D-Day: Operation Overlord 80th Anniversary
Richard Marks
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 plus travel @45p per mile up to 50 miles from Reading. Can also be run online
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 18th April 2024
- Tagged:
- History | D-Day | Military History | Normandy
On June 6, 1944, a formidable fleet of ships neared the Normandy coast, and at 6 a.m., the cruiser HMS Belfast launched the first salvo of what would be known as D-Day, the Allied invasion of occupied Europe.
In this presentation, military and industrial historian Richard Marks will explore how the Allies prepared for the landings and how the Germans were misled into believing the invasion would occur at Pas de Calais.
You will explore how the Allies were able to land, and what role the town of Dieppe played in the success of the Normandy landings? We will examine the novel and strange technologies that were developed to ensure the success of the landings, as well as the actual experiences of troops on the beaches. You will discover the challenges that the allied soldiers faced as they swarmed ashore. Find out why the American landings at one beach nearly failed while the British and Canadian landings, as well as the American landings on another beach, succeeded ?
Discover the answers to these and many other questions in the 80th anniversary year of a pivotal point in World War Two.
Views: 231 | Enquiries: 1About Richard Marks
I am a freelance historian based in Berkshire with publications on industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science. I am currently researching the industrial development in the Victorian era, the evolution of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the second half of the 19th century, and the history of British industry. I hold a PhD in economic history from the University of Reading, which I obtained in 2024. I have also taught courses on various historical topics as a tutor with the WEA.
My talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. I can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. My goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
My previous career in technology, working with British and international manufacturing companies, has given me a unique perspective as an historian.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Richard Marks
- A Lot More than Spitfires; Behind the Battle of Britain
- Arrival of the Railways in Reading
- A Bomber's Moon: The Equipment and Tactics of RAF Bomber Command during World War Two
- Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephenson's Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
- Munitions Workers in World War One
- Britain's Railways During World War One
- Britain's Railways During World War Two
- Munitions Workers in World War Two
- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
- What Did Grandma do in World War 2? Munitions Workers in World War Two for Family Historians
- The Royal Flying Corps in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2 for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War Two for Family Historians
- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2
- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
- The Royal Navy in World War I
- The Royal Navy in World War 2
- The Western Front in World War One
- The Home Front in World War I
- More Than France: Why World War I was a World War
- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
- Living in The Slums: The Experience of the Victorian Working Class
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