D-Day Operations Manual

Jonathan Falconer is the author of more than 35 books on aspects of aviation and military history. He was commissioning editor of the 14-volume ‘Battle Zone Normandy’ series in 2004 for Sutton Publishing. He is now a senior commissioning editor with Haynes. He lives in Wiltshire.

• CONTENTSFOREWORD – Major General Stuart Watson CBEINTRODUCTIOND-Day – The background About this book In their own words1 MEN IN WHITE COATS – The appliance of scienceSurveying the beaches Electronic countermeasuresMaritime electronic navigation systems and radar Fighter Direction Tenders2 BEACH OBSTACLE CLEARANCEFirst ashoreManaging the beachhead3 ON ENEMY SHORES – Landing ships and craftSpoilt for choiceSpecialised support craftAssault craft that won D-DayThe ‘Higgins boats’LCVP in action on D-Day4 CORNCOBS AND WHALES – The Mulberry harboursThe harbours and their localitiesA massive undertakingMulberry harbour componentsBombardonsPhoenixSpud piersConcrete intermediate Pier Head Pontoons (PHP)Buffer pontoons Whales Beetles (PP)Deployment The Great Storm What the Mulberries achieved5 SPECIALISED ARMOUR – Hobart’s Funnies and other odditiesHobart’s FunniesThe versatile Churchill tankSherman tank conversionsArmoured bulldozers6 ASSAULT FROM THE SKIES – Airborne operationsAssault glidersAirspeed HorsaGeneral Aircraft GAL 49 HamilcarWaco CG-4A Glider tugs Radio homing devices – Rebecca and Eureka7 A WARRIOR REBORN – The Assault Glider Trust Horsa8 FIELDS FOR TACTICAL AIR POWER – Building Advanced Landing GroundsAdvanced Landing Grounds in FranceRunway construction and surfacing materialsAirfield construction American-styleAirfield construction British-styleEPILOGUE – The butcher’s billSourcesUseful contactsIndex

Select Guide Rating