Normandy Invasion

• PRINT
• EMAIL

The Allied invasion (code name, Operation Overlord) of France's Normandy region during World War II began on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). The operation, which landed about 1 million troops by July 1, was under the supreme command of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Germans, unaware of the exact invasion point, had 50 infantry and 10 panzer (tank) divisions dispersed in France and the Low Countries under the command of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt.

For the two months preceding D-Day, British-based aircraft had systematically bombed rail lines, bridges, and airfields on French soil. Throughout the preceding night paratroops were dropped inland to disrupt enemy communications. Naval guns pounded shore installations, and in the early daylight at low tide about 5,000 Allied ships approached the Normandy coastline. The British and Canadians moved in smoothly at the eastern landing points — Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, above Caen — as did the Americans (under Omar Bradley) at Utah Beach, the westernmost landing site. At Omaha Beach, pivot of the landings, American troops securing their bridgehead were met by heavy German gunfire. Within five days 16 Allied divisions had landed in Normandy, and the final drive to liberate Europe was under way.

Louis L. Snyder

Bibliography: Ambrose S. E., D-Day, June 6, 1944 (1994); Astor, G., June Six, Nineteen Ninety-Four (1994); Chandler, D. G., and Collins, J. L., Jr., eds., The D-Day Encyclopedia (1993); D'Este, C., Decision in Normandy (1994); Eisenhower, D. D., Crusade in Europe (1948; repr. 1977); Kershaw, R. J., D-Day (1994); Ryan, C., The Longest Day, 2d ed. (1975; repr. 1994); Wilson, T. A., ed., D-Day (1994).

Heroes of Tuskegee
The U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush honored the Tuskegee Airmen on Thursday with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that Congress gives to heroes who are not in the military. The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American men who joined the Air Force during World War II and flew fighter jets in Europe.

amphibious warfare
Describes amphibious warfare operations and equipment.

Help Students Master Math Facts
Teacher's share tips and activities for helping students master math facts.

LESSON PLAN	Lesson Ideas to Enrich Student Inquiry into the Holocaust Offers an inquiry-based lesson on author's purpose, current events, strong vocabulary, and the role a bystander plays in conflict.
ONLINE ACTIVITY	World War II Remembered Turn history students into historians! From the American Home Front to Anne Frank's story of courage, students can meet real people who lived...