D-Day Fleet 1944, American Sector

A fully illustrated study of how the US-led half of the Normandy invasion fleet was composed, commanded, and how it fought, from D-Day until the fall of Cherbourg.

Brian Lane Herder graduated with a BA in History from the University of Kansas in 2003, and a Masters of Library Science from Emporia State University in 2009. He is a legislative librarian for the Kansas state government. He has published various titles with Osprey, focusing on World War II naval history. Edouard A. Groult is a London-based illustrator with a long interest in history, who counts the Normandy landings among his favourite subjects.

THE FLEET'S PURPOSE FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships - Warships - Transports and landing ships TECHNICAL FACTORS - Auxiliaries - Gunfire support craft - Assault beaches and landing craft - Logistic craft and vehicles - Western Naval Task Force air support - The American buildup in Britain, 1943-44 HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Doctrine, command and communication Intelligence and deception Logistics and facilities - Western Naval Task Force logistics - Landing Craft and Bases Europe - Final training and rehearsals COMBAT AND ANALYSIS - Chronology THE FLEET IN COMBAT - Launching Overlord, May 28-June 6, 1944 - The invasion begins - Utah Beach, June 6 - Omaha Beach, June 6 - The hour of crisis - Follow-on operations, June 7-15, 1944 - The June 19-22 Channel storm - Post-storm logistics over the beaches - Cherbourg naval fire support, June 25, 1944 ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX