Caen Controversy: The Battle for Sword Beach 1944

by Andrew Stewart

Overview

On 6 June 1944 British, American, Canadian and French troops landed in Normandy by air and sea. This was one of the key moments of the Second World War, a long-anticipated invasion which would, ultimately, lead to the defeat of Nazi Germany. By the day’s end a lodgment had been effected and Operation OVERLORD was being hailed as a success.

In reality the assault had produced mixed results and at certain points along the French coastline the position was still far from certain. The key Allied objectives had also not been captured during the first day of the fighting and this failure would have long-term consequences. Of the priority targets, the city of Caen was a vital logistical hub with its road and rail networks plus it would also act as a critical axis for launching the anticipated follow-on attacks against the German defenders. As a result an entire brigade of British troops was tasked with attempting its capture but their advance culminated a few miles short.

This new book examines this significant element of the wider D-Day operation and provides a narrative account of the operations conducted by 3 British Infantry Division. It examines in some detail the planning, preparation and the landings that were made on the beaches of Sword sector. To do this it considers the previously published material and also draws upon archival sources many of which have been previously overlooked to identify key factors behind the failure to capture the city. Its publication coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Allied liberation of France.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912174324
Publisher:	Helion and Company
Publication date:	08/19/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	18 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Andrew Stewart is a Senior Lecturer within the Defence Studies Department, King's College London, the academic component of the United Kingdom's Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC). Currently he is the Land Historian supporting the Higher Com

Table of Contents

List of photographs iv

List of maps v

Acknowledgements vi

Introduction vii

1 Invading Europe 11

2 The Allies Prepare 23

3 Defending Normandy 35

4 The Assault Begins 47

5 Airborne Prologue 59

6 H-Hour - Touch Down 73

7 H-Hour - Infantry Assault 88

8 Morning - 'Break In' 98

9 Morning - Consolidation 110

10 Afternoon - Exploitation 123

11 Evening - Culmination 136

12 'Caen Controversy' 145

Bibliography 155

Index 160

Editorial Reviews

"The book provides an extremely enjoyable and illuminating description of the events and activities of the 3 Br Inf Div which adds a significant degree of granularity to the events that occurred on Sword Beach and further inland on D-Day. By giving the reader insight into the various factors that influenced Brigadier Smith’s thinking, Caen Controversy has opened up areas for further study and discussion"

Canadian Military History Journal

… Andrew Stewart is to be commended for shedding new light on a much studied controversy in military history and pointing the way for future discussions of the subject.

Michigan War Studies Review

… Stewart’s evaluation of the battle for Sword Beach is excellent. His operational insight and ability to seamlessly flow into a tactical narrative make this a battlefield study of some significant worth … Stewart is to be commended and Helion has published another quality book well worth the investment.

War History Online

"This is by far the best analysis of the 3rd Division’s actions of D-Day this reviewer has ever read … Most highly recommended."

Society of Friends of the National Army Museum

The book provides an extremely enjoyable and illuminating description of the events and activities of the 3 Br Inf Div which adds a significant degree of granularity to the events that occurred on Sword Beach and further inland on D-Day. By giving the reader insight into the various factors that influenced Brigadier Smith’s thinking, Caen Controversy has opened up areas for further study and discussion

Canadian Military History

This is by far the best analysis of the 3rd Division’s actions of D-Day this reviewer has ever read … Most highly recommended.

Society of Friends of the National Army Museum Book Review Supplement