D-day UK 100 locations In Britain

THE FORGOTTEN SITES OF BRITAIN’S D-DAY STAGING GROUNDS ARE RE-DISCOVERED

Author Simon Forty Publisher Historic England Price: £30

With 2019 seeing the 75th anniversary of D-day, it is perhaps unsurprising to hear of the plethora of new books published on this hugely important historical event. The Allied invasion of Normandy was the result of months of meticulous planning, involving an unimaginable amount of men, equipment and supplies. It was a massive gamble for the Allies, but it turned out to be one of the most successful military operations of all time. And it all had its roots in the UK, a fact that is the focus of D-day UK: 100 Locations In Britain. Simon Forty has selected 100 important locations across the UK and grouped them into six categories, including: command and control, training, logistics, embarkation points, air operations, and sea operations. Before the reader even delves into the main pages of the book, they are presented with two incredibly interesting maps showing these locations, graphically illustrating the considerable extent of the UK involved in the preparation for D-day. Using these 100 locations, the author successfully tells the story of the Allied invasion of France from the planning stage to the landing of troops on the Normandy beaches. In doing so, Forty has provided an intriguing insight into the training given the men – whether they be on land, sea or air – the incredible feat of logistics, and where the Allies embarked huge numbers of troops in the final hours before crossing the English Channel. Of course, many of the locations still exist and the book acts as a guide for those wishing to visit.