D-Day: The Air and Sea Invasion of Normandy in Photos

On June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne invasion in history took place, with nearly 7,000 vessels bombarding the Normandy coast and 150,000 troops landing on Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches. 12,000 aircraft flew above the sea, dropping thousands of paratroopers and vehicles, bombing roads and German positions, providing vital intelligence, and attacking any German planes that took to the skies. Veronico's book assembles photos of both the air and sea components of the D-Day invasion, giving sailors and airmen their due and giving modern readers a vivid sense of what this monumental day was like in the air and at sea.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2019
Publisher: Stackpole Books

The Allied armada that descended upon the English Channel on June 6, 1944, was a sight to behold, comprising nearly 7,000 vessels of all sizes. From battleships, cruisers, and destroyers to landing ships and landing craft, these ships bombarded the Normandy coast, transported men, tanks, and equipment across the channel, and landed 150,000 troops on Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches in a single day. In terms of numbers and scale, this seaborne invasion was the largest in history.

However, the remarkable aspects of D-Day, both in the air and at sea, have been somewhat overshadowed by the focus on the beach battles. To rectify this, Veronico has assembled a stunning collection of photos that showcase the air and sea components of the invasion, giving the sailors and airmen their rightful place in history and providing modern readers with a vivid sense of what this monumental day was like in the air and at sea.

The air component of D-Day was a breathtaking display of military might. Thousands of aircraft, ranging from fighters and bombers to transports and recon craft, took off from airfields in England and descended upon the Normandy coast. These planes dropped thousands of paratroopers and vehicles, bombed roads and German positions miles inland, provided vital intelligence, and attacked any German planes that managed to take to the skies.

The sheer number of aircraft involved in the operation was staggering, with some 12,000 aircraft flying above the sea. The variety of aircraft types was equally impressive, with fighters, bombers, transports, and gliders all playing crucial roles in the invasion. The air support provided by these planes was instrumental in ensuring the success of the landings, and their bravery and skill in the face of German opposition are truly remarkable.

Despite the immense scale of the air component of D-Day, it has received relatively little coverage in historical accounts. This is unfortunate, as the air support provided by these planes was a critical factor in the success of the invasion. The bravery and skill of the airmen who flew these missions deserve to be recognized and remembered, and Veronico's collection of photos provides a powerful testament to their contributions.

In addition to the air component, the sea component of D-Day was also a vital part of the operation. The Allied ships that filled the English Channel provided a crucial transportation and supply line for the troops landing on the beaches. These ships were subjected to heavy German fire, but their determination and resilience were remarkable.

The landing ships and landing craft played a particularly important role in the invasion, as they transported the troops and their equipment from the ships to the beaches. These ships were small and agile, and their crews were skilled in navigating the treacherous waters of the English Channel. They faced constant danger from German fire, but their bravery and skill in the face of adversity were truly inspiring.

The sea component of D-Day was also a visual spectacle, with the Allied ships lining up in formation and preparing to land. The sight of these massive vessels descending upon the beaches was awe-inspiring, and the bravery and skill of the crews who sailed them deserve to be recognized and remembered.

In conclusion, the Allied armada that descended upon the English Channel on June 6, 1944, was a sight to behold, comprising nearly 7,000 vessels of all sizes. From battleships, cruisers, and destroyers to landing ships and landing craft, these ships bombarded the Normandy coast, transported men, tanks, and equipment across the channel, and landed 150,000 troops on Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches in a single day. The air component of D-Day was a breathtaking display of military might, with thousands of aircraft flying above the sea and dropping thousands of paratroopers and vehicles, bombing roads and German positions miles inland, providing vital intelligence, and attacking any German planes that managed to take to the skies. The sea component of D-Day was also vital, with the Allied ships providing a crucial transportation and supply line for the troops landing on the beaches. The bravery and skill of the airmen and crews who sailed these ships deserve to be recognized and remembered, and Veronico's collection of photos provides a powerful testament to their contributions.

Weight: 806g
Dimension: 185 x 260 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811738095