• D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history and was the turning point in World War II.history and was the turning point in World War II.

• Between combined Allied forces nearly 156,000 Between combined Allied forces nearly 156,000 troops on or supported by nearly 4,000 ships troops on or supported by nearly 4,000 ships crossed the English Channel landing the troops crossed the English Channel landing the troops on five beaches in Normandy.on five beaches in Normandy.

• The beaches were stormed early that morning The beaches were stormed early that morning supported by about 23,000 airborne troops that supported by about 23,000 airborne troops that had already landed behind enemy lines or had already landed behind enemy lines or getting ready to land in support of the beach getting ready to land in support of the beach assault and the push to Caen.assault and the push to Caen.

• D-Day -- 0100 The invasion begins. Glider and D-Day -- 0100 The invasion begins. Glider and paratroop units begin landing behind the German paratroop units begin landing behind the German beach defenses.beach defenses.

• British 6th Airborne Division dropped northeast of British 6th Airborne Division dropped northeast of Caen, near the mouth of the Orne River, where it Caen, near the mouth of the Orne River, where it anchored the British eastern flank by securing anchored the British eastern flank by securing bridges over the river and the Caen Canal. bridges over the river and the Caen Canal.

• On the other side of the invasion area, the U.S. On the other side of the invasion area, the U.S. 101st and 82d Airborne Divisions dropped near 101st and 82d Airborne Divisions dropped near Ste. Mere-Eglise and Carentan to secure road Ste. Mere-Eglise and Carentan to secure road junctions and beach exits. junctions and beach exits. 

• Bridge over the Caen canal near the town of Bridge over the Caen canal near the town of Ouistreham (aka Benouville Bridge)Ouistreham (aka Benouville Bridge)

• It was a major objective of the British 6th Airborne It was a major objective of the British 6th Airborne DivisionDivision

• They used gliders to land near it during the They used gliders to land near it during the Normandy InvasionNormandy Invasion

• It was given the Pegasus name in honor of the It was given the Pegasus name in honor of the attacking British who wore a flying horse on their attacking British who wore a flying horse on their shouldershoulder

• The bridge was taken over to prevent a counter The bridge was taken over to prevent a counter attack from the eastern flankattack from the eastern flank

• It was initially carried out by 181 soldiers, flour It was initially carried out by 181 soldiers, flour platoons of D and two of B companies.platoons of D and two of B companies.

• Led by Major John Howard.Led by Major John Howard.• The first glider to land was flown by SSgt. Jim The first glider to land was flown by SSgt. Jim

Wallwork and SSgt John Ainsworth (No. 92)Wallwork and SSgt John Ainsworth (No. 92)• They landed at 12:16 am pushing through the first They landed at 12:16 am pushing through the first

belt of barbed wire around the bridge. The two belt of barbed wire around the bridge. The two pilots were catapulted from the glider thus pilots were catapulted from the glider thus becoming the two first soldiers to set foot in France becoming the two first soldiers to set foot in France on D-Dayon D-Day

• Everyone was unconscious, but when they regained Everyone was unconscious, but when they regained their senses a few seconds later, they realized their their senses a few seconds later, they realized their crash did not alert the enemy.crash did not alert the enemy.

The enemy thought the noise was a piece of debris The enemy thought the noise was a piece of debris falling from an allied bomberfalling from an allied bomber

• Lt. Den Brotheridge was the first to die by enemy Lt. Den Brotheridge was the first to die by enemy actions on D-Day during this battleactions on D-Day during this battle

• While the two sides fought Royal engineers from the While the two sides fought Royal engineers from the 249th Field Company had ignored enemy fire 249th Field Company had ignored enemy fire directed at them as they climbed over the bridge directed at them as they climbed over the bridge looking for wires to cut and detonation devices to looking for wires to cut and detonation devices to remove.remove.

• The Germans had placed the bombs for The Germans had placed the bombs for demolition, but because the feared an accidental demolition, but because the feared an accidental explosion or sabotage by the French Resistance explosion or sabotage by the French Resistance they did not place charges.they did not place charges.

• The Germans did fight back but they would not The Germans did fight back but they would not be able to defeat the British and many fled the be able to defeat the British and many fled the scene. scene.

• Because parachute drops left troops dispersed Because parachute drops left troops dispersed over a comparatively broad area, the appeal of over a comparatively broad area, the appeal of gliders lay in their ability to deliver larger numbers gliders lay in their ability to deliver larger numbers of soldiers into a smaller perimeter as a more of soldiers into a smaller perimeter as a more cohesive fighting force.cohesive fighting force.

• Also, gliders could carry some wheeled vehicles, Also, gliders could carry some wheeled vehicles, mortars, and light artillery that could not be mortars, and light artillery that could not be parachuted from World War II cargo transports. parachuted from World War II cargo transports. Essentially, the role of glider troops was to make Essentially, the role of glider troops was to make landings ahead of the ground forces and take landings ahead of the ground forces and take enemy strongholds by surprise enemy strongholds by surprise

• Landing in a glider was extremely dangerous Landing in a glider was extremely dangerous and was little more than a controlled crash.  and was little more than a controlled crash.  Even if the pilot had the time and altitude to Even if the pilot had the time and altitude to select a good spot to land, conditions on the select a good spot to land, conditions on the ground were normally hostile.ground were normally hostile.

• The gliders were usually towed behind a C-47 The gliders were usually towed behind a C-47 tow plane on a 300 foot nylon rope 1" in tow plane on a 300 foot nylon rope 1" in diameter. diameter.

• Gliders and their tow planes were slow, fat Gliders and their tow planes were slow, fat targets.  They had no armor to protect the men targets.  They had no armor to protect the men inside. inside.

• Nicknamed "canvas coffins," the flimsy gliders Nicknamed "canvas coffins," the flimsy gliders had plywood floors and a steel tubing frame had plywood floors and a steel tubing frame covered with a canvas skin. covered with a canvas skin.

Life Expectancy of Pilots in Combat:Life Expectancy of Pilots in Combat:

• Bomber Pilots...........1 hour, 46 minutesBomber Pilots...........1 hour, 46 minutes• Fighter Pilots.......................19 minutesFighter Pilots.......................19 minutes• Glider Pilots........................17 secondsGlider Pilots........................17 seconds

• Span: 83 ft. 8 in.Span: 83 ft. 8 in.

• Length: 48 ft. 4 In.Length: 48 ft. 4 In.

• Height: 12 ft. 7 in.Height: 12 ft. 7 in.

• Weight: 7,500 Weight: 7,500 lbs. loadedlbs. loaded

• Armament:Armament:NoneNone

• Engine: NoneEngine: None

• At about 0140 mixed unites of the 82At about 0140 mixed unites of the 82ndnd and 101 and 101stst Airborne Divisions landed directly on and Airborne Divisions landed directly on and around the town of Sainte Mere-Eglise. around the town of Sainte Mere-Eglise.

• Some buildings in town were on fire that night, Some buildings in town were on fire that night, and they illuminated the sky, making easy and they illuminated the sky, making easy targets of the descending men. Some were targets of the descending men. Some were sucked into the fire. Many hanging from trees sucked into the fire. Many hanging from trees and utility poles were shot before they could cut and utility poles were shot before they could cut loose. The German defenders were alerted.loose. The German defenders were alerted.

• A famous incident involved paratrooper John A famous incident involved paratrooper John Steele, whose parachute caught on the spire of Steele, whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church, and could only observe the the town church, and could only observe the fighting going on below. He was later captured by fighting going on below. He was later captured by a German soldier. a German soldier.

• Later that morning, about 0500, a force led by Lt. Later that morning, about 0500, a force led by Lt. Colonel Edward C. Krause of the 505th PIR took Colonel Edward C. Krause of the 505th PIR took the town with little resistance. Apparently the the town with little resistance. Apparently the German garrison was confused and had retired German garrison was confused and had retired for the rest of the night, giving it the claim to one for the rest of the night, giving it the claim to one of the first towns liberated in the invasion. of the first towns liberated in the invasion.

