D-Day: The Unheard Tapes

Powerful Eye-witness Accounts of The Battle for Normandy 1944

By: Geraint Jones

Narrated by: Justin Avoth, Geraint Jones

This audiobook includes archived recordings from interviews taken with Second World War soldiers, as well as an Introduction and Epilogue read by the author.

A powerful, immersive account published for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and battle for Normandy, and tied into the groundbreaking BBC2 documentary series D-Day: The Unheard Tapes.

D-Day was bloody, chaotic and frequently terrifying. Its outcome was far from certain. And at its epicentre were tens of thousands of young men, many seeing their first active service. It was a single day that changed millions of lives. A critical turning point of the Second World War.

Using audio interviews from the archives of the Imperial War Museum and National World War II Museum, this immersive oral history describes what it was actually like to take part in the landings on 6 June 1944 and the weeks of ferocious fighting in Normandy that followed. British, American, Canadian and German veterans, as well as French civilians, speak of experiences they could never forget.

Stories include the forward observer hiding alone on Omaha beach, thinking of his wife as he waits to bring down fire on the German defenders. The commando racing to Pegasus Bridge. The Typhoon pilot who is about to be shot by the SS when he is saved by a Luftwaffe officer. The injured tank driver who risks his life to save five other crews. The German soldier haunted by the fact he was forced to abandon his dying friend.

In D-Day The Unheard Tapes Geraint Jones has skilfully brought the battle for Normandy to life in a vivid narrative that allows the voices of those who fought to shine through, authentic and unforgettable.

Critic reviews

Vital testimony for those who wish to understand the stark reality of running up a beach with the Wehrmacht trying to kill you (The Telegraph)

The Story Comes Alive!

D-Day was one of the the key moments of the 20th century and as such has been covered by so many authors, what more could a new book bring to our understanding of the events of that day? Wow! Just wow!! Through the candid words of the participants Geraint Jones brings us the story of D-Day from the commander down to the private in the field. There are so many powerful stories in this book that Mr Jones weaves into an engaging and coherent whole that conveys an understanding of what those events were really like for those that lived them. Simply superb! The book is made even more relevant through the insight the author provides from his service with the British Army. It is an expert retelling of the story of the man in the field from a man who has been in the field.

Justin Avoth's performance was simply mind blowing, I have never heard anything quite like it. The use of accents could have failed dramatically but boy does Justin pull it off! From a County Durham miner, to an aristocratic commanding officer, to a Canadian serviceman, to a Royal Welsh Fusilier they are all convincing and it adds so much character. He conveys a real sense of warm compassion and it adds hugely to the telling of this fabulous story! Bravo sir! I would read more books read by this narrator even if I wasn't interested in the book, he's that good!