Thread: June 6, 1944: The World War II D-Day invasion of Normandy, France

D-Day - June 6, 1944 - the United States Army

www.army.mil/d-day

The U.S. Army remembers June 6, 1944: The World War II D-Day invasion of Normandy, France.

Slideshow ·

Invasion Descriptions ·

Order of Battle

http://www.army.mil/d-day/

http://www.alipac.us/f19/battlefield...e-gulf-287333/

Order of Battle for the Normandy Campaign

US First Army

1. 1. XII Corps
2. 2. XV Corps

US Third Army

1. 1. V Corps
2. 2. VII Corps
3. 3. VIII Corps
4. 4. XIX Corps

Armored Divisions

1. 1. 2nd Armored Division (2 July)
2. 2. 3rd Armored Division (9 July)
3. 3. 4th Armored Division (28th July)
4. 4. 5th Armored Division (2 August)
5. 5. 6th Armored Division (28th July)
6. 6. 7th Armored Division (14 August)
7. 7. 2nd French Armored Division (1 August)

Airborne Divisions

1. 1. 82nd Airborne Division (6 June)
2. 2. 101st Airborne Division (6 June)

Infantry Divisions

1. 1. 1st Infantry Div (6 June)
2. 2. 2nd Infantry Div (8 June)
3. 3. 4th Infantry Div (6 June)
4. 4. 5th Infantry Div (16 July)
5. 5. 8th Infantry Div (8 July)
6. 6. 9th Infantry Div (14 June)
7. 7. 28th Infantry Div (27 July)
8. 8. 29th Infantry Div(7 June)
9. 9. 30th Infantry Div (15 June)
10. 10. 35th Infantry Div (11 July)
11. 11. 79th Infantry Div (19 June)
12. 12. 80th Infantry Div 8 Aug)
13. 13. 83rd Infantry Div (27 June)
14. 14. 90th Infantry Div (10 June)

Allied Expeditionary Air Forces consisted of the: US Airforce

1. 1. US Ninth Tatical Airforce
2. 2. US Eighth Airforce

Royal Air Force

1. 1. Second Tatical Force

The British 21st Army Group consisted of: The British Second Army

Armored Divisons

1. 1. Guards Armored Div (28 June)
2. 2. 7th Guards Armored Div (8 June)
3. 3. 11th Armored Div (13 June)
4. 4. 79th Armored Div (Specialized Armor 6 June)

Airborne Divisions

1. 1. 6th Airborne Div (6 June)

Infantry Divisions

1. 1. 3rd Infantry Div (6 June)
2. 2. 15th Infantry Div (Scottish 14 June)
3. 3. 43rd Infantry Div (Wessex 24 June)
4. 4. 49th Infantry Div (West Riding 6 June)
5. 5. 50th Infantry Div (Northumbrian 6 June)
6. 6. 51st Infantry Div (Highland 6 June)
7. 7. 53rd Infantry Div (Welsh 27 June)
8. 8. 59th Infantry Div (Staffordshire 27 June)

Canadian and Polish Forces attached to the British Army:

1. 1. 4th Canadian Armored Div
2. 2. 1st Polish Armored Div
3. 3. 2nd Canadian Div
4. 4. 3rd Canadian Infantry Div

D-Day Airborne and Beach Assault

The Normandy beaches were chosen by planners because they lay within range of air cover, and were less heavily defended than the obvious objective of the Pas de Calais, the shortest distance between Great Britain and the Continent. Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads were to protect the flanks, as well as open up roadways to the interior. Six divisions were to land on the first day; three U.S., two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one U.S. division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses.
Disorganization, confusion, incomplete or faulty implementation of plans characterized the initial phases of the landings. This was especially true of the airborne landings which were badly scattered, as well as the first wave units landing on the assault beaches. To their great credit, most of the troops were able to adapt to the disorganization. In the end, the Allies achieved their objective.
Airborne Assault

The AIRBORNE ASSAULT into Normandy as part of the D-Day Allied invasion of Europe was the largest use of airborne troops up to that time. Paratroopers of the U.S. 82d and 101st Airborne divisions, the British 6th Airborne Division, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and other attached Allied units took part in the assault. Numbering more than 13,000 men, the paratroopers were flown from bases in southern England to the Cotentin Peninsula in approximately 925 C-47 airplanes. An additional 4,000 men, consisting of glider infantry with supporting weapons and medical and signal units, were to arrive in 500 gliders later on D-Day to reinforce the paratroopers. The parachute troops were assigned what was probably the most difficult task of the initial operation -- a night jump behind enemy lines five hours before the coastal landings.
To protect the invasion zone's western extremity and to facilitate the "Utah" landing force's movement into the Cotentin Peninsula, the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions descended on the peninsula by parachute and glider in the early hours of D-Day. The paratroopers were badly scattered. Many were injured and killed during the attack, and much of their equipment was lost. But the brave paratroopers fought fiercely, causing confusion among the German commanders and keeping the Germans troops occupied. Their efforts, hampered by harsh weather, darkness and disorganization, and initiative of resourceful soldiers and leaders, ensured that the UTAH BEACH assault objectives were eventually accomplished. The British and Canadian attacks also accomplished their primary goal of securing the left flank of the invasion force.
Utah Beach

