D-Day

 D- Day by ric gustafson

On this date June 6 1944, land, air and sea forces of the Allied armies landed in France.  The operation was called Overlord. It was the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Five naval assault divisions converged on the beaches of Normandy France. The beaches were given code names. They were Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft. Also 195,000 naval personnel and 133,000 troops from eight Allied countries. The buildup to Overlord was highly coordinated.

General Dwight D Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Overlord. The Germans were expecting the landing to take place in the Pas de Calais region because that was were the English Channel was the narrowest. The invasion was an airborne assault and amphibious landings. Allied air forces flew over 14.000 sorties in support of the landings. 

Before daybreak on June 6, thousands of paratroopers and glider troops were already behind enemy lines. At 6:30 am, the amphibious invasion began. Gold, Juno, Sword and Utah were taken pretty easily. Omaha Beach was a different story. It was heavily defended. It was a bloody fight with over 2000 American casualties. At the end of the day, 156,000 Allied troops had successfully landed.

Hitler's vaunted Atlantic Wall lasted less than 24 hours.

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Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric