D-DAY

By Robin Itzler

In 1942 the Battle of Midway, between the United States and Japan, began and lasted until June 7.  It was a turning point in the war in the Pacific, and Japan’s first major defeat, and it was almost exactly two years before the allies could mount that major offensive in Europe called.... Operation Overlord.   

On Tuesday, June 6, 1944, Americans awoke to learn that Allied forces had landed at Normandy, France. It was a combined naval, air and land assault on five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. There was immense loss of life, but at the day’s end, the Allies succeeded in obtaining a foothold along the coast and began liberating the world from Nazi Germany tyranny. 

Some D-Day facts:

• The “D” in D-Day stands for day.  
• It was originally supposed to take place on Monday, June 5; however, it was postponed one day due to inclement weather.
• “Operation Bodyguard” was a deception that successfully convinced the Germans that the attack would take place at Pas-de-Calais, not in northwestern France. This meant many German troops were NOT in Normandy when the invasion took place.
• More than 160,000 Allied troops were involved in the landing; 83,000 were British and 73,000 were American.
• Of the reported 7,000 ships and landing craft, 80 percent came from Great Britain and nearly 17 percent from the United States.
• Approximately 11,000 Allied aircraft participated in the landings.
• · Hitler was getting his beauty rest at Wolf’s Lair when the call came at 4 AM about the landing. Fearful about waking the Führer, they waited for him to wake up. In the meantime, German troops were not sure what to do, until hours later. Those precious hours immensely helped the Allies.
• Casualties: - United States 8,230 - United Kingdom 2,700 - Canada 1,074 

Source: War History Online