The Normandy beaches were chosen by planners because they were within range of air cover, and were less heavily defended than the Pas de Calais, the obvious objective because it was the shortest distance between England and continental Europe, according to U.S. Department of Defense.
Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads protected the flanks, as well as opened up roadways to the interior. Six divisions were to land on the first day; three American, two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one American division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses.
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s D-Day Message
Browse through the next few slides, pick your favorite image and thank our veterans on this anniversary day.
D-Day Images
D-Day Images
American soldiers on a landing craft on their way to the Normandy beaches, during the invasion of Europe. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
D-Day Images
The original public message Dwight D. Eisenhower drafted for in an occasion if D-Day failed. (National Archives photo/ Released)
D-Day Images
Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks with 101st Airborne Division paratroopers before they board airplanes and gliders to take part in a parachute assault into Normandy as part of the Allied Invasion of Europe, D-Day, June 6, 1944. (National Archives photo/Released)
D-Day Images
Soldiers in cargo vehicles move onto a beach in Normandy during the Allied Invasion of Europe, D-Day, June 6, 1944. (U.S. Army photo/Released)
D-Day Images
Soldiers crowd a landing craft on their way to Normandy during the Allied Invasion of Europe, D-Day, June 6, 1944. (U.S. Army photo/Released)
D-Day Images
Boats full of American troops waiting to leave Weymouth, southern England, to take part in Operation Overlord in Normandy, June 1944.
D-Day Images
The British 2nd Army: Royal Marine Commandos of Headquarters, 4th Special Service Brigade, making their way from their landing craft onto ‘Nan Red’ Beach, JUNO Area, at St Aubin-sur-Mer.
D-Day Images
American troops stand by with stores on Omaha Beach after the D-day landings. Click to see this view of Omaha Beach on May 6, 2014, near Vierville sur Mer, France.
D-Day Images
A French armored column passes through the small French town of St Mere Eglise during the Allied invasion of Normandy, getting a warm welcome.
