Assault on Omaha Beach by Simon Smith

Charging into a blizzard of unyielding machine-gun and mortar fire, elements of the 29th Infantry Division lead the assault on Omaha Beach, 6 June 1944. The scene at the water’s edge is one of chaos and bloody carnage as the heavily laden troops begin the 200 yard rush across the bullet-swept sands of what would later be known as ‘Bloody’ Omaha.

ABOUT "OVERLORD" - THE BOOK

6 June 1944: the date that marked the beginning of the end of the war in north-west Europe, and the day on which the liberation of France began.

Re-live the story of D-Day with this new 128 page book lavishly illustrated with paintings and drawings assembled from the archives of the Military Gallery. We travel through the pre-invasion preparation, the landings themselves, and subsequent battle for control of Normandy as seen through the eyes of the world's leading military and aviation artists, creating a visual masterpiece to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

Together with specially commissioned new pieces, these images form an unrivalled anthology of artistic work depicting the events of D-Day. The paintings and drawings included are from the studios of five highly talented artists whose work helps to impart some of the emotion that photographs so often fail to capture:

ROBERT TAYLOR, acknowledged as the world’s premier aviation and maritime artist, leads the way. Also included is the work of ANTHONY SAUNDERS, SIMON SMITH, CHRIS COLLINGWOOD and RICHARD TAYLOR.

These exceptional images help knit together this account of the Allied Invasion of Normandy, creating a visually inspiring masterpiece.

Signatures:

LIMTED EDITION & ARTIST'S PROOF:

Private DON McCARTHY (Print) - Was forced to swim ashore in the first wave with the 116th Infantry Division after his Landing Craft was hit.

Private 1st Class NORMAN GROSSMAN (Print) - Fought his way off the beach with the 116th Infantry Division but severely wounded during the assault on St Lô.

Warrant Officer REX STATHAM (Book) - A Flight Engineer on Halifaxes with 158 Sqn, he flew bombing missions to Caen on D-Day.

Warrant Officer RON BROWN (Book) - A Flight Engineer on Stirlings with 218 Sqn, he towed a glider into Normandy on D-Day.

Corporal GEORGE NEWTON (Book) - Jumped on D-Day with 9 Para to attack the Merville Gun Battery, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Varsity.

THE 70th ANNIVERSARY EDITION with SEVENTY SIGNATURES includes a signed copy of the Limited Edition print Assault on Omaha Beach with a signed, matching-numbered copy of the book Overlord, together with three multi-signed bookplates.

THE TRIBUTE EDITION - With all the components of the 70th Anniversary Edition, each set is accompanied by a unique ORIGINAL pencil drawing specially created for this release by artist Simon Smith. Each drawing is personally signed by the legendary member of the ‘Filthy Thirteen’, Jake McNiece and is conservation matted to include the original signatures of an additional nine veterans that played an integral part in the D-Day Invasion creating a historic EIGHTY SIGNATURE EDITION:

Sergeant JAKE McNIECE BSM*** PH* - Unofficial leader of the ‘Filthy Thirteen’ he survived four combat jumps during WWII.

Field Marshal Baron RICHARD CARVER GCB CBE DSO* MC - Commander of the 4th Armoured Brigade in Normandy.

Lieutenant General Baron MIKE DONNET CdG CVO DFC - Celebrated D-Day Spitfire Pilot.

Air Commodore PETER BROTHERS CBE DSO DFC* - Highly decorated D-Day Spitfire Ace.

Staff Sergeant PETER BOYLE RAF - Horsa glider pilot who flew Airborne Forces to Pegasus Bridge.

Colonel MAURICE LONG USAAF - Highly respected D-Day P-51 Mustang Ace.

Flight Lieutenant ROY CRANE RAF - Prominent D-Day Typhoon pilot.

Air Vice-Marshal JOHNNIE JOHNSON CB CBE DSO** DFC* - D-Day Spitfire Pilot and highest scoring RAF Ace of WWII.

Brigadier Sir ALEX STANIER BT DSO* MC - Commander of the 231st Infantry Brigade on D-Day.

Corporal BILL MAYNARD - Jumped on D-Day with Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne.