By 1944 the Commandos and the US Rangers had proved their worth, taking on special tasks and some particularly heavy fighting in both Sicily and in Italy. Now returned from the Mediterranean for D-Day, the Commandos and Rangers were selected for largely independent tasks, ideal for the commando's special skills, temperament and training. The book will take the reader or the visitor along the 1944 invasion coast from the Point du Hoc battery that covered the infamous American Omaha Sector, via the British Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches and across to the famous Pegasus Bridge on the British left flank. The US Rangers' capture of the Point du Hoc Battery is fully covered, as are the ?Saving Private Ryan' actions around ?Dog One' and the western cliffs above Omaha Beach. Also covered is 48 Commando's capture of the vital installations of Port en Bessin and the Army and Royal Marines, Commandos who landed with the British and Canadian assault divisions. Lord Lovat's 1st Special Service Division, with its French Commando troops, forms a significant part of the book, covering their operations to take the port of Ouisterham and reinforce 6th Airborne Division via Pegasus Bridge. AUTHOR: Tim Saunders recently retired from the Army to concentrate on writing and working as a battlefield guide. He has written 12 Battleground Europe books, most recently Crete, as well as West Country Regiments in The Great War. ILLUSTRATIONS 120 b/w photographs
