| Destination D-Day: Preparations for the Invasion of North-West Europe 1944 Contributor(s): Rogers, David (Author) |
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ISBN: 1909982059 ISBN-13: 9781909982055 Publisher: Helion & Company OUR PRICE: $40.50 Product Type: Paperback Published: June 2014 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Military - World War Ii - History | Europe - General |
| Dewey: 940.5 |
| LCCN: 2014498528 |
| Physical Information: 0.6" H x 6" W x 9.1" (1.05 lbs) 304 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 1940's |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Arguably the Normandy landings were the most complex single operation in the history of modern warfare, maybe of any conflict. Spread over five beaches assigned to both the US and British/Canadian Forces, the need for detailed planning was paramount. There was obviously planning for the assembly of troops and the armada of ships, boats and tugs to transport the men and equipment to their destination. Yet this particular activity was fairly late in the planning stages. For example the Duplex Drive tanks used from D-Day onwards were the subject of a US patent which was filed on 13 March 1942 by N. Straussler. The Beach Groups, a combined British Force comprising all three services, assembled in Scotland in the summer/autumn of 1943, and spent many months on maneuvers. Operation PLUTO ('pipeline under the ocean') started on 14 August 1942, involving engineers, scientists and members of the armed forces working together to design and develop a pipeline capable of being deployed from the Isle of Wight to the Normandy Beaches, pumping fuel to Normandy. Work on the Mulberry Harbor, the floating temporary harbor erected on two sites supplying British/Canadian soldiers from one beach and the American troops from another, commenced in 1941 at Garlieston, Scotland. Fabrication for the Phoenix caissons (the final chosen construction method) took place along the English South Coast. Some of the Phoenix caissons were abandoned where they were made and are still visible. Further activities were planned to support the French and create an infrastructure. In one case the Royal Engineers landed a train in case the retreating Germans either destroyed the railway network or immobilized the trains. Additionally an organization, known as Civil Affairs, moved in behind the tanks to set up civil administration. This unit moved slowly through France to Holland. The author provides rich and fascinating detail on these and other aspects of the preparations in the UK for D-Day and the battle for Normandy. |
Contributor Bio(s): Rogers, David: - "Dave Rogers set up Danercon Ltd in 2004 - having previously worked for a multinational company for 23 years. During his industrial career, Dave spent time working in research and development and in the manufacturing division. His research experience involved product component research, product design and the implementation of process verification equipment. Dave's manufacturing experience covers the product issues of day-to-day manufacture and product design as part of a waste reduction effort, as well as leading a process research and development group of some 20 engineers and scientists. Dave holds a Bachelor and Doctorate Degree in Chemistry, and Fellowships with the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Royal Photographic Society and The British Institute of Professional Photography (the latter by invitation). He was Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster 2002-05. Dave is a long-term school governor - having recently completed 15 years as primary school governor. He has written or edited 13 books. Two are war-related, which he edited for his father; a third wartime book was co-written by Dave and his father. This is Dave's fifth book for Helion - having previously written Top Secret. British Boffins in World War One, Men Amidst the Madness - British Technology Development in World War Two, Destination D-Day - preparations for the invasion of North-West Europe 1944 and Rebuilding Britain The aftermath of World War Two." |