Operation Neptune

Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1974. First Edition [stated], presumed first printing. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. 168 pages. Illustrations. Maps. Appendices. Bibliography. Index. Format is approximately 4.5 inches by 7 inches. This is number 10 in the Sea Battles in Close-Up series. Vice Admiral Brian Betham Schofield had a distinguished naval career serving in both World Wars. He was closely involved in the planning of naval operations for D-Day and his insider view is told in Operation NEPTUNE. Operation Neptune was the cross-Channel crossing phase of Operation Overlord. Operation Neptune placed all naval issues under the command of Admiral Bertram Ramsey whose command skill had already been seen in 1940 with the part he played in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. Ramsey knew that such a vast assault would place a huge strain on the Royal Navy simply in terms of the number of boats/ships required. Ramsey's plan assumed that the vast aerial power of the Allies would ensure that the fleet would be free from a German attack from the air. The whole armada would be spearheaded by a flotilla of 287 mine sweepers that would clear the way for the ships behind them. Behind them would be 138 warships that would bombard the German beach defenses in Normandy. The troop carrying convoy would then sail from southern English ports protected by an escort of frigates and corvettes. Over 4,000 landing craft had been assembled and these were in need of protection. Ramsey also had to organize the movement of 146 pieces of the Mulberry Harbour across the Channel by using a large number of tugs. This structure was of great importance to the Allies- and there was a very specific timetable to keep to.