• Hitler appointed Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to Hitler appointed Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to command Army Group B and with it, the responsibility command Army Group B and with it, the responsibility for the defense of Normandy. for the defense of Normandy.

• Upon taking his new post and setting up his Upon taking his new post and setting up his headquarters in France, Rommel set to work headquarters in France, Rommel set to work attempting to implement the changes he saw as attempting to implement the changes he saw as essential. essential.

• Von Rundstedt’s, Rommel’s Superior, desire to Von Rundstedt’s, Rommel’s Superior, desire to prepare for a decisive inland battle, coupled with prepare for a decisive inland battle, coupled with Hitler’s demands for heavy fortifications at certain Hitler’s demands for heavy fortifications at certain points along the coast had resulted in a disjointed points along the coast had resulted in a disjointed series of efforts. series of efforts.

• The first line of defense would consist of four belts of The first line of defense would consist of four belts of underwater obstacles, many to be armed with underwater obstacles, many to be armed with explosives to blow up landing craft, or built to tear explosives to blow up landing craft, or built to tear the bottoms out of the same. In his own notes, the bottoms out of the same. In his own notes, Rommel set out the following plan for the Rommel set out the following plan for the construction of obstacles in the water:construction of obstacles in the water:

1. A belt in six feet of water at mean high tide.1. A belt in six feet of water at mean high tide.2. A belt in six feet of water at half-tide of a twelve-2. A belt in six feet of water at half-tide of a twelve-foot tide.foot tide.3. A belt in six feet of water at low tide.3. A belt in six feet of water at low tide.4. A belt in twelve feet of water at low tide. 4. A belt in twelve feet of water at low tide.

• Rommel building improvements, laying minefields on Rommel building improvements, laying minefields on the beaches and beach approaches and in the the beaches and beach approaches and in the English Channel. English Channel.

• Fortifications were strengthened, fields of fire were Fortifications were strengthened, fields of fire were improved, and obstacles of all sorts were placed in improved, and obstacles of all sorts were placed in the water at approaches to possible landing sites. the water at approaches to possible landing sites.

• In addition, flood plains were flooded and fields were In addition, flood plains were flooded and fields were positioned with poles to prevent their possible use as positioned with poles to prevent their possible use as landing areas. landing areas.

• 0558  The twenty mile wide distance between Caen 0558  The twenty mile wide distance between Caen and Vierville-sur-Mer was filled with an invading and Vierville-sur-Mer was filled with an invading armada of Allied troop transport vessels, battleships armada of Allied troop transport vessels, battleships and other warships than began to make their presence and other warships than began to make their presence felt as the they began to pound the German defensive felt as the they began to pound the German defensive shore positions.shore positions.

• 0630  The assault waves begin to touch down.  The 0630  The assault waves begin to touch down.  The situation on Omaha is the worst.  situation on Omaha is the worst. 

• 0638  Omaha was there worst at Dog Green, directly 0638  Omaha was there worst at Dog Green, directly in front of strongpoints guarding the Vierville draw and in front of strongpoints guarding the Vierville draw and under heavy flanking fire from emplacements to the under heavy flanking fire from emplacements to the west.  west. 

• 0710 The Assault on Point du Hoc was led by Col. 0710 The Assault on Point du Hoc was led by Col. James Earl Rudder the U. S. Army’s 2nd Ranger James Earl Rudder the U. S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion to victory in one of the greatest feats of the Battalion to victory in one of the greatest feats of the Normandy invasion on the German gun Normandy invasion on the German gun emplacements at Point du Hoc. emplacements at Point du Hoc.

• The site of Point du Hoc is located between Omaha The site of Point du Hoc is located between Omaha and Utah beaches at the tip of a cliff that towers more and Utah beaches at the tip of a cliff that towers more than 100 feet above a narrow, rock strewn beach. than 100 feet above a narrow, rock strewn beach.

• The Germans considered the battery site there to be The Germans considered the battery site there to be unassailable but, the Rangers scaled the cliff and unassailable but, the Rangers scaled the cliff and killed or captured the garrison. killed or captured the garrison.

