The D-Day Atlas: Anatomy of the Normandy Campaign

by Charles Messenger

An hour-by-hour re-creation of the D-Day invasion and its aftermath, told through new and highly detailed computer-generated maps, explanatory texts, and contemporary photographs. June 2004 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the largest amphibious military operation in history. D-Day was the culmination of four years of planning and preparation, which had begun in summer 1940 when Britain stood alone and under imminent threat of a German cross-Channel invasion. This groundbreaking study of D-Day and the subsequent campaign charts the gradual evolution of the invasion plan, encompassing the intelligence efforts, the Anglo-U.S. strategic debate over where the Allies should attack, and the elaborate deception put in place to fool the Germans about the true D-Day objective. The buildup culminates in an hour-by-hour and day-by-day account of the landings by air and by sea on the beaches of NormandyUtah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Swordand the subsequent grim struggle for six weeks to break through the German defenses. At the center of this fascinating re-creation of the D-Day invasion are 70 maps in full color, which incorporate the latest computer technology. Many are in fact based on the same maps used by the Allies in 1944. Detailed drawings and 80 photographs, both modern and contemporary to the period, help bring the beaches of Normandy to life. The book also includes contributions by French and German historians.

Genres: History, Military History, World War II, Atlases, European History, War, Reference

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2004

About the author

Charles Rynd Milles Messenger was a British Army officer and writer. He served for many years in the Royal Tank Regiment (19 years as a Regular, 13 years as a Territorial) before becoming a military historian and defense analyst after his retirement from active service. In addition to having published more than forty books during his long career, he also carried out several historical analyses for the Ministry Of Defence and was a writer and/or adviser for several TV documentary series.

Reviews

[Sarah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was highly detailed, but easy to understand and absorb. Once I was done with it I passed it to my father to enjoy. And I know he definitely enjoyed it quite a bit. We both share an interest in american history. It was very entertaining, engaging, and informative.

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently went to Normandy, May 2019 and this book was a fantastic reference guide. We had a professional one on one guide for four days in Normandy and I found myself telling him information from the area due to the vast information I had read about in this book. By the time we finished the trip our guide was going to purchase the book as a reference. I would hate to go to the region without first reading this book. It was and is an amazing find.

[Barry Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great atlas covering D-Day and the battle of France in 1944 with most focus on Normandy. Lots of maps and great text following the events of June/July 1944. Only slight criticism would quite often the maps on quite a few pages don’t correspond with the writing in that particular page, not a big deal but it was a bit annoying sometimes. But overall a excellent addition on the subject which I’m sure I will go back into a number of times.

[Rose Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A worthy addition to the history of this famous military campaign. Beautifully clear maps. And so useful this month as I am re-reading the D-Day books of Max Hastings, Cornelius Ryan and Stephen Ambrose.

[Sean Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information but riddled with spelling/textual errors and maps are in odd places, two pages after the discussion in the text or a few pages early; sometimes out of chronological order.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The D-Day Atlas” tells the story of the D-Day landings and follow-up battles in words and pictures. The maps are numerous, colorful and informative. They show the locations and movements of the various units without the distracting terrain lines found on some other maps. The photos add a sense of realism while the drawings of the ships, planes and tanks provide the engineer’s perspective of the equipment.

Do not let the visual effects overshadow the narrative of the battles. Author Charles Messenger explains the development of the war that set the stage for Overlord. He introduces us to the men, on both sides, who fought it and leads us onto the beaches, into the bocage and through the breakouts. The story did not end there so neither did the book. It completes the tale with the disputes over an Allied land commander, the controversy over the closing of the Failase Pocket and Operation Market Garden (A Bridge Too Far).

“The D-Day Atlas” is an invaluable aid to anyone seeking an understanding of Overlord and its aftermath.

I did receive this in a Goodreads Giveaway. The review was optional.

[Patrick Kitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book you read! This is a book you love. It has tons of maps that you can study and being a map person it is a joy to see so many maps in one book. I have also been to the beach fronts and we took this book with us to understand the distances that troops moved, to see the beach front set ups and what not. If you like WW2 in the European Theatre and you want to feel closer to Dday then this book is for you to buy and sift through. I have owned the book for a few years and it is used atleast 1 month either by kids or me.

[Roaldeuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be brief: If you have read, are in the process of reading, or are planning to read any book on the Normandy Invasion, this is an essential companion. For example, Overlord (Max Hastings, very good maps), Decision at Normandy (Carlo D'Este, decent maps, but not enough of them), Six Armies at Normandy (John Keegan, mediocre maps). Or anything else for that matter. Five stars. [note: I own and reviewed the earlier edition of this book - but the superb maps remain the same]

[Michael Kochuga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an excellent, detailed, and very accurate depiction of the fateful day proclaimed in the title. The maps are wonderfully insightful if a little seriously drawn. Everything about this book is entoxicating to any history buff and may turn a few waffling minds over to the history literature side.


Reveiw of a contest copy won via GoodReads...

[Felicia Glaser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book to go along with the historical-work by John Keegan, Six Armies in Normady, and to help make sense of all the towns and geography! :) It includes many various maps and photos.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sue Ann and I visited Normandy last year and saw many of the sites shown in the landing beaches. This book had very detailed maps, which added to its enjoyment.

[Clark Hanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A intricate book on all the troop movements from d-day