DDay June 6 1944 Who was involved in

D-Day June 6, 1944

Who was involved in D-Day? United States VS. Britain Canada Germany

Before the Invasion In the days leading up to the main invasion, Allied planes bombed the Atlantic Wall defenses all along the coast of France Pictures of Allied bombing damage at Pointe du Hoc, France

Before the Invasion The night before the invasion, Allied troops parachuted behind enemy lines in France They tried to destroy railroad lines and disrupt communication General Eisenhower speaking to airborne troops on the evening before the invasion

What Happened? On June 6, 1944 more than 150, 000 Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel They attacked the German military along a 60 mile stretch of the coast in Normandy, France. US troops in a Higgins landing craft approaching the coast of Normandy

What Happened? British, American, and Canadian troops sailed from different ports in Great Britain and attacked the Germans together on five different beaches in Normandy, France

What Happened? Soldiers faced intense opposition from the Germans when they landed

What Happened? Many men were killed or injured before they even reached the beaches US troops take shelter behind German “hedgehogs. ” The obstacles were designed to prevent Allied landing craft from getting too close to the shores of France.

Why Did It Happen? The Allies wanted to free France from German control They had to first conquer the coast of France so that they could then liberate western Europe and defeat Hitler

How Did It Affect The War? D-Day was the beginning of the end of the war in Europe The Allies were able to liberate France from German control after several months of fighting

Images courtesy of: Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum http: //www. eisenhower. archives. gov/index. html United States Army: D-Day http: //www. army. mil/d-day/index. html United States National Archives http: //www. archives. gov/