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World War Two -- Battle of Normandy
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D-Day: The Allied Invasion of Normandy
June 6, 1944
When Operation Overlord, the Allied Invasion of Normandy to liberate Western Europe, was launched on D-Day, June 6, 1944, the bloody war in Europe had been going on for five years. By 1944 the Soviets were advancing through Eastern Europe and Italy had been liberated. France, which had been invaded by Germany in 1940, was still occupied by the Nazis, as were the Low Countries.
It was now time to launch an offensive in Western Europe. It was decided that the invasion would begin by landing a huge army at Normandy on the northwest coast of France. The Allied troops for the invasion were under the command of United States General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The landings would take place on the Normandy coast at five beaches with the code names: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach.
Hours prior to the amphibious landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944 Allied airborne divisions were dropped into German territory to secure the flanks and roads and bridges to be used by the troops after the landings.
To clear a landing for the troops coming ashore a massive naval and air bombardment was launched against German fortifications and troops. Operation Neptune, the naval component of the invasion, in addition to shore bombardment, provided transport for the men and equipment for the invasion and minesweeping and antisubmarine patrols.
The early morning landings on D-Day met with heavy resistance from German forces, resulting in large numbers of casualties. The most resistance occurred on Omaha Beach. Rough terrain had made the bombardment less effective and heavy seas made the assault more difficult. Many men drowned before reaching the beach.
Despite the resistance of the Germans, the Allied troops fought their way inland. The failure of the Germans to successfully defend Normandy marked the beginning of the defeat of Germany.
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