The Allies launched their invasion of German-occupied Europe after 18 months of preparation: 3-1/2 million troops, more than 10,000 warplanes, and an armada of nearly 5,000 sea-going vessels stormed "Fortress Europe" and opened the long-awaited second front against Hitler's Reich. Includes the Allied bid for air superiority, the landings, a photo file, opposing commanders and forces, portable weapons, and many lesser-known details of the making of the new Western Front. Illustrated throughout with more than 60 b/w and 30 color photos, 6 maps, 21 equipment profiles, 13 uniform plates and specially commissioned artworks.