Orne Bridgehead

Battle Zone Normandy #1

by Lloyd Clark

6th British Airborne Division's attacks on 'Pegasus' Bridge and the Merville Battery are remembered as two of the most remarkable actions which took place in Normandy on 6 June 1944. The division fought for far longer than just one day, however, achieving a great deal of success by securing the Allied left flank and creating a firm base from which a breakout into the French interior could be launched. The strengths, weaknesses and sheer drama of airborne warfare are all encapsulated in the opening week of the division's operations in Normandy as its lightly armed but highly trained and motivated troops sought to overcome a more heavily armed enemy desperate to unhinge the invasion. Starting with an examination of 6th Airborne Division, its plan and the German opposition, Lloyd Clark provides an overview of British operations east of the River Orne from the initial landings in the early hours of 6 June to the capture of Breville seven days later. The battlefield tours which follow include the famous and dramatic assaults on 'Pegasus' Bridge and the Merville Battery, but also the lesser known struggle to secure the British southern flank around Le Bas de Ranville, Longueval and St. Honorine on 6-7 June and the Battle of Breville on 12 June.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Lloyd Clark is a senior lecturer in war studies at Great Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and he has lectured on military history around the world. His special interests are the Western Front of the First World War, the Mediterranean Front of the Second World War, and airborne warfare.

-Librarything.com

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a l'histoire en général et ensuite un circuit guidé par l'auteur avec les anecdotes. Très bien fait pour avoir une vision globale de la bataille.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the British Red Devil paratroopers and their action on D-Day. I really liked the pictures, the old ones were cool, but the new color pictures were neat because they showed the landmarks discussed in the book as how they look now and gives a good feel the area of operations.

One thing I would have liked better is more personal stories and quotes from some of the soldiers there. But, I know that's a tall task.