The World War II Normandy landings occurred 80 years ago. So important was the success of the invasion to ultimate victory that the generic term for a landing day has attached itself to Operation Overlord. It is remembered as D-Day.
“When the Sea Came Alive: An Oral History of D-Day” by Garrett M. Graff recaps the day of the invasion and the events leading up to it. He tells it using the words of the men and women who participated.
Except for connecting material to provide background, the book consists of participant quotes. Some are taken from familiar memoirs. He also used news clippings, public speeches, excerpts from government reports, and official histories. Many come from oral histories recorded in postwar years. Few of these have been previously published; they were recovered from archives kept to preserve veterans’ memories.
The book has three parts, each covered in detail. The first provides background on the invasion. This includes explaining why an invasion of France was necessary by introducing the events of 1939 and 1940 that led to the German conquest of continental Europe. This part also presents the planning and preparation for the invasion.
The second relates the actual landing. He follows the predawn airborne landings. He then goes beach by beach down the five landing areas, starting at the west at the U.S. landings at Utah beach. From there, he moves east to cover the U.S. Omaha, British Gold, Canadian Juno, and British Sword Beaches.
The final section covers the end of D-Day. It recaps the progress made that day and touches briefly on what followed through the end of the war.
Mr. Graff touches on the important aspects of the invasion. Sections discuss the Atlantic Wall, Allied deception plans (Operation Fortitude), and creation of artificial harbors. He covers both sides, giving ample quotes from both Axis and Allied participants.
“When the Sea Came Alive” can be thought of as a collage, forming individual recollections into a recognizable picture held together by Mr. Graff’s background text. Fit together by Mr. Graff, the quotes produce a greater image, one that conveys the events of D-Day in a sharper and clearer focus than typically achieved by traditional histories. It brings readers into the events described making what happened and is described more real.
Whether you are familiar with D-Day or are trying to learn something about it, “When the Sea Came Alive” is a rewarding read.
