D-Day - the 'Longest Day' - was the culmination of over two years of meticulous planning by British and American war leaders. In an operation that involved the formation of the largest invasion fleet in history, the massed Allied armies successfully landed in Normandy, punching a hole in the seemingly impregnable walls of Hitler's 'Fortress Europe.' Supported by troops dropped from the air and massive bombing raids, the armies secured the beachheads by the evening of the first day. Thus began Operation Overlord - the laborious and bloody advance that would ultimately lead to Berlin and to victory. D-Day is a major examination of the planning that led to June 6, 1944, as well as of the events on the day itself and beyond. Written by a military historian, this authoritative and fascinating book provides an insight into one of the most significant military actions of the modern era. Superbly illustrated throughout with photographs drawn from Allied and German archives as well as specially commissioned photography, it brings into vivid focus the realities of the struggle for the liberation of Europe. - from Amzon