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D-Day Dakotas: 6th June 1944
On 18 December 1935 when the first flight of the Douglas DC-3 took place, few could have imagined that it would become one of the world's most celebrated aircraft of all time, not just as a commercial airliner but also as the C-47 military transport. When production ceased in the summer of 1945, a total of 10,926 had been built.
This wonderfully versatile aircraft played a significant part in airborne operations around the world; but perhaps its most notable employment occurred during the June 1944 Normandy campaign. This important episode within the wider history of 'D-Day' is enlivened here in classic fashion by Martin Bowman, in a narrative that features both extensive historical notes as well as deeply personal accounts of endurance and individual gallantry.
This amplified account of events as they unfolded in the skies above France on D-Day (5/6 and 6/7 June, 1944) reveals the invaluable contribution these workhorses of World War II made to the overall success in Normandy. It follows the author's comprehensive five part work published by Pen & Sword, Air War D-Day, that included a multitude of personal military accounts from both Allied and German personnel who took part in Operation 'Overlord' and the Normandy campaign.
This wonderfully versatile aircraft played a significant part in airborne operations around the world; but perhaps its most notable employment occurred during the June 1944 Normandy campaign. This important episode within the wider history of 'D-Day' is enlivened here in classic fashion by Martin Bowman, in a narrative that features both extensive historical notes as well as deeply personal accounts of endurance and individual gallantry.
This amplified account of events as they unfolded in the skies above France on D-Day (5/6 and 6/7 June, 1944) reveals the invaluable contribution these workhorses of World War II made to the overall success in Normandy. It follows the author's comprehensive five part work published by Pen & Sword, Air War D-Day, that included a multitude of personal military accounts from both Allied and German personnel who took part in Operation 'Overlord' and the Normandy campaign.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published July 11, 2019
9 people want to read
About the author
Martin W. Bowman
224 books24 followersMartin W. Bowman is one of Britain's leading aviation authors, with over 100 published books on the Second World War and post-war aviation history, and several on the landscape of East Anglia. He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography. He has a passion for flying in military aircraft. He lives in Norwich, Norfolk.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 7, 2025
Enjoyable and informative.
Sadly many books by Pen & Sword are somewhat marred by lack of editorial finesse. And this is one such.
There’s no maps or glossary. Both of which ought to be mandatory in books of this type. And there are repetitions and textual errors galore.
However, despite this, the book covers a fascinating subject. And it contains enough information, well enough conveyed, to satisfy this interested reader.
Good use is made of firsthand accounts. And that helps leaven what otherwise could’ve been an overload of data.
On my own blog/website, I rate this 3.5 stars. Just 3 seems harsh. So it’s 4 stars here on Goodreads. This is not top drawer military history, admittedly. But if you’re interested in the subject, I’d say it’s worth a read.
Sadly many books by Pen & Sword are somewhat marred by lack of editorial finesse. And this is one such.
There’s no maps or glossary. Both of which ought to be mandatory in books of this type. And there are repetitions and textual errors galore.
However, despite this, the book covers a fascinating subject. And it contains enough information, well enough conveyed, to satisfy this interested reader.
Good use is made of firsthand accounts. And that helps leaven what otherwise could’ve been an overload of data.
On my own blog/website, I rate this 3.5 stars. Just 3 seems harsh. So it’s 4 stars here on Goodreads. This is not top drawer military history, admittedly. But if you’re interested in the subject, I’d say it’s worth a read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review