Divided on D-Day: How Leadership Failures Threatened the Normandy Invasion

This book examines the Normandy invasion of World War II, highlighting the conflicting egos, national rivalries, and professional abilities of the principal D-Day commanders. It shows how lack of cooperation and bad decisions lengthened the war, increased casualties, and allowed the later Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. The evidence presented makes it clear that these problems could have been avoided if the Allied commanders had been less contentious.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 462 pages
Publication date: 26 July 2023
Publisher: Prometheus Books

In preparation for the 75th commemoration of D-Day, this insightful examination of the Normandy invasion sheds light on the pivotal moment that marked the end of World War II. The book delves into the contrasting egos, national rivalries, and professional skills of the key D-Day commanders who planned and executed the OVERLORD Operation and its subsequent aftermath. Through their comprehensive analysis of past literature on D-Day, primary and archival sources, the authors offer valuable insights into the numerous controversies that have long surrounded the OVERLORD campaign. Among the questions addressed are: What led to the two-month delay in the Allied breakout from the Normandy beachhead? Why did the majority of the German army manage to escape from the Falaise Pocket? Who halted Patton's August 1944 advance into Germany? Why did it take so long to reopen the Port of Antwerp, which was crucial for securing the necessary supplies for the Allied advance into Germany?

The evidence presented in this book makes it evident that the issues raised by these questions and many others could have been avoided if the Allied commanders had been more cooperative, a factor that sometimes resulted in catastrophic battlefield outcomes. The book is complemented by maps that depict the campaign's progression and photographs of the commanders and the challenging battlefield terrain. This new perspective on the war in Europe makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the decision-making processes that shaped the course of the conflict.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 223 x 155 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633889071