Three Allied Airborne Divisions two American the 82nd and 101st, and one British, the 6th, left their airfields in England in the dusk of June 5th, 1944. Their destination: enemy occupied Normandy. Their task: to secure the vital flanks of the landing area ahead of the massive Allied amphibious force and to hold off the enemy for the crucial days until the bridgehead had been firmly established. Airborne troops were superb soldiers by any standard. The fact that they could not rely on massive air, artillery, or tank support in enemy rear areas placed a premium upon individual skill, initiative, and above all, that “Airborne Spirit”. This book, written by an Airborne soldier who served in Normandy himself, sets out simply and clearly the birth of that spirit; the raising of those three divisions; their assault over the Atlantic wall by night; their successes and failures; their days of bitter fighting; their courage - and sometimes their lack of it - the smoke, dust, confusion, sleeplessness and fatigue that make up the fabric of an historic achievement on the battlefield.

The build up of United States and airborne forces -- The formation of British airborne forces -- planning for D-day - the German Army in France -- The United States 101 St Airborne Division on D-Day -- The United States 82nd Airborne Division on D-Day -- the Americans fight for their bridgehead -- The British 6th Airborne Division prepares for D-Day -- The pathfinders and the capture of the Orna bridges -- The Merville Battery and the Dives bridges -- The D-day defense of the Orna bridges - the German reaction -- Holding the bridgehead -- The final battle of Bréville.