Table of Contents Preface 1 Introduction 3 Amphibious Operations 4 Fleet Organization 5 The Sailors 6 The Wave Schedule 6 Atlantic-Pacific Turning Points 6 Chapter I 9 British Offensive Strategy 9 The First Front 10 ­Pre-Invasion Planning Begins 11 Chapter II 13 Fortress Europa and the Second Front 13 Chapter III 15 The Western Front 15 The Landing Site and General Plan 17 American Bases and Geography 18 Churchill's Harbour 20 Chapter IV 23 Landing Craft and Equipment 23 The Magic Box 30 Barrage Balloons 32 Duplex Drive Tanks 33 Chapter V 34 Dieppe, the First Test 34 Chapter VI 37 Tugs and Barges to England 37 Ammunition 43 Chapter VII 45 What Will Jerry Do? 45 The First Attack 45 Submarines, Mines and Obstacles 62 Chapter VIII 64 Invasion Support Services 64 News Coverage 67 Chapter IX 68 Allied Expedition Command 68 Allied Naval Command 69 Western Task Force Command 69 Motor Launches 102 Chapter X 103 Countdown Highlights from May 1 103 Destroyer Nelson 106 Destroyer Endicott 107 The Portland Air Raid 108 The Date Is Set 109 "Y" Day 109 Admiral Ramsay's Special Order 110 Security 111 The Diversion Operation 112 The Postponement 114 "OK, we'll go." 115 Chapter XI 117 The Early Minesweepers 117 The UM Convoys 118 The Demolition Units 127 Chapter XII 130 The Main Assault and ­Follow-up Convoys 130 Freight, Oil and Water Convoys 191 American Assault Forces in the Eastern Sector 194 Chapter XIII 203 Tuesday, June 6 203 "The Big Show" 203 Reports from the Beaches 285 Chapter XIV 288 After ­D-Day: June 7-24 288 Chapter XV 391 The Capture of Cherbourg 391 Epilogue 401 One Family's Story 401 Glossary 403 Appendix I 405 Appendix II 408 Bibliography 413 Index 415.