D-Day 1944: Omaha Beach (Praeger Illustrated Military History) - Hardcover

Zaloga, Steven

3.8

46 ratings by Goodreads

9780275982669: D-Day 1944: Omaha Beach (Praeger Illustrated Military History)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0275982661 ISBN 13: 9780275982669

Publisher: Praeger Publishers Inc, 2004

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The D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, were the largest amphibious military operation ever mounted. The greatest armada the world had ever seen was assembled to transport the Allied invasion force across the Channel and open the long-awaited second front against Hitler's Third Reich. Of the landings on the five assault beaches, Omaha Beach was the only one ever in doubt. Within moments of the first wave landing a third of the assault troops were casualties. Yet by the end of D-Day the Atlantic Wall had been breached and the U.S. Army's V Corps was firmly entrenched on French soil. The D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, were the largest amphibious military operation ever mounted. During the late spring and early summer of 1944, the roads and ports of southern England were thronged with the troops, vehicles, and ships of the invasion force. The greatest armada the world had ever seen had been assembled to transport U.S. 1st Army and British 2nd Army across the narrow strip of the Channel and open the long-awaited second front against Hitler's Third Reich. The events of this single day took four years of planning and organization and represented one of the most crucial moments of the entire Second World War. The landings were split into four sectors: two British/Canadian and two U.S. Omaha was the easternmost of the two U.S. beaches, and the plan was that the landing forces should rapidly link up with their fellow Americans to the west on Utah beach and the British further to the east on Gold Beach. Allied intelligence had missed and entire German division amongst the defenders at Omaha and things went badly wrong. The first wave of landings suffered heavy casualties, many of the tanks andengineers with special equipment to help the troops get off the beach were lost. The U.S. troops appeared pinned down on the beach and General Eisenhower even considered withdrawing them. However, in determined attacks the German strong points were overcome one by one. At Pointe du hoc, the U.S. Rangers had to scale vertical cliffs before making their assault. Eventually the German defenses were cracked, allowing the troops to begin to push inland.

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Review:

Books in Osprey's 'Campaign' series stand out at both secondary and college levels as works' that will engage and sustain student interest ... sophisticated maps and comprehensive graphics complement the texts without overwhelming them.

Synopsis:

Of the five assault landings of D-Day, June 6, 1944, Omaha Beach was the only one ever in doubt. This book looks at the commanders, armies, and strategies of both sides of the battle of Omaha Beach. Numerous b&w historical photos, color maps, and a chronology are included. The book is also available as part of a nine-volume set, America in WWII: Eu

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