D-Day June 6 1944

STUART ROBERTSON Stuart Robertson is a history graduate of the University of Leeds (UK) and full time battlefield guide. After working as an archivist with the UK Ministry of Defence he has been a permanent resident of Normandy since 2004. Stuart has shared his extensive knowledge with thousands of visitors to the region including past and present military personnel, security services from across the globe, currently serving and retired politicians, many university groups and a multitude of individuals and organisations who have travelled from all over the world to tour with him. He is most proud of his association with the many Normandy Veterans he has met and become friends with. DALE BOOTH Dale Booth spent five years in the British Army as an Infantryman during which he experienced two active tours. Having a passionate interest in the Second World War and an in-depth knowledge of life as a soldier he moved to Normandy in 2003 and has worked as a battlefield guide ever since. With a broad and in-depth knowledge of the Normandy Battles both authors are now full time battlefield guides offering bespoke tours of the region.

This book provides a unique insight into one of the most important days in World history, the World's greatest ever sea borne invasion - June 6th 1944 - D-Day. Drawing upon four decades of research and two decades of working the battlefields as the region's foremost guides, the authors use a compelling combination of background narrative and first

Foreword 6 Acknowledgements 8 How to use this book 9 Glossary 11 The Run Up to D-Day 12 1 Introduction 14 2 The Build Up 17 3 The Germans in Normandy 21 4 Deception 28 5 Final Decision 32 Part One - The American 1st Army on D-Day 36 6 US First Army Objectives / Plan of Attack 38 7 Ste Mere Eglise 41 8 La Fiere 48 9 DZ A, W/XYZ and Exit Four 54 10 Ste Marie du Mont and Brecourt Manor 59 11 DZ D and Angoville au Plain 66 12 Utah Beach 72 13 From Utah Beach to Ste Mere Eglise 82 14 La Pointe du Hoc 87 15 Omaha Beach 94 16 Omaha Beach - Dog Green / Dog White 100 17 Omaha Beach - Easy Red/Exit E1 107 18 Omaha Beach - Fox Green / WN62 112 19 Omaha Beach - F1 Draw / WN60 117 Part Two - The British 2nd Army on D-Day 122 20 British Second Army Objectives / Plan of Attack 124 21 Pegasus Bridge 128 22 Varaville 136 23 The Merville Battery 141 24 DZ N Ranville to Benouville/Le Port 148 25 The Bridges of the River Dives 155 26 Sword Beach 159 27 Sword Beach Assault 163 28 Advance from Sword Beach to Hillman 169 29 The Push for Caen and 21st Panzer Counterattack 176 30 Juno Beach 182 31 Juno Beach - 7 Brigade Assault 186 32 Juno Beach - 8 Brigade Assault 193 33 Juno Beach - 9 Brigade Advance 203 34 Gold Beach 206 35 Gold Beach - King Sector Assault / Advance Inland 209 36 Gold Beach - Jig Sector Assault / Advance Inland 217 37 Conclusion 225 Appendices 226 Appendix 1 Normandy Museums 228 Appendix 2 Normandy Military Cemeteries 231 Appendix 3 Recommended Reading 235 References 236