Spearheading D-day
by Jonathan Gawne
ISBN 2-90818-2793 $37.95 in the USA
Read thereviews and comments from historians, veterans, the press, and average readers
|
Spearheading D-dayby Jonathan GawneISBN 2-90818-2793 $37.95 in the USA |
| Read thereviews and comments from historians, veterans, the press, and average readers |
Check out some additions, corrections and random facts discovered after publication |
Why does the world need yet another book on D-Day? A good question. Consider the following contents and see if any other volume includes this information:
The Assault Training Center- development of the doctrine at Woolacombe Beach that determined how the Normandy invasion would take place.
The Navy Units- landing craft variations, crewmen, naval support fire, and the US Navy Air Spotting squadron flying borrowed British Spitfires.
The Demolition units- Special Engineer Task Force, Naval Combat Demolition Units, and Beach Obstacle Demolition Party (why there were no CB's on the beach that moring) .
The Assault Units- Assault Boat Teams, Support Boat Teams, and extensive research into what the troops actually wore and carried in the invasion.
The Navy Beach Battalions- Almost unknown before Gawne first called attention to their important role on the shore.
Regimental Combat Team attachments- DD tanks, AAA units, Engineer Bn's, floating artillery, medical units, and more.
Engineer Special Brigades- The main logistical force of the invasion, JASCO's, Shore Fire Artillery Parties, and Dukw companies. Where else can you find a list of what SFCP's were assigned to what ground units, and what Navy ship they were assigned to?
Other aspects of the book include the 320th Barrage Balloon Bn (the first black unit to go ashore), Commanch Code Talkers, Navy CB Rhino and warping tugs, the Mulberry harbor and the minor harbors. And for the very first time in any non-classified publication the true story of why the 4th Division landed far to the south of the correct beach. Other books may claim the answer, but this one has confirming evidence from both Naval officers responsible for bringing the first wave ashore.
Ever since he was taken to the Normandy Beaches in 1969, Jonathan Gawne has
been studying the invasion. He is one of only a handful of historians who dig
deep into the original records and interview veterans to deal with not the
great strategic moves of the war, but the small nuts and bolts of how things
worked on the squad and platoon level. Following his extensive list of
publications in Militaria Magazine and
G.I. Journal, he is considered
by many to be one of the leading authorities on the development of U.S. Army
uniforms and equipment. See (or order from) a list of
Jonathan
Gawne's currently available books
Extensively illustrated with many little known photographs, as well as color reconstructions of the major uniforms by the troops (in the best Militaria Magazine style). See similar books from H+C Publications (who do some of the most interesting military books around). Available from Combined Books in the USA.
GOING OUT OF PRINT!
Jan 2009 - At this point it looks like SDD will be going out of print. There are no more copies left in the warehouse, and only a handful in the distribution systems. We're investigating ways of keeping it in print, to include a nmew and updated edition, but right now we have no firm info.
Curious about Gawne's next project?