French Freedom Papers

D-day

            Many deceptions and strategic planning led to the invasion of Normandy on June 6th 1944, also known as D-Day. Initially it was scheduled to be on June 5th by General Eisenhower. However, due to inclement weather it was postponed. When the forecast indicated improved weather conditions for the next day, the General gave his motivational speech and the green light for the troops to embark on the Operation. By dawn on D-Day, thousands of paratroopers and glider troops were boots on ground providing security behind the enemy lines. The amphibious (troops landed from the sea) assault started at 6:30 AM. As a result, the British and Canadian troops were able to seized beaches codenamed Gold, Juno, and Sword, as were the Americans at Utah Beach. Unfortunately, heavy resistance caused the death of over two thousand troops at Omaha Beach.
            However, later that same day over one hundred and fifty thousand Allied troops landed on five Beaches along the heavily fortified coast of Normandy. The invasion was taken lightly because Hitler was under the impression that it was fake and was used as mean of distracting the Germans to keep them from attacking the North of the Seine River. Because of that he failed to provide support for a counterattack of the Operation. When the Germans finally decide to call for reinforcements, Allied Air and Naval support caused them many delays and detours due to the destruction of their key bridges, in order to protect advancing Allied troops.
            By the end of June the vital port Cherbourg was seized by Allied troops, the operation continued their march across France, and Allied troops arrived at Seine River, liberated Paris, and removed the Germans from Northwestern France. That was the end of the Battle of Normandy.
 
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day
 






 

Contents of this tag: