"Although the Germans expected the long-anticipated invasion at any time, and although Schmidt had been told that the two were the most critical points in Normandy, because the provided the only crossings of the Orne waterways along the Norman coast road, Schmidt did not have his garrison at full alert, nor was he in Ranville on business." Chap. 1, p. 17

"By July, Howard was pretty much on his own, allowed by his colonel to set his own training pace and schedule. Initially, he put the emphasis on teaching the men the skills of the light infantryman." Chap. 2, pp. 40-41

"But one COSSAC decision that remained unchanged was the one that placed 6th Airborne on its own, east of the Orne River, with the task of holding off armored counterattacks. How to do it was left to General Gale." Chap. 3, pp. 47-48

"To carry out his assignment, Howard was given...