• Ironically, the Rangers found that the artillery pieces Ironically, the Rangers found that the artillery pieces thought to be in place at Point du Hoc were gone.thought to be in place at Point du Hoc were gone.

• A Ranger patrol located these missing guns A Ranger patrol located these missing guns arranged in firing positions in a field some distance arranged in firing positions in a field some distance beyond the site near the village of Cricqueville-en-beyond the site near the village of Cricqueville-en-Bessin.Bessin.

• Thinking quickly the patrol placed thermite grenades Thinking quickly the patrol placed thermite grenades in the firing mechanisms, effectively rendered these in the firing mechanisms, effectively rendered these guns inoperable and accomplished their mission. guns inoperable and accomplished their mission.

• 0700  As the second wave touched down at 0700  As the second wave touched down at Omaha the conditions were unbearable. Enemy Omaha the conditions were unbearable. Enemy mortar and artillery batteries, unscathed by Allied mortar and artillery batteries, unscathed by Allied firefire

0730 - 1200  Inch by inch the troops on Omaha 0730 - 1200  Inch by inch the troops on Omaha moved forward, up through the bluffs and onto the moved forward, up through the bluffs and onto the flatland above.  In the absence of much room to flatland above.  In the absence of much room to maneuver, their attack had been unoriginal, a maneuver, their attack had been unoriginal, a straightforward frontal attack. straightforward frontal attack.

• The largest of the D-Day assault areas, Omaha The largest of the D-Day assault areas, Omaha Beach stretched over 10 km (6 miles) between Beach stretched over 10 km (6 miles) between the fishing port of Port-en-Bessin on the east and the fishing port of Port-en-Bessin on the east and the mouth of the Vire River on the west. the mouth of the Vire River on the west.

• The western third of the beach was backed by a The western third of the beach was backed by a seawall 3 meters (10 feet) high, and the whole seawall 3 meters (10 feet) high, and the whole beach was overlooked by cliffs 30 meters high. beach was overlooked by cliffs 30 meters high.

• The American forces 34,250 troops on Omaha The American forces 34,250 troops on Omaha Beach and of those about 2,000 were killed, Beach and of those about 2,000 were killed, injured or were missing in action (MIA)injured or were missing in action (MIA)

• The Utah landing area was approximately 5 km The Utah landing area was approximately 5 km (3 miles) wide and was located northwest of the (3 miles) wide and was located northwest of the Carentan estuary on sandy, duned beaches. Carentan estuary on sandy, duned beaches.

• The American forces landed numbered 23,250 The American forces landed numbered 23,250 at Utah Beach and the casualties were relatively at Utah Beach and the casualties were relatively light: 137 dead and 60 MIA. About one-tenth the light: 137 dead and 60 MIA. About one-tenth the about of the casualties at Omaha.about of the casualties at Omaha.

• German reaction to the landings was slow and German reaction to the landings was slow and confused.confused.

• Though reports of airborne and seaborne Though reports of airborne and seaborne attacks had been pouring into German attacks had been pouring into German headquarters since early morning, it was headquarters since early morning, it was believed that these were only diversions and the believed that these were only diversions and the real weight of the invasion would come near real weight of the invasion would come near Calais.Calais.

• The problem was compounded by the German The problem was compounded by the German command structure which had been deliberately command structure which had been deliberately set up by Hitler to ensure that he himself was the set up by Hitler to ensure that he himself was the only person who could deploy several key only person who could deploy several key Panzer divisions.Panzer divisions.

• Because he always slept late and no-one dared Because he always slept late and no-one dared wake him, on the morning of the invasion it was wake him, on the morning of the invasion it was some time before Hitler was informed.some time before Hitler was informed.

• by the time these divisions were released, it was by the time these divisions were released, it was too late – the allies were firmly ashore and the too late – the allies were firmly ashore and the opportunity to drive them back into the sea had opportunity to drive them back into the sea had gone. gone.

