June 6, 1944

 

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the Normandy Invasion, also known as D-Day, which involved landing troops on the beaches of Normandy, France, during World War II. This marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from German occupation. 

Key aspects of D-Day:

• Operation Overlord:

The invasion was part of a larger plan codenamed Operation Overlord, aiming to liberate Europe from Nazi control. 

• Landing Beaches:

Allied troops, including American, British, and Canadian forces, landed on five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. 

• Massive Seaborne Invasion:

D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history, with over 150,000 Allied troops landing on the beaches. 

• Airborne Assault:

Paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines to secure key objectives, including bridges and airfields, before the main assault. 

• Heavy Fighting:

The landings were met with fierce German resistance, resulting in heavy casualties. 

• Turning Point:

D-Day is considered a turning point in World War II, as it opened a new front in Western Europe and began the liberation of occupied territories. 

• Continued Operations:

After D-Day, the Allies continued to expand their beachhead and push inland, eventually liberating northern France by August 1944.

On June 6, 1944, D-Day:

• Allied Casualties: The National D-Day Memorial estimates that 4,414 Allied personnel were killed on D-Day. Of those, 2,501 were Americans. 
• German Casualties: While the precise number of German casualties on D-Day is unknown, estimates range from 4,000 to 9,000. 
• Wounded: In addition to those killed, over 5,000 Allied troops were wounded.