D-Day Fleet 1944, American Sector: The Us Navy's Western Task Force(9 Fleet)

A fully illustrated study of how the US-led half of the Normandy invasion fleet was composed, commanded, and how it fought, from D-Day until the fall of Cherbourg. The D-Day landings and their aftermath were among the most complex and important naval operations in history. With the target beaches divided into two areas of responsibility – one US-commanded, one British – this armada launched a month-long operation to first support the landings, then to protect, supply, and support the troops ashore, as they fought to expand their toehold in occupied Europe. In this book, illustrated throughout with 3D diagrams, photos, maps and dramatic artwork, naval historian Brian Lane Herder explains how the US Navy-led Western Task Force was built, and outlines its operations off Normandy during June 1944. It covers this multinational fleet's organization, assembly, and training, as well as the intelligence and logistics picture, and explores its actions that were so crucial to success on D-Day, from its superb and continuous minesweeping efforts to the aggressive gunfire support off Omaha and Utah beaches. A unique portrait of the American naval sector in the D-Day landings, this book also examines the Western Task Force's operations off Normandy after the beachheads were established, including the destruction of the American Mulberry harbor in a storm, up to the conquest of the port of Cherbourg in late June 1944.

Table of Contents:
THE FLEET'S PURPOSE FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships - Warships - Transports and landing ships TECHNICAL FACTORS - Auxiliaries - Gunfire support craft - Assault beaches and landing craft - Logistic craft and vehicles - Western Naval Task Force air support - The American buildup in Britain, 1943–44 HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Doctrine, command and communication Intelligence and deception Logistics and facilities - Western Naval Task Force logistics - Landing Craft and Bases Europe - Final training and rehearsals COMBAT AND ANALYSIS - Chronology THE FLEET IN COMBAT - Launching Overlord, May 28–June 6, 1944 - The invasion begins - Utah Beach, June 6 - Omaha Beach, June 6 - The hour of crisis - Follow-on operations, June 7–15, 1944 - The June 19–22 Channel storm - Post-storm logistics over the beaches - Cherbourg naval fire support, June 25, 1944 ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

About the Author :
Brian Lane Herder graduated with a BA in History from the University of Kansas in 2003, and a Masters of Library Science from Emporia State University in 2009. He is a legislative librarian for the Kansas state government. He has published various titles with Osprey, focusing on World War II naval history. Edouard A. Groult is a London-based illustrator with a long interest in history, who counts the Normandy landings among his favourite subjects.

Review :
The archive photos which are used throughout the book well illustrate the story This well-illustrated book provides a unique portrait of the American part of Operation Neptune, and also examines the Western Task Force's operations after the beachheads were established, up to the Herder's strength lies in synthesising complex operations into an accessible narrative without sacrificing depth.