D-Day - the Battle of Normandy, 6th June 1944 Orep Editions Historical Map

D-Day Historical Map: The Battle of Normandy, 6th June 1944 from the Bayeux-based Orep Editions presenting the structure of the attacking Allied forces and the disposition of the occupying German troops, plus insets showing the development of the attack and, on then reverse, a contemporary photo of the invading ships.

On one side, the main map shows the coast of Normandy with the five landing beaches, Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, with the placements of the German troops and, on the sea boxes indicating the command structure of the Allied forces. Additional smaller maps present: southern England with locations of various assault formations and the positions of the German units between Calais and Rennes; the progress of the attaching Allied forces between 6th June and 23rd August; plus an enlargement for the battle of the Falaise Pocket. Additional text charts the progress of the first eight hours of D-Day. Map legends and all the text are bilingual in French and English.

The whole of the reverse side is taken by an impressive contemporary black and white photo taken from one of the beaches, with the already disembarked troop carriers in the foreground, the huge artificial floating harbours in the middle, and in the background smaller ships and above them air support planes.