Forgotten Voices of D-Day: A Powerful New History of the Normandy Landings in the Words of Those Who Were There

by Roderick Bailey

The definitive oral history of the single-day invasion that proved to be the turning point of World War Two — D-Day.

June 6, 1944 — one of the most momentous days in the day when Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied Europe. Under the command of U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower, the Normandy landings were the culmination of three years’ planning and the most ambitious combined amphibious and airborne assault ever attempted. Its success marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

Drawing on the Imperial War Museum’s vast Sound Archive, Forgotten Voices of D-Day tells the full story of this turning point of the war. From the build up in Britain of a vast invasion force, to the deception measures taken to try to fool the Germans into believing the invasion would take place elsewhere.

Featuring remarkable, often untapped first-hand testimonies, Forgotten Voices of D-Day is the definitive oral history of a defining turning point in history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Military Fiction, Military History, European History

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Reds_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Voices series are a collection of transcripts of oral histories stored in the Imperial War Museum, this one contains the memories of some of those who took part in the Normandy landings (mostly British, but some other Allied servicemen and indeed some Germans) and civilians who were involved or who witnessed events.

I've read several in the series and have adored them all, this was no different. These are very personal stories and contain fascinating, and sometimes grim, details about the events that occurred.

[MR N R MOORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nicely balanced view of the British on D-Day

My grandad was a Royal Marine Commando and was driving an LCI on D-Day before moving up on the 7th to rejoin his unit. He never spoke about the war to anyone except me, and that's only because I have experienced it. Even then he said very little. Well, in this book I read about things that his unit went through. It left me sobbing my heart out, the day being recalled so openly and fully by men my grandad would have known. So many voices recalling, so calmly, what must have been both the worst and the most important of all days. This goes a good way to righting the view popularised by Hollywood that America did it all alone. I suggest that this is read by anyone who has interest in this conflict. It would have made Grandad proud.

[Abhijit Tapas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgotten Voices of D-Day: the day allied forces landed in Normandy. Compiled from the recordings of the eyewitnesses, this tells a compelling story of the turning point of the second world war. From the build up, Countdown, and the details of Airborne and Seaborne assault, this makes for a compelling read. The introduction by Winston S Churchill captures the words of the Kohima epitaph: " For your tomorrow, we gave our today" and a poignant message from the parents of a nineteen-year old, who had died on D-Day:
" To the World he was One......
To Us he was the World"

[Tim Corke · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fitting to start reading this on the 80th anniversary of DDay - it’s an account that everyone should read. It’s heartbreaking and sad to read of the huge, devastating impact the Normandy invasion had on the Allied forces, the brutality, death and chaos that young soldiers, sailors and airmen experienced. It’s an account of war that acts a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice and the long term mental and physical scars that a generation borne to give us the freedoms we take for granted today.

[Rob C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is a must read for anyone. Never has a book affected me as much as this one. The hope in human beings, felt through soldiers and their real accounts of D-day, transcribed in the book, is really quite incredible. I highly recommend this book, I will never forget it.

[Mr. TIM ALVIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Absolutely brilliant, you are there with them in your head, we owe so much to these generations of men, their story is imperative

[James Bride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic selection of accounts by those whe were there. Possibly the best book on ww2 history I have read.

[Nick Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting enough. Learned a lot from a range of perspectives. The book focuses on the Allied perspective - I'd be interested in the perspectives of German soldiers on the same events too.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are to read this you need a general view of what happened on D-Day (6th June 1944 on the Normandy coast) but if you have that this book is a little gem. These are the voices all the way from Mountbatten to ordinary privates, all telling about their experiences - both in preparations for it to the end of the day. It is the voices of the Brits and it is the voices of the survivors (of course - but quite of few of them were injured). It is well organized and easy to follow - and very well describes the chaos and (quite frankly) hell that was the landing.

The only thing that I would have liked was a better glossary - there is one at the back of the book (don't miss it when you read it), but it could have been much longer because this is a book with a lot of military jargon...

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from the Forgotten Voices series. Follows the same format of eye witness accounts this time of D Day, great chronological layout from build through execution split into airborne and seaborne then pushing inland. Easy read for all ages from teens up, great for a little human insight and to use for history projects.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this an insightful book looking at D Day's events told by those who were there. Reading some of the things these young men saw and did horrifies and amazes me. Worth a read if interested in this part of history.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many D-Day books and this one is up there with the best. I found it addictive and couldn't put it down. It's good to hear the British account of D-Day as apposed to a fictional American work of art.

[Rakesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't as interesting as I had thought it to be. The commentaries made no sense in the beginning and there wasn't a real conversational tone to it, though I guess it was tried to be made that way. The chronology also seemed a bit weird and somehow the whole effect was lost on me.

[Alstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[James Piper]

I am looking forward to read this. I can't imagine what it would be like to board a ship for the start of this invasion. Many were ill. Few slept. Most were terrified.

[Terry Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely enthralling

[dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

D-Day

This was a very good book. It tells a lot of what went on that day.
All of the good and bad that the soldiers did and saw.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing insight into what they felt and went through.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

History told by the people who were part of D Day.

I have read a lot of books about D Day and I am always drawn to the forgotten voices because they are not talking about historical facts it is just the way it was.