This book, originally published in the 1950’s, is a must read for those with an interest in the D-Day landings. Most other books on this campaign try to capture all events which took place, reference official documents and memoirs from the leaders best placed to discuss strategically the battle outcomes compared to what was planned. Howarth has not done this, instead he recounts the memories of a few individuals focusing on how that day was for them. The selection is sufficient to cover the main components of Operation Overlord but his approach makes for a much more personal insight into what an ordinary, soldier, sailor, engineer, pilot, etc. was experiencing. The result is a true account of many individuals doing extraordinary things facing danger often with low odds of survival all for a very noble cause. It is enlightening, inspirational and often humorous.
I would
Ike to thank Netgalley and the publishers for providing access to this book.

I read this for the eye witness accounts, which make history come alive. Among the things I hadn’t heard before: most Germans at Normandy were too old, too young, or too badly wounded to serve on active fronts; the Americans’ light-hearted attitude toward war shocked the Germans; the B-26 Marauders bombed the beaches at Utah while Liberatores bombed Omaha, where they bombed by instruments and were much less accurate; soldiers hiding behind Germans obstacles delayed the work of the demolition teams.

This excellent book stands out amongst the very many works devoted to what Field Marshal Rommel predicted would be ‘The Longest Day’, when the Western Allies finally launched the much anticipated invasion of continental Europe. Whilst it is not especially long and does not offer an especially unique perspective it nonetheless offers the reader a skilfully put together account of D Day based on the recollections of people who were there, alongside their colleagues or neighbours who were caught up in this most violent of encounters on the narrow coastal strip of Normandy. Perhaps one of the truly valuable lessons this account offers is the sense that, whilst it is inevitable that when seen by a soldier on the small platoon or company scale the individual encounters will appear chaotic, or even heading to an unavoidable disaster, the overall large scale operation - supported by an unprecedented logistical support operation and months of detailed planning - moved forward with remarkable success. The scope of this book is determinedly narrow, focusing as it does on the events of the opening hours of D Day itself, with only brief excursions to review how individuals were prepared for their part or, in a few cases, how they fared after the battle. However, this gives the reader a proper focus on the many separate but ultimately interrelated actions taking place during these few hours.
Strongly recommended.

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.

Dawn of D-Day, by David Howarth, Stephen Howarth is an updated reprint of the author's father's book from 1959. This book is about several different people's extraordinary experiences of that infamous day almost 80years ago. I was absolutely enthralled reading about the first hand accounts of that day. I couldn't put this fascinating book down! It is a fairly quick read, and very easy to follow, and because of that I hope more people will read this, because this book is Not boring.