If Chaos Reigns: The Near-Disaster and Ultimate Triumph of the Allied Airborne Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944

“Gentlemen, do not be daunted if chaos reigns; it undoubtedly will.” So said Brigadier S. James Hill, commanding officer of the British 3rd Parachute Brigade, in an address to his troops shortly before the launching of Operation Overlord—the D-Day invasion of Normandy. No more prophetic words were ever spoken, for chaos indeed reigned on that day, and many more that followed. Much has been written about the Allied invasion of France, but award-winning military historian Flint Whitlock has put together a unique package—the first history of the assault that concentrates exclusively on the activities of the American, British, and Canadian airborne forces that descended upon Normandy in the dark, pre-dawn hours of 6 June 1944. Landing into the midst of the unknown, the airborne troops found themselves fighting for their lives on every side in the very jaws of the German defenses, while striving to seize their own key objectives in advance of their seaborne comrades to come. Whitlock details the formation, recruitment, training, and deployment of the Allies’ parachute and glider troops. First-person accounts by the veterans who were there—from paratroopers to glidermen to the pilots who flew them into the battle, as well as the commanders (Eisenhower, Taylor, Ridgway, Gavin, and more)—make for compelling, “you-are-there” reading. If Chaos Reigns is a fitting tribute to the men who rode the wind into battle and managed to pull victory out of confusion, chaos, and almost certain defeat. Author/military historian Flint Whitlock graduated from the Army's Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA, in 1965 and spent five years on active duty, including a combat tour in Vietnam. He is the author of nine books, six of which are about World War II, and is currently the editor of WWII Quarterly. He has appeared in documentaries on The History Channel and on the Fox Channel's "War Stories with Oliver North," and now lives in Denver, CO. Table of Contents Foreword by Martin K.A. Morgan Preface Introduction Chapter 1: The Germans’ Brilliant Idea Chapter 2: Training a Brit Paratrooper Chapter 3: America Joins the Fight Chapter 4: Canada: Standing on Guard Chapter 5: Getting Gliders Off the Ground Chapter 6: The Germans on the Defensive Chapter 7: The “All Americans” Prepare Chapter 8: Pathfinders and Paradummies Chapter 9: The British/Canadian Preparations Chapter 10: The Sharpening of Knives Chapter 11: The Decision to Go Chapter 12: The British/Canadian Take-Off & Drop Chapter 13: Target: Sainte-Mère-Église Chapter 14: The Canadian Drop Chapter 15: The 101st’s Jump Chapter 16: Shootout at the W-X-Y-Z Complex, the Fight for Brécourt Manor, and Other Skirmishes Chapter 17: Battle for the Orne Bridges Chapter 18: Disaster at the Merville Battery Chapter 19: Securing Pegasus Bridge Chapter 20: Death at the Château, Battle at the Crossroads Chapter 21: Battle of Sainte-Mère-Église Chapter 22: Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer Chapter 23: Hell in the Hedgerows Chapter 24: The Battle for Chef-du-Pont & La Fière Bridge Chapter 25: D-Day Plus 1—And Beyond Chapter 26: The Battle for Bréville Chapter 27: Final Fight for La Fière Chapter 28: The Battles for Carentan & Graignes Epilogue Acknowledgments Sources Bibliography Index
ASIN: 1612000002
VSKU: DBV.1612000002.A
Condition: Acceptable
Author/Artist:Whitlock, Flint
Binding: Hardcover
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: This copy has clearly been enjoyed—expect noticeable shelf wear and some minor creases to the cover. Binding is strong, and all pages are legible. May contain previous library markings or stamps.