On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history, known as the Normandy landings or Operation Overlord. This marked the beginning of the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-west Europe during World War II. Key events of D-Day:
- The invasion began shortly after midnight with an airborne assault, dropping 24,000 American, British, and Canadian troops behind enemy lines in northern France.
- Around 06:30 AM, the main amphibious landings took place on five beaches along the Normandy coast: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
- Landing troops faced heavy fire from German gun emplacements and obstacles like mines, wooden stakes, metal tripods, and barbed wire.
- The particularly deadly beach was Omaha, with high cliffs and strong German defenses, leading to massive casualties.
- British and Canadian forces managed to secure Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches and fought to clear fortified towns.
- Despite strong resistance, the Allies established beachheads on all five beaches by the end of the day, though some key objectives like Caen were only captured weeks later.
- The operation involved nearly 5,000 landing and assault craft, 289 escort vessels, and 277 minesweepers, with about 160,000 troops crossing the English Channel on that day.
- Allied casualties were at least 10,000, including 4,414 confirmed dead, while German casualties ranged from 4,000 to 9,000.
- The invasion was vital in opening a Western front against Germany and started the push to defeat Nazi forces in Europe.
D-Day was a turning point in World War II, demonstrating the coordination of naval, air, and land forces on an unprecedented scale and beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. The success of D-Day was a major factor in the eventual Allied victory in Europe. This historic event is remembered for the bravery and sacrifice of thousands of soldiers who fought fiercely despite extreme dangers to secure the foothold in Normandy.
