Greg H. Williams served four years in the Navy, including duty on the converted Liberty ship USS Granville S. Hall (YAG-40). He was one of 27 volunteer crewmen who made the entire five month voyage from San Francisco to Europe on the Jeremiah O'Brien in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. He lives near Noti, Oregon.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Amphibious Operations

Fleet Organization

The Sailors

The Wave Schedule

Atlantic-Pacific Turning Points

Chapter I

British Offensive Strategy

The First Front

­Pre-Invasion Planning Begins

Chapter II

Fortress Europa and the Second Front

Chapter III

The Western Front

The Landing Site and General Plan

American Bases and Geography

Churchill's Harbour

Chapter IV

Landing Craft and Equipment

The Magic Box

Barrage Balloons

Duplex Drive Tanks

Chapter V

Dieppe, the First Test

Chapter VI

Tugs and Barges to England

Ammunition

Chapter VII

What Will Jerry Do?

The First Attack

Submarines, Mines and Obstacles

Chapter VIII

Invasion Support Services

News Coverage

Chapter IX

Allied Expedition Command

Allied Naval Command

Western Task Force Command

Motor Launches

Chapter X

Countdown Highlights from May 1

Destroyer Nelson

Destroyer Endicott

The Portland Air Raid

The Date Is Set

"Y" Day

Admiral Ramsay's Special Order

Security

The Diversion Operation

The Postponement

"OK, we'll go."

Chapter XI

The Early Minesweepers

The UM Convoys

The Demolition Units

Chapter XII

The Main Assault and ­Follow-up Convoys

Freight, Oil and Water Convoys

American Assault Forces in the Eastern Sector

Chapter XIII

Tuesday, June 6

"The Big Show"

Reports from the Beaches

Chapter XIV

After ­D-Day: June 7-24

Chapter XV

The Capture of Cherbourg

Epilogue

One Family's Story

Glossary

Appendix I

Appendix II

Bibliography

Index