The Normandy landings commenced on D-Day, Tuesday, 6 June 1944, in two phases: an air assault landing of 24,000 British, American, Canadian and Free French airborne troops shortly after midnight, followed by an amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armoured divisions on the coast of France commencing at 6:30 AM. There were also decoy operations mounted under the codenames Operation Glimmer and Operation Taxable to distract the German forces from the real landing areas.The operation was the largest amphibious invasion of all time, with over 160,000 troops. Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved. The invasion required the transport of soldiers and material from the United Kingdom by troop-laden aircraft and ships, the assault landings, air support, naval interdiction of the English Channel and naval fire-support. The landings took place along a 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.This essential guide, of use to both the visitor and the collector, chronicles all aspects of the Battle of Normandy. In addition to offering a historical overview, each phase of the battle, from the sandy beaches to the farmlands, is accompanied by amazing colour photos of the uniforms, equipment, and arms of the various participants involved in combat. Of note are the original uniforms selected from important collections found through Hermann Historica.

This illustrated history presents a history of the Teutonic Order in the Middle Ages; its creation, its role in the Holy Land and on the shores of the Baltic Sea, its expansion in Prussia and the Baltic States. The Teutonic Knights were members of the order of the Teutonic Knights of the Hospital of the Blessed Virgin. They were a military-religious order of knights that restricted membership to Germans. Part of the original Knight Hospitallers, under Hermann von Salza they split from the main branch and founded their own order, taking on a very distinctive white cloak bearing a stark black cross on the left shoulder. A very rich photo album, it includes images of documents, weapons, castles of the Order, with plans and beautiful colour photos of several current Order castles, including Marienburg. The battle of Tannenberg / Grunwald is also mentioned with great pictures of the reconstruction that was performed for the 150th anniversary of the Battle.

The Leibstandarte was Adolf Hitler's personal Bodyguard Regiment, and independently participated in combat during the Invasion of Poland. By the end of World War II it had been increased in size from a regiment to a Panzer division. The elite division was a component of the Waffen-SS which was found guilty of war crimes in the Nuremberg Trials. In the earliest days of the NSDAP, it was realized by the leaders that bodyguard units composed of trustworthy and loyal men would be a wise development. In 1934, by order of Himmler, the initials "SS" were added to the Leibstandarte's title, thus becoming the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. Then, in late June of 1934, the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler was called into serious action for the first time. As a result of a the political situation that had been growing within the NSDAP over Ernst Röhm and his stated desire for a second revolution in Germany, a move was made to remove the problematic heads of the SA. This action culminated in what is known as Die Röhm Affäre and the Night of the Long Knives.The 2 volume Dictionnaire de la Leibstandarte offers detailed portraits and biographies of the principal members of Hitler’s Leibstandarte. Compiled together for the first time, the 600 photographs provide rare images of the men who served in this army, along with the uniforms they wore and related objects in their possession.

Jean Durantin presents the long-awaited history of the French Naval Special Forces unit Commando de Penfentenyo enlisted in the Algerian battles from 1954 to 1962. Richly documented with over 1,000 colour photographs and original documents, Durantin provides the entire history of the marine commando during this campaign and makes reference to specific commandos such as “Yatagan.”The Algerian War was a fiercely fought conflict between French and Algerians forces that resulted in the creation of the independent state of Algeria. Guerilla warfare, terrorism and torture were all components of this hard won campaign, that still haunt Algerian and French relations today. French Language

Following the success of the two works on Hastings — both now out of print — is finally a book entirely dedicated to this century. Not only does it present garments from Normandy, based off of the Bayeux Tapestry, as well as those of Eastern France and Belgium, but also clothing from other regions of the Empire. Additionally, it presents the various buckles, jewelry, and trimmings popular during the period. This edition will also examine the objects of daily life, providing the most current study of such a great century in history. Leading specialists have provided expert commentary based off of 12th century illuminations, archeological finds, and historical reconstructions.

