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Operation Neptune (Paperback)

Naval Operations for the Normandy Landings 1944

Maritime WWII > Battles & Campaigns > D-Day & Normandy

By B B Schofield
Imprint: Pen & Sword Maritime
Pages: 176
Illustrations: 24pp B&W Photos
ISBN: 9781399078511
Published: 16th April 2024

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Operation NEPTUNE was the codeword for the naval side of the OVERLORD plan for the historic June 1944 landings in Normandy. Massive in its scale, its tasks were wide-ranging and varied, from beach reconnaissance, minesweeping, shore bombardment as well as the organisation of loading, assembly and disembarkation; it was also responsible for positioning two 'Mulberry' artificial harbours and 'Pluto': the laying of the cross-channel fuel pipeline under the sea. Operation NEPTUNE may not have been a naval battle in the traditional sense, but it ranks as one of the greatest naval exploits in history. In this timeless book, Vice Admiral Schofield describes the great events of June 1944 which, as Captain of HMS Dryad, the Royal Naval shore establishment which housed General Dwight Eisenhower's Supreme Allied Headquarters before the landing, he witnessed at first hand.

This is a fascinating book written by the man in charge of the campaigns battle headquarters in 1944, known as HMS Dryad.

The author sets the scene and then takes you through the planning, the problems, the weather and ultimately the assault and the aftermath, all from a naval perspective. There are many books about D Day, but this is the only one that I have found to list all the naval vessels present, their armament, ammunition allocation and then to look at the impact of German naval forces. Some of the impact of naval firepower is recorded, but there could have been more, perhaps the subject for another volume.

The book comprises 150 pages and is easy to digest. There are sections on each of the 5 beaches which is comprehensive.

In conclusion this is a must for all those interested in D Day itself and the Naval element in particular. It is certainly one I will reread from time to time.

Brian Smyth, York Model Engineers

"...it is excellent to see that this fine book has been re-published for the benefit of contemporary naval officers and all those seeking to understand naval operations."

Read the full review here.

Australian Naval Institute

As featured on World War II Today

WW2 Today

quite simply tells you everything there is to know

Britain at War - October 2008

The book has over the years been an essential item in any bibliography relating to the D Day landings...a fascinating account ....

War Books Out Now

About B B Schofield

VICE ADMIRAL BRIAN BETHAM SCHOFIELD, CB, CBE served in the Royal Navy for 42 years. As Director of the Trade Division in the Admiralty during the Second World War, he was closely involved with the Rescue Ship Service. Later he commanded HMS King George V, flagship of the British Pacific Fleet. After retiring in 1950, he wrote numerous works on naval history including Operation Neptune, Stringbags in Action and his memoirs, With the Royal Navy in War and Peace (all in print with Pen & Sword Books) as well as the highly acclaimed The Russian Convoys. He died in 1984.

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