Dawn of D-Day: These Men Were There, 6 June 1944 (Greenhill Military Paperbacks) [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

David Howarth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2006 | Series: Greenhill Military Paperbacks

In Dawn of D-Day David Howarth weaves together the testimony of hundreds of eyewitnesses and has produced a breathtaking and atmospheric account of the greatest amphibious landing ever attempted. Based on interviews with survivors and accounts by participants, including American paratroopers, British engineers, French civilians and German soldiers, this enthralling story brings all the drama of June 6th, 1944 to life. David Howarth looks not only at the famous incidents but at the full range of D-Day experiences, relating the running battles between parachutists and Germans in the Norman countryside, the torment of being under fire for the first time, the agony on the invasion beaches, the shock of the German defenders and all the confusion, elation and horror of battle. Dawn of D-Day is superb history from the mouths of the men who fought on that first day of the battle for Normandy.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The exciting story of the greatest sea-borne invasion in history. Eyewitness accounts of D-Day as seen through the eyes of the participants including accounts by British, American, French and German eyewitnesses. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

David Howarth was a war correspondent for the BBC in World War II. He is author of We Die Alone (1558219730).

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Greenhill Books; First edition (February 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853676047
• ISBN-13: 978-1853676048
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,114,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slaughter and mayhem in WWII....The D-Day account., November 7, 2004

By 

Takis Tz. (InYourHead) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dawn Of D-Day (Greenhill Military Paperback) (Paperback)

The clear advantage Howarth's book has over the many written of the famous D-Day on the 6th of June 1944 is that he tells the story through the testimonies of those that survived, but from both sides. Yes, there are way more accounts included from the allied soldiers compared to their German opponents, but the German account-element is there as well and it's what gives you a more spherical view on how those who were there experienced that monumental day.

For students of military history not well or not all acquainted with the Normandy story, there's much to be discovered through this book. First of all the collosal size of the operation, unparallel until that day and since. Thousands of ships as well as planes carried tremendous numbers of infantry and marines, as well as tanks to the shores of Normandy in an attempt to critically shift the balance in the war towards the Allies. Alone the logistic considerations were beyond imagination and a failure in that sector would've resulted in unbelievable disaster. There were, to a degree such failures but not to a level which would have devestated the attackers.

Then the tactical planning itself, an issue all on its own, an issue on which Howarth does an exceptional job informing the reader but without tiring him in the manner other military historians often do by overwhelming him with numbers and codes. This is not the approach he takes as he aims more to inform those not so much interested in the microdetails of the operation.

Even more interesting, and possibly the least known aspect of that operation, was the undertaking of misinforming and confusing the Germans about where and when the attack would take place. A formidable task when one considers how difficult it was to keep a massive assault of that type disguised from enemy intelligence and, more importantly, to even throw them off trail.

As the book reaches the attack itself everything comes alive in its pure horror dimensions. Unexpected failures that resulted in unexpected situations and countless victims. The despair of the German defenders as they discover the apparently hopeless situation they are in with zero airforce support and being pummeled initially by the naval artillery as well as bombed heavily by both American and British planes only to see 1000s of soldiers following to the shores. Still, what commenced was a merciless battle that resulted in piles of bodies in the water, in the sand dunes, in the trences, everywhere.

A book worthy of the event it describes, well written, impeccably researched and accessible to the layman but equally interesting to the specialised reader as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Human Face of D-Day, July 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Dawn Of D-Day (Greenhill Military Paperback) (Paperback)

In this book, written in 1959 when memories were still fresh, David Howarth presents the human face of D-Day through the experiences of its participants. Each sector of the operation - airborne and seaborne - is covered and given its full due. Mr Howarth has no bones to pick or axes to grind. Instead, through the stories of a small number of individuals he shows us how 'ordinary' people can, in extreme circumstances, often behave in extra-ordinary ways. He shows respect for all those involved. All of this is presented in a most clear and readable style. Despite its age this is an inspiring book and a must for any student of Operation Overlord.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reader Review, June 2, 2010

By 

Thomas W. Keeley (Derby, England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dawn of D-Day: These Men Were There, 6 June 1944 (Greenhill Military Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Having read a number of books about D-Day, I found this one to be a very good summary. I like the writer's style and his format is easy to read and follow. Based on my other books on D-Day he has done his research very well and through