Victory in North Africa was a triumphant beginning but the Allies knew that there was no time to lose. 'Festung Europa' (Fortress Europe) had to be cracked and Operation HUSKY was the bold beginning. As well as a massive seaborne invasion, Roosevelt and Churchill ordered their military commanders Eisenhower, Alexander and Montgomery to initiate a major airborne assault. Unfortunately, as Whiting reveals, those responsible for planning were at loggerheads from the outset. While mercifully the outcome was successful, the immediate results were nearly catastrophic and it took great leadership and acts of bravery to overcome the flaws that underlay the concept.

Thanks to painstaking research, this book reveals not just the errors but the lessons that were learnt the hard way.