U.S. Navy at Normandy

Greg H. Williams served four years in the Navy, including duty on the converted Liberty ship USS Granville S. Hall (YAG–40). He was one of 27 volunteer crewmen who made the entire five month voyage from San Francisco to Europe on the Jeremiah O’Brien in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. He lives near Noti, Oregon.

• Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionAmphibious OperationsFleet OrganizationThe SailorsThe Wave ScheduleAtlantic–Pacific Turning PointsChapter IBritish Offensive StrategyThe First Front­Pre-Invasion Planning BeginsChapter IIFortress Europa and the Second FrontChapter IIIThe Western FrontThe Landing Site and General PlanAmerican Bases and GeographyChurchill’s HarbourChapter IVLanding Craft and EquipmentThe Magic BoxBarrage BalloonsDuplex Drive TanksChapter VDieppe, the First TestChapter VITugs and Barges to EnglandAmmunitionChapter VIIWhat Will Jerry Do?The First AttackSubmarines, Mines and ObstaclesChapter VIIIInvasion Support ServicesNews CoverageChapter IXAllied Expedition CommandAllied Naval CommandWestern Task Force CommandMotor LaunchesChapter XCountdown Highlights from May 1Destroyer NelsonDestroyer EndicottThe Portland Air RaidThe Date Is Set“Y” DayAdmiral Ramsay’s Special OrderSecurityThe Diversion OperationThe Postponement“OK, we’ll go.”Chapter XIThe Early MinesweepersThe UM ConvoysThe Demolition UnitsChapter XIIThe Main Assault and ­Follow-up ConvoysFreight, Oil and Water ConvoysAmerican Assault Forces in the Eastern SectorChapter XIIITuesday, June 6“The Big Show”Reports from the BeachesChapter XIVAfter ­D-Day: June 7–24Chapter XVThe Capture of CherbourgEpilogueOne Family’s StoryGlossaryAppendix IAppendix IIBibliographyIndex

“[Williams] describes in fascinating detail the Allied Command structure for Operation Neptune and presents in easy to digest [form] the integrated offshore operations, how they were organized, who the sailors were, and what they experienced as they, too, joined in the battles.”—ARGunners Magazine