Dawn of D-Day: These Men Were There, 6 June 1944

by David Howarth

June 6, 1944, is one of the most famous dates in world history, and, as David Howarth shows, a defining date in countless personal histories. In this intimate chronicle, the 7,000 vessels, 12,000 aircraft, and 750,000 men committed on D-Day are taken for granted. Instead, we see D-Day through the eyes of the men on the ground as Howarth weaves together the larger story of the beginning of the battle of Normandy with the stories of the beachhead itself. The scope of Howarth's vision-focusing on England and France, on sky, beach, and hedgerow, on divisions and squads-makes Dawn of D-Day a franker portrayal than any other of the turning-point of the war on the Western Front and the greatest amphibious operation in history.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

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

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1960

About the author

David Armine Howarth (1912 - 1991) was a British historian and author. After graduating from Cambridge University, he was a radio war correspondent for BBC at the start of the Second World War, joining the Navy after the fall of France. He rose to the rank of lieutenant commander and spent four yeas in the Shetland Islands, becoming second in command of the Shetland Naval base. He was involved in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), including the Shetland Bus, an SOE operation manned by Norwegians running a clandestine route between Shetland and Norway, which utilized fishing boats with crews of Norwegian volunteers to land agents and arms in occupied Norway. For his contributions to espionage operations against the German occupation of Norway, he received King Haakon VII's Cross of Liberty. The King also made Howarth a Chevalier First Class of the Order of St Olav.

After the War he designed and built boats before turning to writing full time. He wrote an account of the Shetland Bus operation, as well as many other books of history, bringing to his many of his books an immense practical knowledge of ships and the sea.

David Howarth died in 1991. At his request, his ashes were scattered over the waters of Lunna Voe, Shetland, near Lunna House, the first base of the Shetland Bus operation.

Reviews

[Renate Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in individual human experience on D-Day, this book is a must-read. David Howarth, a few years after WWII interviewed British, American, Canadian, Danish, and Norwegian soldiers, German soldiers, and townspeople living near the Normandy beaches which were invaded. He then interwove their stories into a stark narrative which helps us understand more broadly the immense courage and military innovation and individual gallantry, , heartbreak, purpose and hope experienced in the air, sea, and land. By giving us a human-centered view, we ironically can then better see the sheer scope of the landings and the sometimes catastrophic challenges the men chosen to lead the invasion of Normandy faced.

This is a masterful work. I am so grateful for Howarth's dedication to capturing the experiences of those who were there that fateful, historic, world-changing day.

[Mahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though many of the stories in David Howarth's Dawn of D-Day have been told with greater effect in the myriad of books published in the 65 years since the invasion, This book has stood the test of time, and deserves classic status for two reasons. Howarth interviewed Normandy veterans in the late 50's when their memories of events were still fresh and unclouded by the passage of time. The second reason is his novel approach, Howarth attempted to tell the complete story of D-Day through the eyes of 30 representative participants, weaving their various stories together into one seamless narrative. I feel like he accomplished his goal because despite it being one of the shortest books on D-Day, the reader does indeed feel as if they've gotten the complete picture(or as complete as is possible in book form) of the events of June 6th, 1944 from the men that were there.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book provides some engaging and a few informative statements about what happened when Allied soldiers (US, England, other countries) attacked the Nazis. The event has been the hundreds oof books and movies of what is called "the beginning of the end" of WW2.

The author captures many of the themes of the event in June of 1944 as soldiers attached the German soldiers who had taken over south side France (and many other places). The book provides some of the high points of the background and the events.

However, too often the book seems to have a very thin story to tell. For example, the author tells us that the attack needed to be "surprise and secrecy." (p. 11).. In chapter 2, (The British Air Drop), we learn that the air drop required "speech and good timing." (39)

Chapter 6, Omaha Beach, is he best of the book. There's some details of how the attack was planned. And there's a reference to the well known fact taht many of the German officers were away from the attack area.

One theme is the book is the fact that the soldiers on the land of France were young, very young for that time. The author says "When a boy is so suddenly forced to behave like a man, what he does is a matter of change--the chance of heredity and upbringing."

In many ways, the book demonstrates how we once thought of war and what we think about it now. Those early pages that we often overlook shows that the book was published in 1959 and that this book was an "edition" of this book.

