MILLIONS of words have been written about D-Day, and it has featured in many films and TV programmes.

It may seem there is little more to say about one of the most famous battles in history, but a Teignmouth author has come up with a new angle.

With the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings looming next week, Simon Forty has just published a new book, D-Day UK, emphasising the UK elements of the invasion.

And his home town has also been included. ‘Usually the attention of D-Day anniversary celebrations is fixed on the other side of the channel. My book chooses 100 locations that show how important the UK’s role was,’ he said.

Teignmouth suffered death and destruction during the war – for its size probably the most bombed town in the country – but its role in D-Day was limited, although hundreds of American troops were stationed there.

It is given a mention, however, and there are two photos of defences on the seafront and at Labrador Bay.

Neighbouring Torquay and Brixham rate major entries, along with the Exe Bridges and Exeter Airport.

The book outlines the lesser-known history of the D-Day preparations in Britain, which led to the huge turning point during World War II – from the people who ran the operation, the intense training undertaken by soldiers, to the remarkable air and sea operations.

The attack on June 6, 1944 was just the tip of the iceberg.

Simon details the years of meticulous planning that took place nationwide by the allied forces.

While the focus of historians has understandably been on the battle itself, with the vast casualties on the beaches, with the remarkably heroic stories that were written in blood, sand and shingle, D-Day UK shines a light on the sacrifices made by those men and women who prepared the way in the UK for the landings.

Simon unveils the intricacies of the UK’s pivotal role in the D-Day preparations in the lavishly illustrated book.

D-Day UK shows, for the first time, the locations in Britain which were instrumental to the four years of military planning.

From Dorset’s Studland Bay, Achnacarry in the Scottish Highlands to Bristol’s Clifton College, the book combines striking black and white archival images with colour shots of the locations today.

The 100 locations chosen are a small collection of those places in Britain that were involved.

Simon’s daughter Elly, is a book designer and designed the book and cover. D-Day UK is available through the website of the publisher (Historic England), from Amazon and bookshops.