History: D-Day

1. Background: Why D-Day happened

• By 1944, the Allies wanted to liberate Western Europe from German occupation.

• Goal: establish a foothold in France to begin pushing Germany back.

• Planning involved months of preparation:

  • Gathering troops and equipment

  • Creating fake operations to confuse Germany (Operation Bodyguard)

  • Deciding on where to land on the Normandy coast

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT:
D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history.

2. Planning and location

• Date: June 6, 1944

• Beaches of Normandy, France – divided into sectors:

  • Utah (U.S.)

  • Omaha (U.S.)

  • Gold (British)

  • Juno (Canada)

  • Sword (British)

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT:
Canada’s forces landed at Juno Beach and played a key role in breaking German defenses.

3. Execution

• Troops: Over 156,000 Allied soldiers

• Ships: 5,000+ ships and landing craft

• Planes: 11,000 aircraft for bombing, transport, and supply drops

• Challenges faced:

  • Heavy German fortifications (the “Atlantic Wall”)

  • Rough seas and strong currents

  • Intense enemy fire

• Results during the landing:

  • Despite heavy resistance, Allies secured the beaches

  • Advanced inland to connect the beachheads

  • Juno Beach (Canada) suffered high casualties but achieved objectives

4. Significance

• D-Day marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe

• Opened a Western Front, forcing Germany to fight on two fronts (West and East)

• Boosted Allied morale and proved that massive coordinated operations could succeed

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT:
D-Day was the turning point in Western Europe, setting up the eventual defeat of Germany.