Combining meticulous detail with a forceful account of the action, Morison describes the landings themselves as well as the "dirty work in the dark" that preceded them: deceptions, diversions, commando raids, parachute drops, mine sweepings, air bombing, and naval bombardment.

The eleventh volume in The History of United States Naval Operations in World War II recounts the U.S. Navy's role in the invasion of Normandy the largest and most complicated military operation ever undertaken. Involving more than a million American soldiers, 124,000 sailors, and 427,000 aviators, Operation Neptune-Overlord encompassed five major landings on the coast of Normandy. As Morison shows, the fire curtain provided by the powerful guns of the navy proved to be one of the most valuable trump cards of the Anglo-United States invasion armies.