The History Herald
D Day
All Photos Included Are From My Personal Collection From My Trip To Normandy.
D-Day: The Allied Invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944
It was now time to launch an offensive in Western Europe. It was decided that the invasion would begin by landing a huge army at Normandy on the northwest coast of France. The Allied troops for the invasion were under the command of United States General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The landings would take place on the Normandy coast at five beaches with the code names: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach.
Hours prior to the amphibious landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944 Allied airborne divisions were dropped into German territory to secure the flanks and roads and bridges to be used by the troops after the landings.
To clear a landing for the troops coming ashore a massive naval and air bombardment was launched against German fortifications and troops. Operation Neptune, the naval component of the invasion, in addition to shore bombardment, provided transport for the men and equipment for the invasion and mine sweeping and antisubmarine patrols.
The early morning landings on D-Day met with heavy resistance from German forces, resulting in large numbers of casualties. The most resistance occurred on Omaha Beach. Rough terrain had made the bombardment less effective and heavy seas made the assault more difficult. Many men drowned before reaching the beach.
Despite the resistance of the Germans, the Allied troops fought their way inland. The failure of the Germans to successfully defend Normandy marked the beginning of the defeat of Germany.
CLICK On The Pictures To See The Full Size View.
The Cipher
This was one of the decoding typewriters used. (Taken at Le Memorial de Caen)
Remnant
Remnant of a statue from a church in France after the bombings. (Taken at Le Memorial de Caen)
Surreal
Hitler's suitcase. (Taken at Le Memorial de Caen)
German Gun Emplacement
Longues Sur Mer part of the German Atlantic Wall.
German Gun Emplacement
Longues Sur Mer part of the German Atlantic Wall.
Mulberry
Part of the "Mulberries" the artificial harbor. (Taken at Utah Beach)
BIG GUN
Pictures do not do the immensity of this weapon justice. (Taken at Utah Beach)
Hedgehog
Shapes made from iron I-Beams that were placed on the beaches to prevent landing craft from getting ashore. Ironically, the steel from these were cut up and welded to the front of Allied tanks to be used to cut through the thick hedge rows.
Omaha Beach
If you saw Saving Private Ryan this is it!
Rommel's Asparagus
pikes in the ground to spear Parachutists on landing were known as Rommels Asparagus.
Tetrahedrons
Iron metal shapes used at Omaha beach as obstacles.
American Cemetery
Overlooking Omaha Beach. Again if you saw Saving Private Ryan this was the exact place the beginning was shot. The Captain John Miller portrayed in the movie never existed, but the Private Ryan story is based upon the story of the Niland Brothers, two of whom are buried in the cemetery.
The First Cemetery
On June 8, 1944, the U.S. First Army established the temporary cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II.
Omaha Beach
This is what the American's saw when landing.
Omaha Beach
This is the view the Germans had.
Point e Du Hoc
The pictures of the craters pale in comparison to the actual mammoth size that the are!
Pointe Du Hoc
The location of the site where a group of American soldiers undertook the nearly impossible task of climbing massive cliffs with little equipment during the American invasion of Normandy in 1944.
Pointe Du Hoc
The cliff is still marked with craters from bombs and the Nazi bunkers. It's humbling to stand on the cliff and look down to think of the young men fighting from the beaches below. This is a beautiful spot filled with a remarkable history.