Normandy landings

The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944, of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of German-occupied France (and later western Europe) and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.

Planning

The planning for the Normandy landings began in 1943. The Allies conducted a substantial military deception, codenamed Operation Bodyguard, to mislead the Germans as to the date and location of the main Allied landings. The weather on D-Day was far from ideal, and the operation had to be delayed 24 hours; a further postponement would have meant a delay of at least two weeks, as the planners had requirements for the phase of the moon, the tides, and the time of day that meant only a few days each month were deemed suitable.

Landings

The amphibious landings were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment and an airborne assault—the landing of 24,000 American, British, and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France at 06:30. The target 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast was divided into five sectors: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach.

Aftermath

The Allies failed to achieve their goals on the first day. Caen, a major objective, was still in German hands at the end of D-Day, and the beachhead was only tenuously held. However, the Germans were unable to drive the Allies back into the sea, and their counter-attacks were hampered by the effective Allied air and naval support. The Allies gradually expanded their foothold over the coming weeks, and by the end of June, the Allies had seized the vital port of Cherbourg and had landed approximately 850,000 men and 150,000 vehicles in Normandy.

Legacy

The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe. They have been the subject of many films, television shows, and books, and are remembered annually on 6 June, known as D-Day.

References

• Stephen E. Ambrose, D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II
• Antony Beevor, D-Day: The Battle for Normandy

External links

• D-Day Overlord
• D-Day Museum