Like her presentation of French medieval cuisine, including the famous Viandier by Taillevent, and the famous Mesnagier de Paris, Josy Marty-Dufaut now shares her interest in Catalan medieval cuisine from the beginning of the 14th century. Le Libre de Sent Sovi is one of the first culinary manuscripts of Europe written in vernacular Catalan.Medieval Catalonian cuisine is one of subtle flavors; the combination of sweet and salty, sweet and sour, all exquisitely nuanced. It carries with it an identity which is uniquely Catalonian, with its own culinary techniques that are still being used today: la picada, a pâté made with almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, herbs and spices that have all been crushed together, and le sofregit, a compote made of onions, garlic, herbs, which have simmered for hours.Catalonian Language

Hastings is perhaps the most famous battle ever fought on English soil and resulted in William, Duke of Normandy, becoming King of England. Popularly known as William the Conqueror, his victory over King Harold and his forces was a pivotal turning point in English history, the influences of which are still to be seen today. The weaponry, equipment, dress, logistics and living conditions of the soldiers from both sides are covered in great detail as is the terrain and the tactics of the two armies, using illustrations from the Bayeux Tapestry and photographs of a recent re-enactment of the battle which took place on the original battlefield.

The wartime autobiography of one of the most colorful SOE operatives of his time. Sheppard's is a tale of extraordinary courage and bravery and of a man who ended his war in Nazi concentration camps but survived to tell the tale.TEXT IN FRENCH

Field guide to the landing Beaches - full of photographs.

In the Medieval period, the idea of the crusade (or holy war/jihad) gained favor as a way firstly of freeing the Holy Land from Muslim control, it then degenerated into a justification for imposing western domination in Asia Minor. Crusades, therefore, always took place away from western Europe. However, in 1209, for the first time on Catholic Christian soil, a crusade was undertaken which lasted for over 30 years in southern France, with Simon de Montfort at its head. The crusade was against Cathar heretics, known also as Albigensians. This highly illustrated book details all the military and social consequences of what became a serious bloodletting. It also portrays the early career of Simon de Montfort, a character whose influence can still be felt down the centuries as the leader of the barons who made England's King John sign the Magna Carta.French Language

The authors present a version of the Battle of Orleans that Joan of Arc was the main actor, based on several essential sources. These give a picture overnight what was this terrible battle. Discussed here: the political context, the situation of the city, military science of the time, as well as biographies of French and English captains present at the battle.

This book, composed of three parts, first of all recalls the design and the manufacture of the gliders, the creation of the flying schools as well as the setting-up of the program of pilot training. The second part is interested in the use of the American gliders on June 6, 1944 in Cotentin by detailing all the missions in which they took part. The last part, as for it, is focused on the ignored role held by these same apparatuses at the time of the landing of Provence. This book does not forget to mention the parachutists combined at the sides of which the gliders took share with the engagements. You will find many photographs and new documents as well as testimonies of German, French and American veterans.

A superb, highly illustrated book! From their bridgeheads in Normandy, established after three months of intense fighting, the Allies finally broke out and began a spectacular advance, pushing the Germans back at an unprecedented rate. Here’s the complete story of what became known as Montgomery’s Blitzkrieg.

This short French text, the second in a three volume series, is both a reference source and a tourist guide which introduces the reader to the French Royal Castles built in the age of St Louis.

French Language

This collection of reminiscences and poems of American veterans residing in France brings alive the realities of World War II, particularly in France but also in North Africa, the South Pacific, England, Belgium, Holland, Italy and Germany.Many compelling images emerge from these seventeen stories: a secret agent launching kayaks in cold Algerian waters, a six-foot-two sergeant wading ashore at Utah Beach, an American medic treating a German soldier in a Norman church, a young Frenchman hiding an American airman in a shepherd's hut, a commander crawling over to a burning tank to save on of his "boys", a WAC dancing in the streets of Paris on V-E Day.