[Victoria C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read nonfiction, especially historical or military nonfiction. I probably would not have read this if I had not needed a nonfiction book report for school, so I found myself exceedingly shocked when several chapters into the book I found myself enjoying the account of D - Day written by a man serious about presenting a fair and accurate portrait. Howarth interviews some thirty - seven people and records their accounts of the invasion into a well woven, comprehensive tapestry. I appreciate his attempts at impartiality and at presenting a fair picture by men of all sides and ranks.

[Dipra Lahiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many incredible stories of individuals who demonstrated supreme courage and bravery against daunting odds. The scale and sweep of the invasion still boggles the mind.

[Stuart Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anecdotes from men and women who were actually at D-Day. Starts a few days before June 6 to set the stage. Each person is given with a little background information and then their own little part is explored. Every one of them is subject to combat isolation so they only know what is going on right around them, and even then not much of that. How each one handled his individual situation, sometimes intentionally heroically but usually unintentionally.

Just a fascinating read that gives a mosaic of D-Day that allows you to follow the day along from all over the northern coast of France with all the different kinds of people doing different kinds of jobs with the same goal in mind. Really good.

[Eleanor Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the tales of actual men who participated in D-Day, on all sides, English, French, American, German. It's an astounding recollection taken 15 years after the end of WWII when these men were still young enough to truly remember the events of that single day. It shows how these men could see just so much in the midst of the battle. They didn't have an overview, they didn't know the whole scope of the day, they just knew what they could see, what their orders were and what they were experiencing. The author writes detailed descriptions of the various men's experiences capturing their emotions, their actions, and the vision of what they could see and feel.

[Brenda Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn of D-Day is an amazing composition bringing to light a significant time in history, a time we should always remember. Howarth's book is a masterpiece in understanding the beginning of this massive invasion through the accounts of many brave men. Howarth's book artfully and creatively grasps a reader. He reveals authentic challenges, unfathomable obstacles, and ultimate sacrifices of real men. I'll never be the same after reading this book and it has given me a greater understanding of absolute bravery and patriotism.

[Tony Boudreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book had more information of the involvement of the English. The specialized tanks were a very important part of their landing. I enjoyed the perspectives of those stories of individuals and the various jobs that were performed as part of the whole invasion. I really enjoyed this book.

[Betty J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The actions of brave and courages men

There is nothing to dislike about "Dawn of D-Day". This book tells the actual happings of D-Day. The lives it took and of those whom were willing to sacrifice their lives for worldly freedom. You will not want to put the book down until it's finished.

[Jane Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War 2 Story

A very interesting work, this book was written just 15 years after D Day, so the author could interview the men fo r their stories. Surprisingly, to me, much of which I know about *D Day was secret at the time this book was written.Good history

[Tom C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. An older book with new to me information. I've read a LOT of world war 2 books over the years and this one stands out, if only for it's very different approach. Highly recommended for WWII buffs.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Individual Stories

This is not a military strategy book. This is individual stories of men who fought on D-Day. It is a great collection and my only regret was there were not more dtories.

[Alan R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complaint - ended far too soon. The real human side of the greatest, largest, most successful (and tragic) single military action in history. Individual stories of survival and death, both heroic and sad. Real experiences of real men.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great human interest and firsthand account of D-Day from both sides. The stories are full of heroism, sacrifice. and ordeal. The book really held my interest, and I could not put it down. A great5 read for the history fan!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was well-written, though not very well edited (typos and punctuation). It didn't quite meet my expectations, but I would give it 3.5 stars.

[Sonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historic tales of the men who took part in the Normandy Invasion during WWII.

[Michael Eklund · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. Could have used more maps. And pictures of the different men telling the stories.

[Grace Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great great uncle was in the 101st Airborne Division, and since reading this book I finally know where and when he landed.

[Steve Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding factual view of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Well written and based on the evidence of the men who were there, Allies, Germans and French civilians.

[Charlie Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

[Steve Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a learning experience!

Having made at least 12 visits to the beaches and memorials of the D-Day sites, all but one with guides, this book opened my eyes and enhanced my appreciation for the personal sacrifices made by not Americans only, but by so many others! My next visit will feel so much more real because if the author’s extensive research!

[Sandra Thierer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Makes you feel like you are there on the beach with the landing forces. Focused on individual perspectives rather than the command level which was very interesting.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book it concentrated on the smaller individual stories of D Day as well as pointing out how they fitted in with the overall invasion well thought out and written well worth a read if you want a slightly different view of D Day!

[Norah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great to read a year after visiting Normandy for D Day festivities with my dad....amazing stories.