Operation Overlord: The Invasion of Fortress Europe

[Voodoo]

I was doing a search for something on Google and happened too come across this site, and it's a very good read for the history buffs here on the forums.

http://www.princeton.edu/~ferguson/adw/d-day.shtml

[enigma]

Does seem like a good article but it does have several mistakes within it, i wouldnt use it as a source for anything.

eg

The Panzer-Lehr divisions are another famous example of the German lack of organization. The Panzer-Lehr divisions were almost the only mobile German force in France. They had large Tiger-class tanks and fast armored motorcycles. They were comprised of crack-SS and Nazi Youth troops and, if used properly, could have sent the Allies into a retreat before they got very far off the beaches. But they weren't used properly because of the fact that they were stationed at Rommel's bases, but could only be released into battle by Hitler himself, who was hundreds of miles away (and asleep) at the time they were needed.
Panzer-Lehr was a single division not multiple divisions (obiously confusing Panzer divisions with this division), and it wasnt a W-SS division (Hitlerjugend was also an SS unit btw).

[Voodoo]

I just checked, You are correct and thanks for pointing it out.

[Hamilkar]

The Panzer-Lehr was a Heer division

And they were wearing litzens on they panzer wraps instead of the skull.
Thats just a small fact:D

[Lordwatson]

Where in the holy hell do you find out about all these unit formations?

I would love to know how the armies were made up and understand their force organisation, but I dont know where to start!

[enigma]

Where in the holy hell do you find out about all these unit formations?

I would love to know how the armies were made up and understand their force organisation, but I dont know where to start!
These links may help you then dude :)

achtung panzer, page showing the strength and make up of a panzer division (http://www.achtungpanzer.com/divis.htm)

Feld Grau (http://www.feldgrau.com/)
(its in english dont worry) Site, shows ranks, divisions etc etc etc of the German Armed forces

7th Armour (http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.paterson/main.htm)
Website showing the strength, structre, regiments, equipment and history of the division, spelling mistakes through iirc but otherwise it does seem like a good resource.

The wiki is your friend too, although not take it for gospel everything it says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki)
wiki ww2 topics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_topics#United_Kingdom)
British divisions during the war, the box to the side, gives brigades, armies and army groups as well (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Divisions_in_World_War_II)
Heer (german Army), Luftwaffe and Waffen SS divisions during the war (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_divisions_in_WWII)

Lee Enfield wiki link, bottom of the page also shows other small arms used by the British (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Enfield)
25 pounder wiki link, bottom of the page shows British arty used during the war (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QF_25_pounder)
Cromwell tank, bottom fo the page also shows the tanks and armoured cars used throughout too (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwell_tank)

Can do simlar searches on wiki for the Germans, however i dont think there are simlar lists at the bottom of articles for american weapons.


Well hope this helps as a start :)

PS: My wanna check out the Axis History Fourm, havnt got a link sorry.
And the battlefront fourms (www.battlefront.com), there for the Combat Mission games and others, but the Combat mission forums and the General forums on the site our full of ww2 subjects (watch out for the in depth sarcasim though).

The research area is also helpful:
link (http://the-proving-grounds.com/research.html)
inc the makeup of Russian divisions and italian armoured divisions, 21st Army Group OOB, histories of different divisions - many panzer divisions etc well worth a look.

Also keep an eye on this forum, were always posting intresting info here.


Edit: you should open up a topic here and ask what your looking for, where you wanna start off etc. Where all bound to be able to help more :)

[DarkCanuck]

good read. a long read though. history seems to be really long; one of its downsides. there are mistakes and discrepencies that are posted above. the artice is just fine for a casual reader.

[Hos]

These links may help you then dude :)

Feld Grau (http://www.feldgrau.com/)
(its in english dont worry) Site, shows ranks, divisions etc etc etc of the German Armed forces


Awesome site! Over 100,000 posts in their forums as well. Nice. Thanks.

[BillSpargo]

Awesome site! Over 100,000 posts in their forums as well. Nice. Thanks.

And several German veterans post on there regularly.