On the 6th June 1944 some 1,449 British servicemen were killed in Normandy, almost one in ten, some 137 men, were Royal Marines.

D Day remains the biggest operational commitment in the long history of the Corps, the high proportion of casualties reflects the very dangerous and complex tasks undertaken by them on the beaches of Normandy. D Day planning redefined the role of the Corps at the height of World War Two and shaped its purpose for the following eight decades; arduous training passed by all, amphibious manoeuvre and commando operations were to become the stock in trade of the modern Corps. Yet, 80 years later, few of us know the full story of the Royal Marines and D Day.

To tell the story of the Royal Marines in that epic operation is just is complex; Marines served on the near shore in many capacities from building slip ways to training assault troops; at sea in bombardment, assault and build-up forces, on the beaches in landing craft and LCOCUs and on hostile shores in Commandos, tanks, intelligence units, port parties and much more. With the action taking place across 100 miles of sea and 50 miles of landing beaches, with Marines serving in so many different roles and units, by necessity to fairly record such a vast range of commitments and events this must also be a complex book.

George Gelder’s latest book on the Royal Marines in WW2 is a tour de force. With support from archives across the UK, his deep research sets out the plan in fine detail, locating the Royal Marines in all parts of the operation. He then leads us using rare primary sources to follow events as the operation unfolds.

You can pre-order your copy of this master piece, just £14 plus P&P, from the link below.

Pre-Order Invasion, The Royal Marines and the Battle for Normandy, 194 – Royal Marines Shop