Operation Neptune 1944 Book Review
By Rachel E. Veres
| Date of Review | May 2014 | Title | Operation Neptune 1944 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Ken Ford | Publisher | Osprey Publishing |
| Published | 2014 | ISBN | 9781472802712 |
| Format | 96 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $21.95 |
Review
Osprey offers an informative addition to its "Campaign" series.
Subtitled "D-Day's Seaborne Armada", Operation Neptune 1944 recounts the largest naval operation undertaken deploying US, British and Canadian troops – on over 7,000 US and Royal Navy vessels!
After recapping the battle's origins, author Ken Ford devotes much of the first half comparing opponents. Chapter contents flow from opposing commanders and plans to the invasion fleet's assembly. Here, Ford also provides useful lists of Allied and German forces.
Operation Neptune – throughout and after – consumes the remaining half. Within subsequent sections, the author methodically details each assault landing and Nazi Germany's futile air and beach defenses. A brief chapter discussing the battlefield today neatly concludes coverage.
Over 60 historical photographs, maps, and artwork capturing D-Day's events augment Ford's useful book. A bibliography and index complete contents. Check the inside back cover for more study references.
One criticism: I wish the military symbols legend size was bigger. I don't require reading glasses – and it still proved difficult to see.
Highly recommended.
My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!