D-Day Invasion
D-Day InvasionThe Allied joint invasion of Normandy, France was
executed on June 6th, 1944 in order to gain a strategic foothold in
Nazi-occupied Europe, and although "Operation Overlord" was
successful, it came at a high price of more than 9,000 Allied
soldiers being killed or wounded.We will accept nothing less than
full victory. Dwight D. Eisenhower EisenhowerZack SmithOverviewThe
U.S. Air Force and Britains Royal Air Force bombed strategic
transport points (Bridges, and railroads) in France and Belgium, to
prevent German mobilization troops arrived.
The deception plan was successful and Hitler believed the attack
would hit further North.
Thousands of paratroopers were dropped behind German lines the
night before the seaborne landings.
160,000 American, British, and Canadian troops arrive across the
English Channel to launch an amphibious invasion of Normandy,
France.
"Operation Overlord" was ultimately successful and secured the
area to allow further military reinforcements.
(www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/images/d-day-map.gif)
(http://histru.bournemouth.ac.uk/Oral_History/Talking_About_Technology/radar_research/assets/images/invasionroutes.jpg)Nations
InvolvedThe United States, Great Britain, and Canada were the big
three involved.
Further assistance was provided by the Royal Australian Air
Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Royal Norwegian Navy to
provide support for the troop landings.
Local French support was limited to behind-the-lines sabotage
and combat against the occupying Germans.
SignificanceWinning the Battle of Normandy allowed the Allies to
capture a stronghold in Hitler's "Fortress Europe.
It marked the beginning of the liberation of France, and the
beginning of the end of Hitler's regime and his plans for world
domination.
CasualtiesEstimates of the casualties number about 9,000 for the
Allies out of 160,000 initial troops.
Much of the casualties occurred because of Hitler's Atlantic
Wall which consisted of fortified tank turrets, extensive barbed
wire, and hundreds of thousands of mines. German defenses also had
large bunkers, including concrete ones containing machine guns and
high caliber weapons. Their defense also incorporated the cliffs
and hills overlooking the beaches.
(dday.freeservers.com)
(http://www.calaveras.k12.ca.us)The Normandy American Cemetery
and Memorial is a WWII tribute in Normandy, France, that honors
American soldiers who died in Europe.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WW2_Normandy_American_Cemetery_Rain.JPG)