The Normandy Invasion

1. The Normandy Invasion 06-06-1944

2. Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower: General Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. He was in charge of all of the allied forces that would assault the Normandy coast and Europe for the remainder of the war. Eisenhower made the final call to go ahead with the mission after days of poor weather. Eisenhower personally visited troops before the invasion and issued the letter to the left.

3. Commanders Erwin Rommel Rommel along with Von Rundstedt were the commanders of German forces in the Normandy Region. Rommel was one of the German’s most famous generals. In charge of developing coastal defense as part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. His preparation was key to what would occur if the allies decided to invade at Normandy. The fortifications that were developed as part of his plan caused the lives of many of the invading Allied soldiers.

4. Airborne Forces American Airborne Forces were comprised of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Including the British 1st Airborne Division nearly 12,000 soldiers were dropped in the early morning of June 6th. Their objectives were to take and hold key road junctions to prevent German counterattack. Though suffering losses and being greatly miss-dropped across the Normandy region the Airborne troopers were able to succeed in many of their objectives. Though, some were so lost that they did not meet up with their units until two to three days after the invasion.

5. Through the Eyes of a Veteran June 6th with the 82nd Airborne Bud Ollman 505th PIR 82nd Airborne Miss-dropped in Normandy and found himself alone for much of the night. Made every combat jump with the 82nd during ww2. Wounded during the battle of the bulge. Received a silver star during the holland campaign. Picture taken at Charles City WW2 reenactment.

6. Through the Eyes of a Veteran Hans Sanas 502nd PIR 101st Airborne Division Fought with the 101st throughout Europe and as seen in this picture from the national archives met General Eisenhower before taking off for Normandy.

7. INVASION BEACHES Utah Omaha Gold Juno sword The brunt of the invasion force came to France aboard Higgins boats and landed at code named beaches. The most intense fighting of the invasion occurred at Omaha beach.

8. Omaha Beach 6:30 a.m.

9. Omaha beach The fighting at Omaha Beach was the bloodiest of the invasion. The American 1st, and 29th Infantry Divisions made the first assault across the beach. The 2nd Ranger Battalion also landed at Omaha. After the beach head had been established American losses neared 3,000.

10. Utah Beach Confused by smoke the landing craft delivered to the wrong spot on the beach. The fighting at Utah Beach was much lighter than any other invasion beach. American 4th Infantry Division carried out the assault and lost just over 900 men. Lowest casualties of any beach.

11. Aftermath Though the losses were great in taking and holding the coastline on June 6th, the Allied armies were able to secure a beachhead and proceed inland. By June 11th, or D+5, the Allied military strength in Normandy had reached 326,000 troops. From here the Allied forces would move through Europe in a trail of liberation.