UTAH BEACH was added to the initial invasion plan almost as an afterthought. The allies needed a major port as soon as possible, and UTAH BEACH would put VII (U.S.) Corps within 60 kilometers of Cherbourg at the outset. The major obstacles in this sector were not so much the beach defenses, but the flooded and rough terrain that blocked the way north.
Omaha Beach

OMAHA BEACH linked the U.S. and British beaches. It was a critical link between the Contentin peninsula and the flat plain in front of Caen. Omaha was also the most restricted and heavily defended beach, and for this reason at least one veteran U.S. Division (lst) was tasked to land there. The terrain was difficult. Omaha beach was unlike any of the other assault beaches in Normandy. Its crescent curve and unusual assortment of bluffs, cliffs and draws were immediately recognizable from the sea. It was the most defensible beach chosen for D-Day; in fact, many planners did not believe it a likely place for a major landing. The high ground commanded all approaches to the beach from the sea and tidal flats. Moreover, any advance made by U.S. troops from the beach would be limited to narrow passages between the bluffs. Advances directly up the steep bluffs were difficult in the extreme. German strong points were arranged to command all the approaches and pillboxes were sited in the draws to fire east and west, thereby enfilading troops while remaining concealed from bombarding warships. These pillboxes had to be taken out by direct assault. Compounding this problem was the allied intelligence failure to identify a nearly full-strength infantry division, the 352nd, directly behind the beach. It was believed to be no further forward than St. Lo and Caumont, 20 miles inland.
V (U.S.) Corps was assigned to this sector. The objective was to obtain a lodgment area between Port-en-Bessin and the Vire River and ultimately push forward to St. Lo and Caumont in order to cut German communications (St. Lo was a major road junction). Allocated to the task were 1st and 29th (U.S.) Divisions, supported by the 5th Ranger Battalion and 5th Engineer Special Brigade.
Gold Beach

GOLD BEACH was the objective of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division of the British 2nd Army. Its primary task was to seize Arrolnanches (future site of a Mulberry) and drive inland to seize the road junction at Bayeux, as well as contact U.S. forces on their right and Canadians on their left. The initial opposition was fierce, but the British invasion forces broke through with relatively light casualties and were able to reach their objectives in this sector. A major factor in their success was that the British assault forces were lavishly equipped with armour and "Funnies" of the 79th Armoured Division. The "Funnies" were the specialist vehicles, armed with 290 mm mortars, designed for tasks such as clearing obstacles or minefields and destruction of large fixed fortifications. Perhaps the most famous is the "Flail" tank, which was a Sherman equipped with a large roller to which was attached lengths of chain. These tanks were designed to clear terrain to their front, and detonate mine fields and other booby traps without danger to the tanks or infantry following.
Juno Beach

JUNO BEACH was the landing area for 3rd Canadian Division. The Canadians were very concerned about their role in the invasion (as were most of the planning staff) as the memory of 2nd Canadian Division's destruction at Dieppe was still fresh. But many lessons had been learned, and the 3rd Canadian Division, in spite of heavy opposition at Courselles-sur-Mer, broke through and advanced nearly to their objective, the airfield at Carpiquet, west of Caen. The Canadians made the deepest penetration of any land forces on June 6th, again with moderate casualties.
Sword Beach

SWORD BEACH was the objective of 3rd (British) Infantry Division. They were to advance inland as far as Caen, and line up with British Airborne forces east of the Orne River/Caen Canal. The Orne River bridges had been seized in late at night on the 5th of June by a glider-borne reinforced company commanded by Maj. John Howard. As at the other beaches, British forces penetrated quite a ways inland after breaking the opposition at water's edge. Unfortunately, the objective of Caen was probably asking too much of a single infantry division, especially given the traffic jams and resistance encountered further inland. 1st Special Service (Commando) brigade commanded by Lord Lovat, linked up in the morning with Howard's force at Pegasus bridge on the British left. Fierce opposition from the 2lst Panzer and later the 12th SS Panzer division prevented the British from reaching Caen on the 6th. Indeed, Caen was not taken until late June.

United States Army Divisions in the Normandy Campaign


1st Infantry Division

Division Website

2nd Infantry Division

Division Website

4th Infantry Division

Division Website

5th Infantry Division


8th Infantry Division


9th Infantry Division


28th Infantry Division

Division Website

29th Infantry Division


30th Infantry Division


35th Infantry Division


79th Infantry Division


83rd Infantry Division


90th Infantry Division


2nd Armored Division


3rd Armored Division


4th Armored Division


6th Armored Division


82nd Airborne Division

Division Website

101st Airborne Division

Division Website

General Eisenhower’s Message Sent Just Prior to the Invasion

Listen to General Eisenhower’s Message Below (click the ‘play’ arrow to begin the message) http://www.army.mil/d-day/message.html

Transcript:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

-- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Invasion of Normandy


en.wikipedia.org

• The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Western Allied for…
• en.wikipedia.org

Related people

• Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Erwin Rommel
• Adolf Hitler

People also search for

• Normandy landings
• Battle of the Bulge
• Battle of Stalingrad

After much of Europe had been occupied by the Axis powers for four years, the Allies finally launched their campaign to liberate Western Europe, codenamed Operation Overlord, on 6 June 1944. Over three million service personnel were involved and it all hinged on the success of the Normandy Landings on D-Day.

If the German troops were able to prevent the initial landings, the campaign to liberate Western Europe would fail and German occupation would continue for another year.

Join the Allies as they build up to and execute the largest assault landings ever undertaken in the course of human history.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_d_day.shtml



BBC - History - World Wars: Animated Map: The D-Day Landings

Over three million service personnel were involved and it all hinged on the success of the Normandy Landings on D-Day.

BBC News

Animation at the Page Link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwa...ni_d_day.shtml

Surviving D-Day Omaha Beach 1944 (720P)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqfN3kWjGtk

Published on Sep 28, 2013

Omaha Beach | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha_Beach

Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II. The beach is located on the coast of Normandy, France, facing the English Channel, and is 5 miles (8 km) long, from east of Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes to west of Vierville-sur-Mer on the right bank of the Douve River estuary. Landings here were necessary in order to link up the British landings to the east at Gold Beach with the American landing to the west at Utah Beach, thus providing a continuous lodgement on the Normandy coast of the Bay of the Seine. Taking Omaha was to be the responsibility of United States Army troops, with sea transport and naval artillery support provided by the U.S. Navy and elements of the British Royal Navy.

On D-Day, the untested 29th Infantry Division, joined by the veteran 1st Infantry Division and nine companies of U.S. Army Rangers redirected from Pointe du Hoc, were to assault the western half of the beach. The battle-hardened 1st Infantry Division was given the eastern half. The initial assault waves, consisting of tanks, infantry, and combat engineer forces, were carefully planned to reduce the coastal defenses and allow the larger ships of the follow-up waves to land.

The primary objective at Omaha was to secure a beachhead of some five miles (eight kilometres) depth, between Port-en-Bessin and the Vire River, linking with the British landings at Gold Beach to the east, and reaching the area of Isigny to the west to link up with VII Corps landing at Utah Beach. Opposing the landings was the German 352nd Infantry Division, a large portion of whom were teenagers, though they were supplemented by veterans who had fought on the Eastern Front. The 352nd had never had any battalion or regimental training. Of the 12,020 men of the division, only 6,800 were experienced combat troops, detailed to defend a 53-kilometre-long (33-mile) front. The Germans were largely deployed in strongpoints along the coast—the German strategy was based on defeating any seaborne assault at the water line. Nevertheless, Allied calculations indicated that Omaha's defenses were three times as strong as those they had encountered during the Battle of Kwajalein, and its defenders were four times as many.

Very little went as planned during the landing at Omaha Beach. Difficulties in navigation caused the majority of landing craft to miss their targets throughout the day. The defenses were unexpectedly strong, and inflicted heavy casualties on landing US troops. Under heavy fire, the engineers struggled to clear the beach obstacles; later landings bunched up around the few channels that were cleared. Weakened by the casualties taken just in landing, the surviving assault troops could not clear the heavily defended exits off the beach. This caused further problems and consequent delays for later landings. Small penetrations were eventually achieved by groups of survivors making improvised assaults, scaling the bluffs between the most heavily defended points. By the end of the day, two small isolated footholds had been won, which were subsequently exploited against weaker defenses further inland, thus achieving the original D-Day objectives over the following days.

Category

Education

License

Standard YouTube License