains on the D-Day beaches, mapping the fire-plan for D-Day against the known German locations, and looking at what happened at these places. There is relatively little explanation about the role of the artillery in general or the deeds of artillerymen, in particular those of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. This book tells of the significance of artillery on D-Day and the part it played in the outcome. Initial reports published stressed that the coastal defences were effectively neutralized by the bombing and that no significant counter attacks developed on D-Day. However, post-war accounts increasingly attributed allied success to allied fire power. The book tells the story of the men who served the guns on the D-Day beaches, and the effects they had on the outcome of the battles on D-Day and afterwards. This volume is primarily about British Gunners and certain German Kannoniers. The book has been written as a guide to the battlefields on the D-Day beaches and landing grounds, telling the gunners’ stories that are not always commemorated on memorials, interpretation boards, or recorded in more general guides. These poignant stories include war poets and heroes decorated for bravery, or just the tales of some of the men buried in the war cemeteries or commemorated on the memorials. It also provides a guide in lay terms of the technical impact of field anti-tank and AA artillery on the war. A second volume will tell the story of artillerymen on the American beaches and landing grounds.
Download or read book Boys of the Clouds written by Gary C. Boegel and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2007-09 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Boys of the Clouds tells the fascinating stories, in their own words, of over seventy veterans of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War. The Battalion, part of the British 6th Airborne Division, was among the very first Allied soldiers to land on French soil on June 6, 1944. Despite a widely scattered drop, they managed to take and hold all their objectives on D-Day, and continued to hold off German counter attacks through that fateful summer. After suffering heavy losses in Normandy, the unit returned to England in September 1944 to refit and train for the next airborne operation. This training was interrupted when they were hastily sent to defend against the German offensive in the Ardennes, commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. They were the only Canadian unit to take part in this action. After the threat had passed, and the German offensive halted, they once again returned to England to prepare for the next drop. This finally came on March 24, 1945 when the Allies were able to cross the Rhine in a massive combined airborne and river crossing operation, the largest the world has ever seen. Success came quickly on the drop zone and within three days, they embarked on a hectic journey that would take them from the Rhine River all the way to Wismar on the Baltic Sea by May 2nd, where they linked up with Russian forces. This historic meeting signified the end of the war in Europe. The Battalion then had the honour of being the first Canadian unit to return to Canada as a complete group. They landed in Halifax to a tumultuous welcome and were awarded the key to the city. Follow their arduous and often hilarious journey and discover why they joined up, what the parachute training was like, especially their first jump, what it was like jumping into action for the first time in Normandy, the conditions in the Ardennes, crossing the Rhine and the fateful trek to Wismar to end the war. It's all here, in their own words.
Download or read book Invasion 44 written by John Frayn Turner and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2014-04-30 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the pre-dawn darkness of 6 June 1944, the greatest armada the world has ever seen began to disembark an Allied invasion force on the beaches of France's Normandy peninsula. Invasion '44 tells the story of that assault from the day over four years earlier, and only a few short weeks after the British disaster at Dunkirk, when a few individuals in the High Command began to turn their thoughts to the possibilities of an eventual return to the mainland, and the story continues up to the time when the Allied beach-head was firmly established on French soil. As the battle progresses, the reader is allowed to view each successive wave as it lands, follow the developing battle line inland, and keep an eye on the vital battles also developing on and beneath the seas off the Normandy peninsula and in the skies above it.
Download or read book June 6 1944 written by Gerald Astor and published by Dell. This book was released on 2002-04-30 with total page 482 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In ships and planes, they crossed the English Channel. On the other side Hitler’s army waited. And the longest day was about to begin.... In the spring of 1944, 120,000 Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel in the most ambitious invasion force ever assembled. Rangers, paratroopers, infantry, and armored personnel, these soldiers--some who had just cut their teeth in Africa and Sicily and some who were brand-new to war--joined a force aimed at the heart of Europe and Hitler’s defenses. On the morning of June 6, D-Day began. And in the hours that followed, thousands lost their lives, while those who survived would be changed forever No other chronicle of D-Day can match Gerald Astor's extraordinary work--a vivid first-person account told with stunning immediacy by the men who were there. From soldiers who waded through the bullet-riddled water to those who dropped behind enemy lines, from moments of terror and confusion to acts of incredible camaraderie and heroism, June 6, 1944 plunges us into history in the making--and the most pivotal battle ever waged.
Download or read book Echoes from Arnhem written by Lewis Golden and published by . This book was released on 1984 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book With the 6th Airborne Division in Normandy written by Richard Nelson Gale and published by . This book was released on 1948 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beretter om den engelske 6. Luftbårne Division's indsættelse i Normandiet og efterfølgende kampe under 2. verdenskrig.
