80 Years Ago Today: D-Day, June 6, 1944

D-Day, also known as the Normandy Invasion, took place on June 6, 1944, during World War II. It marked the start of the Allied forces’ major offensive against Nazi Germany on the Western Front. The operation, codenamed Operation Overlord, involved extensive planning and coordination among the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations.

On the morning of June 6, approximately 156,000 Allied troops landed on five beachheads in Normandy, France, named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The invasion began with airborne and amphibious assaults, supported by naval bombardments and air attacks. Despite facing strong German defenses, the Allies managed to establish a foothold on all five beaches by the end of the day.

Results:

The success of D-Day was a turning point in World War II. It led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Within a few weeks, the Allies secured the Normandy region and began their advance toward Germany. The operation significantly weakened German forces and opened up a crucial front, which contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945.

Statistics:

Allied Casualties: Estimates vary, but approximately 10,000 Allied troops were killed, wounded, or went missing on D-Day.

Killed: Around 4,414 Allied soldiers were confirmed dead.

Wounded and Missing: The remaining casualties consisted of wounded and missing troops, making up the rest of the estimated 10,000.

German Casualties: The exact number of German casualties is difficult to determine, but estimates range from 4,000 to 9,000 killed, wounded, or missing on D-Day.

D-Day remains one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and a symbol of international cooperation and military strategy.