Title: 1944 - D-Day

 

About: The largest amphibious invasion in history is launched by the Allies, who successfully land on the beaches of Normandy, laying the foundations for a further push into Europe.

​

With Hitler’s armies in control of most of mainland Europe, the Allies knew that a successful invasion of the continent was the only way to win the war.  On June 5, 1944 Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history, commenced. On the order of General Eisenhower 6,000 landing craft and ships carrying 176,000 troops began to leave England for the trip to France. That night, 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for drop zones in Normandy.

​

By dawn on June 6, 18,000 parachutists were already on the ground; the land invasions began at 6:30 a.m. The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture Gold, Juno and Sword beaches; so did the Americans at Utah.

 

But the task was much tougher at Omaha beach, where the Germans were dug in with strong beach defences. 2,000 troops were lost and it was only through the tenacity and bravery of troops on the ground that the objective was achieved. By day’s end, 155,000 Allied troops – Americans, British and Canadians – had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.

​

The German's had suffered from confusion and a lack of decisiveness in defensive strategies, counter-attacks and deployment of reinforcements. As a result, the Allied troops were able to push out from the beaches and start a bloody campaign to regain the towns and countryside of northern France, before struggling on in their battle to liberate the rest of western Europe.

​

​

Decade: 1940s

Year: 1944

Region: Europe

Country: France + Germany + UK + USA + Canada

Conflict: World War II

​

​

Type: Historical Event

Impact: 8

Artist: Fernando Nunez

​

_____________________________________________________________________

​

Group: Genesis

Number: 44/100

Price: 0.8 ETH

​

_____________________________________________________________________

​