D-Day

The greatest seaborne invasion in history.

Operation Overlord began on June 6, 1944

More than 150 000 US, British, & Canadian soldiers crossed the English Channel to invade Normandy on the coast of France

Two phases were planned

1. Air Assault – Canadian, US and British paratroopers (12 midnight)

2. Amphibious Assault – Canadian, US and British armored divisions on the coast of France (6:30am)

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Allied Invasion Plan

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The Beaches:

United States – Utah

and Omaha Beaches

Great Britain – Sword

and Gold Beaches

Canada – Juno Beach

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Paratroopers

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Amphibious Landings:

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The attack began when allied planes and warships bombed German positions along France’s coast.

6,000 ships joined the attack. They were

supported by over 11,000 planes. The naval force crossed the channel overnight.

At 6:30am troops started to land on the beaches

of Normandy. By the end of D-Day the allies had put 156,000

troops ashore in Normandy

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Juno Beach

The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed on Juno Beach.

14 000 Canadians landed.

340 died on the beach

574 wounded

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Omaha Beach 3000 US troops died on the first day

of the invasion.

“We will accept nothing less than full

victory.”

-Dwight Eisenhower

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Two hours after the attack at Juno Beach, Canada had established the beachhead at Juno.

“The Longest Day” was a success for the Canadians.

By end of July, allies had

1 000 000 men in Europe marching towards Germany.

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