Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units, 6 June, 1944 [Hardcover]

Jonathan Gawne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

Fresh research has produced a detailed text and color photographs that cover every aspect of the organization, training and active operations of the special units of D-Day.

The invasion of Normandy is undoubtedly one of the most written about military events of the 20th Century. However, many of the smaller units that played important roles have been forgotten or ignored. Many unconfirmed, or erroneous myths about the American landings have been repeated in popular books. Noted military historian, Jonathan Gawne examines the landings at Utah and Omaha with an eye to what other writers have ignored.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Histoire and Collections (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2908182793
• ISBN-13: 978-2908182798
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,353,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best D-Day books ever, January 27, 2000

By 

Mark Bando (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units, 6 June, 1944 (Hardcover)

Ever wonder what the difference is between an LCI, LCM, LCVP, or LST? All these mysteries and a host of others are clearly explained with charts, maps color graphics, etc. Equipment and D-Day organization of all amphibious elements including Naval Beach battalions, Amphibious Engineers, Rangers and Infantry are depicted along with their equipment and objectives. Suffice it to say I learned more in one hour of perusing this book than in four decades of reading other books on D-Day. Although the author chose not to write about the Airborne landings, I even found obscure details pertaining to the 101st (thrown in as incidentals by the author) which I didn't know about-and Airborne is my specialty. Don't miss this valuable book-it's every bit as important as The Longest Day. From Mark Bando, author of The 101st Airborne at Normandy and Breakout At Normandy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate "D-Day" Book, March 14, 2000

By 

Mordeccai Blaustein - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units, 6 June, 1944 (Hardcover)

This is the most complete, most carefully researched, and most beautifully produced book about the D-Day landings that I have ever seen. Anybody who wants detailed and accurate information on these landings needs this book. Period.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentlemen now abed will think themselves accursed they, November 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units, 6 June, 1944 (Hardcover)

didn't buy this book earlier!!! Absolutely top notch history of the special sea-bourne American units at Normandy. Maps & photos and narrative all combine into an informative and captivating tale. Even if you are a D-Day buff with a large reference library, you will learn much from this excellent edition. It seems pricey, but it is worth all of it & more. You will not regret getting this one!
I hope this sets a pattern for books about the British & Canadian units and their efforts and successes that day. When you realise the scope of just the American beach landings, you will see the huge, multi-volume collection that would be needed to address *all* the units involved. Buy it and and spend some time with it.