Mastermind of Dunkirk and D-Day

Discover the captivating biography of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, a pivotal mastermind of Dunkirk and D-Day, penned by noted author Brian Izzard. This meticulously researched hardback edition, measuring 152 x 229 mm with 288 pages, unveils Ramsay's unparalleled contributions during World War II. Readers will be enthralled by how Ramsay orchestrated the remarkable evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940, turning what was expected to be the rescue of 40,000 men into a historic feat of saving around 330,000 troops, despite the tremendous cost to the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy. Izzard’s biography explores Ramsay's critical involvement in vital military operations, including the successful invasion of Sicily in 1943 and his essential role in planning and commanding the D-Day invasion, which saw 7,000 ships delivering Allied forces to the shores of Normandy. Despite his significant achievements, including his promotion to Admiral in April 1944 and his appointment as Naval Commander-in-Chief, Ramsay’s legacy has often been overshadowed. This book sheds light on his remarkable life, recalling how, after retiring in 1938, Ramsay was reinvigorated by Winston Churchill to lead during crucial times. Dive into the compelling stories and untold truths behind Ramsay's strategic prowess and discover why he is the unsung hero of both Dunkirk and D-Day. This gripping narrative is not just for history buffs but for anyone interested in military strategy and leadership during turbulent times.

Author: Brian Izzard Publisher: Casemate
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 152 x 229 mm
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 13-03-2020

This is the major biography of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay in fifty years. Ramsay masterminded the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940. Initially, it was thought that 40,000 troops at most could be rescued. But Ramsay's planning and determination led to some 330,000 being brought back to fight another day, although the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy paid a high price in ships and men. Ramsay continued to play a crucial role in the conduct of the Second World War - the invasion of Sicily in 1943 was successful in large part due to his vision, and he had a key role in the planning and execution of the D-Day invasion - coordinating and commanding the 7,000 ships that delivered the invasion force onto the beaches of Normandy. All this from a man who had actually retired in 1938, after forty years in the Navy. He was persuaded out of retirement by Winston Churchill in 1939, however he was not reinstated on the Active List until April 1944, at which point he was promoted to Admiral and appointed Naval Commander-in-Chief for the D-Day naval expeditionary force. Dying in a mysterious air crash in 1945, Ramsay's legacy has been remembered by the Royal Navy but his key role in the Allied victory has been widely forgotten. After the war ended his achievements ranked alongside those of Sir Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke, Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery and General Dwight Eisenhower, yet he never received the public recognition he deserved. Brian Izzard's new biography of Ramsay puts him and his work back centre-stage, arguing that Ramsay was the mastermind without whom the outcome of both Dunkirk and D-Day - and perhaps the entire war - could have been very different.