Cherbourg 1944

The first Allied victory in Normandy

Cherbourg 1944 cover

Description

A rigorous and absorbing study of the first major Allied operation in Normandy after the D-Day landings.

Blending expert analysis, specially commissioned artwork and illustrative maps, this book tells the story of the bitter struggle to capture this vital point. Cherbourg was recognized by both the German and Allied High commands as crucial to the Allied foothold in Normandy – it was the nearest major port and was desperately needed by the Allies for major logistical operations to support their forces on long stretches of open beach. Hitler, on the other hand, declared Cherbourg to be a 'Festung' (fortress), a designation everyone knew to mean that its defenders were to fight to the last man.

After a grueling struggle that involved several distinct tactical phases to overcome the different elements of Cherbourg's defence, the campaign resulted in a bittersweet Allied victory, the drama and significance of which are explained in full in this work.

Table of Contents

Origins of the campaign
Chronology

Opposing commanders
Opposing armies
Orders of battle
Opposing plans
The campaign
Aftermath

The battlefields today
Further reading
Index

Product details

Published Mar 20 2015
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472806642
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 65 b/w; 12 col
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 278
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Steven J. Zaloga

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from U…

Illustrator

Steve Noon

Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art…

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