D-DAY THE SOLDIERS’ STORY

AN INTIMATE, OFTEN MOVING STUDY OF THE NORMANDY LANDINGS Author: Giles Milton Publisher: John Murray Price: £25

There have been so many books written on the events of 6 June 1944 that it takes something special to stand out. Giles Milton has largely ignored the big picture of the

Allied invasion of Normandy to focus almost exclusively on the individual experiences of the men and women involved.

Milton takes a commendably broad definition of ‘soldier’, including, for instance, the young German woman employed as a wireless operator, as well as the more expected combatants. The story also starts before D-day itself, covering aspects such as the glider landings that preceded the invasion.

Taking an even-handed approach to the experiences of both sides, Milton crafts a gripping narrative, packed with detail. When the story reaches the familiar beach landings, it is elevated by a poignant observation – the German machine-gunner watching the landing craft approach the beach is every bit as young, terrified and appalled at what is happening as the American boys he will soon be killing.

There will always be more to learn about an event as massive as the Normandy landings, and Milton’s research, mostly drawing on personal testimonies, never fails to engage the reader. In one particularly telling moment, he recounts how the driver of one of the first landing craft to approach ‘Dog Green’ section of Omaha Beach was forever haunted by the knowledge that every one of the young American men he transported had been killed. “I was in some way responsible for putting them there,” Jimmy Green would later say, “I can still see those fresh-faced boys getting out of the boat.”