A military historian’s account of the German fortifications at Omaha Beach explains the huge American losses during this key WWII conflict.

In this fresh look at D-Day—one of World War II's pivotal battles—author Steven Zaloga draws on original research, including recently discovered German artillery maps, and offers well-supported evidence for why the U.S. Army suffered such enormous casualties on Omaha Beach. Focusing on Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, who oversaw German defenses in Normandy, Zaloga covers little-known aspects of the war, such as the German patrols who were tasked with shooting down pigeons the French resistance used to send messages to the Allies, offering up conclusions that are sure to spark debate.