THE Daily Echo this week launches a commemorative look at the south’s role in one of the most significant operations in military history.

Operation Overlord, the Allies' assault on German forces in northern France, changed the nature of the Second World War.

It was masterminded in Hampshire and launched 75 years ago on June 6, 1944 – D-Day – from along the south coast.

On Friday, the Echo will publish a special D-Day 75 commemorative book examining the region’s pivotal role in the operation.

It will focus on first-hand accounts from some of the troops who stormed the beaches.

Pilots and other military personnel also tell of their involvement, and there is a look at how Churchill, Eisenhower and Montgomery prepared and galvanised the force that changed history.

The book goes on sale on Friday in newsagents across Dorset. It can also be ordered online at https://adbooker.bournemouthecho.co.uk/store/item/?i=901 or over the phone at 0800 731 4900.

Priced at just £1.50, 15p from each sale will be donated to an armed forces charity.

Vendors include:

Bournemouth

Hengistbury Post Office, Broadway

Phillips News, Christchurch Road

Columbia News, Columbia Road, Ensbury Park

Tuckton News, Tuckton Road

Deardens, Wimborne Road, Winton

Stafford News, Wimborne Road, Northbourne

The Fair Trader, Westbourne Arcade, Poole Road

Clutterbucks, Seabourne Road

Bradpole Road Post Office, Castle Lane West

Bermet Ltd, Wimborne Road

East Cliff News, Lansdowne House, Christchurch Road

Boscombe News, Christchurch Road

Star Stores, Charminster Avenue

Main News, Commercial Road

Southcote News, Southcote Road

Co-op, Wimborne Road

Chaos Corner, Ashley Road

One Stop Bear Cross, Anchor Road

Central Convenience Stores, Seamoor Road, Westbourne

Central Convenience Stores, Cunningham Crescent

Poole

Anesh Ltd, Blandford Road, Hamworthy

Oakdale Post Office, Wimborne Road

St Mary’s News, St Mary’s Road

Candychoccybar, Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone

Five Star Convenience, Sea View Road, Parkstone

Lawtons News, Ashley Road, Parkstone

Court Stores, Sandbanks Road, Parkstone

Broadstone News, Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone

Ashley News, Ashley Road

CJ Stores, Winston Avenue, Branksome

McColls, Neighbourhood Centre, Culliford Crescent

McColls, Dolphin Centre

Martins, Dolphin Centre

McColls, The Parade, Waterloo

Co-op, Good Road, Parkstone

Co-op, Ashley Roa, Parkstone

Co-op, Poole Road, Upton

Christchurch & new forest

Christchurch News, High Street

Town Common, St Catherine’s Parade, Fairmile Road

Premier, High Street

Bury’s News Food & Wine, Mudeford

Nisa Local, Marlow Drive, St Catherine’s Hill

Burton News & Stores, Salisbury Road, Burton

Ludlams of Highcliffe, Lymington Road

Moorland News & Wine, Ringwood Road, Bransgore

Stour Road Stores, Stour Road

Bashley Village Stores, Bashley Road, New Milton

Morrisons, Mallard Buildings, Station Road, New Milton

Martins, Station Road, New Milton

Purbeck

Horseys, North Street, Wareham

Swanage Newagents, Station Road, Swanage

The Sweet Shop, The Square, Corfe Castle

Langton Village Stores, High Street, Langton Matravers

Budgens, Station Road, Swanage

Co-op, King’s Road West, Swanage

Swanage News, Victoria Avenue, Swanage

East Dorset

Culverhill Retail, Sopwith Crescent, Merley

Leigh Park Stores, Gordon Road, Wimborne

Victoria Road News & Cards, Victoria Road, Ferndown

Spar, Ameysford Road, Ferndown

T&S Newsmarket, Leigh Road, Wimborne

SAM News, Wimborne Road East, Ferndown

Cranbourne Stores, The Square, Cranborne

Morrisions, Chilton Drive, Verwood

Co-op, Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen