In the early hours of 6 June 1944, as the greatest amphibious invasion in history loomed, a vital and hazardous battle was already unfolding in the darkness east of the Normandy beaches. Scattered by wind, flak, and the uncertainties of night, the men of the British 6th Airborne Division landed far from their drop zones, yet were tasked with objectives upon which the success of the entire invasion depended. While the capture of Pegasus Bridge and the assault on the Merville Battery have become justly famous, they were only part of a far wider, carefully coordinated plan. A third primary objective entailed the destruction of bridges across the River Dives, in a desperate effort to delay and disrupt German counterattacks from the east. With the scattered drops, the well-practised individual plans for each of the five bridges were no longer possible. The subsequent attacks therefore had to rely purely on initiative, improvisation and extraordinary courage.

In Red Devils on D-Day, Neil Barber draws on decades of research, extensive battlefield study, and rare firsthand testimony from the men who were there. He reconstructs, with clarity and authority, the chaos and intensity of those crucial hours, revealing the full scope of the airborne operation and the essential role played not only by paratroopers, but by engineers, and supporting units. Richly illustrated with original photographs and detailed maps, this is both a vivid narrative and a deeply researched study of airborne warfare at its most demanding.

Following the critical acclaim of Pegasus Bridge, Barber delivers a compelling and authoritative account that deepens our understanding of D-Day and ensures that the achievements of the 6th Airborne Division are fully recognised.

From the Publisher

Anyone familiar with Neil Barber and his previous work will already know the extraordinary depth of his research and his remarkable attention to detail. After more than thirty years spent interviewing veterans, uncovering first-hand accounts, and meticulously researching the events of the Second World War, Neil has established himself as one of the leading authorities in the field.

Red Devils on D-Day stands as a powerful tribute to the brave — and often incredibly young — men who took part in one of history’s most daring operations. Richly illustrated with photographs and maps, the book also includes an extensive section of footnotes that forms an essential part of the story and rewards careful reading.

At 448 pages, this is one of Neil’s largest and most comprehensive works to date, and I am immensely proud to play a part in bringing this remarkable book to readers.

Neil will officially launch the book in France at the Merville Battery Museum during the 6 June 2026 D-Day commemorations. Pre-ordered signed copies will be dispatched to readers the week before the commemorations for those unable to attend the launch in France.

Pre-Order now to ensure a signed copy is sent to you on publication

RRP: £35.00 (+ £3.50 UK delivery)

(For those wishing to purchase from outside the UK please contact us for additional delivery costs)

Publication: June 2026
Hardback, 448 pages
Illustrated with Photographs/maps
ISBN: 9781781220283
Price £35.00