The Battle of Normandy, also known as Operation Overlord, was a crucial military campaign during World War II. It began on June 6, 1944, with the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy, France, and continued until the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944. Here are the key aspects:
### Planning and Preparation
– **Allied Forces**: The operation was planned and executed by Allied forces, primarily the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with contributions from numerous other nations.
– **Deception**: To mislead the Germans about the landing site, the Allies conducted Operation Bodyguard, a series of deceptive operations suggesting an invasion at Pas de Calais or Norway.
– **Logistics**: The Allies amassed a vast amount of men, equipment, and supplies in southern England. Special equipment, such as the Mulberry harbors and PLUTO (Pipeline Under The Ocean), was developed to support the invasion.
### D-Day Landings (June 6, 1944)
– **Beaches**: The invasion targeted five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Each beach was assigned to different Allied forces:
– **Utah and Omaha**: American forces.
– **Gold**: British forces.
– **Juno**: Canadian forces.
– **Sword**: British forces.
– **Airborne Operations**: Paratroopers from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the British 6th Airborne Division were dropped inland to secure key positions and disrupt German defenses.
### Initial Assault
– **Resistance**: The landings faced varying levels of German resistance. Omaha Beach saw particularly fierce fighting, with high casualties for the American forces.
– **Breakthrough**: Despite initial difficulties, the Allies secured all five beaches by the end of D-Day.
### Consolidation and Expansion
– **Cherbourg**: One of the early objectives was capturing the port of Cherbourg to facilitate the flow of supplies. This was achieved by the end of June, despite heavy German fortifications.
– **Bocage**: The Allies had to contend with the dense hedgerow terrain of the Normandy countryside, which favored German defenders.
### Key Battles
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