Churchill's D-Day
Join us to celebrate the launch of Churchill’s D-Day: The Inside Story, told through a ground-breaking collaboration between Allen Packwood, a world-renowned expert on Winston Churchill, and General Lord Richard Dannatt, a former Chief of the General Staff and member of the House of Lords.
Learn about Churchill's role in the planning and execution of D-Day and 'Operation Overlord', have your questions answered and take the opportunity to have your copy of Churchill’s D-Day: The Inside Story signed by the authors.
Following the talk, take the opportunity to explore Churchill War Rooms. From the Map Room where numerous operations were planned, to Churchill's bedroom, from which he made some of his most famous speeches.
About Allen Packwood
Allen Packwood is a Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, and the Director of the Churchill Archives Centre.
He is a qualified archivist and was co-curator of Churchill and the Great Republic, a Library of Congress exhibition and Churchill: The Power of Words, a display at the Morgan Library in New York. One of the foremost experts on Winston Churchill, his work takes him around the world.
About General Lord Richard Dannatt
General Lord Richard Dannatt is a retired Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army. Now an independent member of the House of Lords, Lord Dannatt is a valued and outspoken commentator on security issues and national defence.
He is Chairman of Trustees of the British Normandy Memorial, which will be the focus of the 2024 commemoration activities.
About the Book
Together Allen Packwood and Richard Dannatt take us through Churchill’s decision-making for the planning and execution of D-Day. Reproducing key documents and letters from the Churchill Papers and other collections, this book tells the inside story of the conception, planning and execution of the D-Day landings in a unique but authoritative way.
'Operation Overlord', the liberation of France, which brought the Second World War to its final stages, began just after dawn on 6 June 1944. At the time, it was the largest amphibious operation ever staged, and the road to victory led directly from the beaches to Berlin.
Churchill was instrumental in its planning and execution. This book reveals Churchill's thinking and places his decisions in the wider historical context, showing how he helped secure the success of D-Day, by making sure it occurred in the right way and at the right time.
About Your Ticket
As a charity, your IWM In Conversation ticket purchase helps IWM continue to tell stories for future generations.
Tickets cost just £20 per person (including IWM members) and include:
- Allen Packwood and Richard Dannatt's talk within the impressive surroundings of Churchill War Rooms
- A special Q&A, ask your own questions and join the conversation
- The talk culminates in a book signing and a personal meet and greet with Alan Packwood and Richard Dannatt
- Then enjoy exclusive after-hours entry to the Churchill War Rooms.
In addition to your ticket booking, if you can, please purchase your copy of Churchill's D-Day: The Inside Story from our IWM pop-up shop on the evening. Every purchase you make supports the work we do.
About Churchill War Rooms
Following the talk, take the chance to explore Churchill War Rooms, which houses the underground nerve centre where the British government directed the Second World War, including the rooms where strategic decisions regarding the D-Day landings were made.
Walk the once top-secret corridors and follow in the footsteps of the men and women who worked here during Britain's darkest hours, see personal effects left untouched for decades, and explore the life of one of Britain's most formidable figures.
