Allied Warships vs the Atlantic Wall: Normandy 1944

by Steven J. Zaloga, Adam Hook (Illustrator)

Overview

A fascinating exploration of the often-overlooked gunnery duels between the formidable artillery weapons in the Atlantic Wall defences and the mighty US and Royal Navy battleships.

Amphibious landings were an essential tool of Allied military strategy in World War II. The Royal Navy and the US Navy provided operational mobility that allowed the Allies to strike unexpectedly across the vast coastlines of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Nazi Germany did not have sufficient naval power to seriously contest this, and consequently relied heavily on the huge and costly Atlantic Wall fortification programme. By 1944, the French coast featured more than 1,900 coastal guns over 75mm in calibre.

At the heart of this fascinating book by renowned military historian Steven J. Zaloga is the clash between Batterie Hamburg (defending Cherbourg) and the Allied naval bombardment group led by the battleship USS Texas on 25 June 1944. Stunning artworks reveal details of the design, construction and ammunition of the weapons involved, and the locations of important sites are shown on maps. The author also explores the evolution of Allied naval doctrine, which was based on repeated experiences during a succession of amphibious operations, and which enabled the Allies to successfully overcome the coastal gun threat. Illustrated with over 50 period photographs, the result is a fascinating exploration of a key battle during the Allied invasion of mainland Europe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472854155
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/26/2023
Series:	Duel , #128
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for three decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and history, including NVG 294 Allied Tanks in Normandy 1944 and NVG 283 American Guided Missiles of World War II. He currently lives in Maryland, USA.

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and the history of fortification. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chronology

Design and Development

The Combatants

The Strategic Situation

Combat

Analysis

Aftermath

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

The conclusions make very interesting reading.” —The Fortress Study Group

From the Publisher