Overlord's Eagles
Operations of the United States Army Air Forces in the Invasion of Normandy in World War II
Published on 5. May 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
223 pages
978-0-7864-2338-5 (ISBN)
Description
On June 6, 1944, the Allies launched Operation Overlord, the largest, most hazardous amphibious assault in history. The objective: establishment of a lodgment area in Normandy from which the Allies could strike at the heart of Germany and destroy the German armed forces. Air supremacy over northwest Europe was an absolute prerequisite for the success of the invasion, and to achieve it the U.S. Army Air Forces launched two campaigns aimed at destroying the Germans' transportation advantages in the area.
In the months and days leading up to the assault, the Army Air Forces ceaselessly bombed rail centers, rendering most of the railways in northern France and Belgium unusable. Once the actual invasion was underway, the Allies shifted to an interdiction campaign, using precise air attacks on critical transportation installations near the battlefield to neutralize Germany's efforts to resupply and reinforce their troops. This work makes use of many wartime records that had remained classified until recently.
In the months and days leading up to the assault, the Army Air Forces ceaselessly bombed rail centers, rendering most of the railways in northern France and Belgium unusable. Once the actual invasion was underway, the Allies shifted to an interdiction campaign, using precise air attacks on critical transportation installations near the battlefield to neutralize Germany's efforts to resupply and reinforce their troops. This work makes use of many wartime records that had remained classified until recently.
Reviews / Votes
"careful analysis...a highly revealing study...all levels"-Choice.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
photos, glossary, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
434 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-2338-5 (9780786423385)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
John J. Sullivan served ironically enough in a U.S. Marine Corps aviation unit in World War II. He lives in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Content
Table of Contents
Lists of Tables, Diagrams, Maps
Lists of Photographs
Preface xiii
Introduction
I. Air Preparations for Invasion
1. Overlord's Air Command
2. Eighth Air Force Operations, 1942-43
3. Eighth Air Force Fighter Problems
4. The Allied Expeditionary Air Forces
5. USSTAF's Campaign to Weaken the German Air Force
6. The Plan to Bomb French and Belgian Rail Centers
7. Opposition to the Transportation Plan
8. Air Preparations to Support Invasion Forces
II. Air Operations in Support of Overlord
9. Attacks on Rail Centers, Oil Plants, and V-Weapons Before D-Day
10. Attacks on Bridges and Airfields Before D-Day
11. Air Support for the Landings in Normandy
12. Close Air Support for Invasion Forces
13. Counter-Invasion and Resistance Operations
14. Air Support for the Allied Breakout from Normandy
15. Reorganization of Eisenhower's Air Command
III. Evaluations of Overlord's Air Campaigns
16. Surveys of the Transportation Campaign and Inderdiction
17. German Opinions of Allied Air Campaigns
18. Evaluations of Allied Air Offensives: Oil, V-Weapons, Aircraft, Road Junctions, Carpet Bombing
19. Postwar Debates About Allied Air Campaigns
Epilogue
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Lists of Tables, Diagrams, Maps
Lists of Photographs
Preface xiii
Introduction
I. Air Preparations for Invasion
1. Overlord's Air Command
2. Eighth Air Force Operations, 1942-43
3. Eighth Air Force Fighter Problems
4. The Allied Expeditionary Air Forces
5. USSTAF's Campaign to Weaken the German Air Force
6. The Plan to Bomb French and Belgian Rail Centers
7. Opposition to the Transportation Plan
8. Air Preparations to Support Invasion Forces
II. Air Operations in Support of Overlord
9. Attacks on Rail Centers, Oil Plants, and V-Weapons Before D-Day
10. Attacks on Bridges and Airfields Before D-Day
11. Air Support for the Landings in Normandy
12. Close Air Support for Invasion Forces
13. Counter-Invasion and Resistance Operations
14. Air Support for the Allied Breakout from Normandy
15. Reorganization of Eisenhower's Air Command
III. Evaluations of Overlord's Air Campaigns
16. Surveys of the Transportation Campaign and Inderdiction
17. German Opinions of Allied Air Campaigns
18. Evaluations of Allied Air Offensives: Oil, V-Weapons, Aircraft, Road Junctions, Carpet Bombing
19. Postwar Debates About Allied Air Campaigns
Epilogue
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index