• Only the 21st Panzer Division attempted a major Only the 21st Panzer Division attempted a major counter-attack on D-Day, and this fizzled out due counter-attack on D-Day, and this fizzled out due to a lack of infantry support.to a lack of infantry support.

• Gold beach was in the centerGold beach was in the center• The sector called ‘gold’ was five miles wideThe sector called ‘gold’ was five miles wide• Commander of the invasion force for Gold: Commander of the invasion force for Gold:

Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey.Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey.• Main assault Unit: British 50th Infantry Division, Main assault Unit: British 50th Infantry Division,

part of the British 2nd Armypart of the British 2nd Army• Main regiments used: Dorsetshire, Hampshire, Main regiments used: Dorsetshire, Hampshire,

East Yorkshire and DevonshireEast Yorkshire and Devonshire• German force: 716th Division and units of the German force: 716th Division and units of the

352nd Division352nd Division

• Many of the defenders were in exposed Many of the defenders were in exposed positions and were vulnerable to Allied naval positions and were vulnerable to Allied naval and aerial gunfire.and aerial gunfire.

• The time for landing at Gold Beach was set for The time for landing at Gold Beach was set for 07.2507.25

• They however had problems because the sea They however had problems because the sea water raised and covered the anti tank creations water raised and covered the anti tank creations or marines.or marines.

• This made it so engineers could not go in and This made it so engineers could not go in and disarm themdisarm them

• The first twenty armored cars were damaged The first twenty armored cars were damaged because of this.because of this.

• However, the naval and aerial bombardment However, the naval and aerial bombardment neutralized the German defendersneutralized the German defendersBy midday the beach was in control of the By midday the beach was in control of the British.British.

• Only 400 casualties while taking the beach.Only 400 casualties while taking the beach.

• Juno beach was the location of their first landing– 14,000 troops stormed the beach on that day– Once on shore, faced German strongholds

• Machine gun fire– 11 heavy batteries of 155mm guns and 9

medium batteries of 75 mm guns• Beaches laced with mines

• 340 Canadian lives were taken• 574 severely wounded• Toronto’s Queen’s Own Rifles received the worse

beating/loss of all the Canadian units• Once the beach had been taken them and the allies

moved inland through the towns of• The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division had penetrated

further into France then any other Allied force had, despite strong resistance at the water’s edge, and later counter-attacks on the beachhead by Germans.

• Furthest East of the five beachesFurthest East of the five beaches

• About 9 miles to the NE of Caen and less About 9 miles to the NE of Caen and less then 10 miles from Gold Beach and 4 from then 10 miles from Gold Beach and 4 from the start of Juno Beachthe start of Juno Beach

• Sword Beach was about five miles across Sword Beach was about five miles across the town of Ouistreham.the town of Ouistreham.

• Sword Beach was lightly defended Sword Beach was lightly defended compared to other places.compared to other places.

• They met little resistance at Sword and the They met little resistance at Sword and the troops went inland to meet with troops went inland to meet with paratroopers.paratroopers.

• Although it took very little time for the Although it took very little time for the fighting on Sword Beach many casualties fighting on Sword Beach many casualties happened because of arial attacks, and a happened because of arial attacks, and a few Panzer Divisions from the Germans.few Panzer Divisions from the Germans.

• In all there were 630 casualties.In all there were 630 casualties.

• What you have just hear about and seen were What you have just hear about and seen were some of the major conflicts and highlights of the some of the major conflicts and highlights of the D-Day assault.D-Day assault.

• This by no means won the war; however, this did This by no means won the war; however, this did sway the power from the Axis to the Allies in sway the power from the Axis to the Allies in Europe.Europe.

• The years of tedious planning and preparation The years of tedious planning and preparation had proved to be important to the outcome of the had proved to be important to the outcome of the war.war.

• In a time when everyone in American Culture In a time when everyone in American Culture current can talk about the effects of war in either current can talk about the effects of war in either first hand knowledge or in having felt the pain of first hand knowledge or in having felt the pain of separation of a friend or loved one deployed to a separation of a friend or loved one deployed to a combat zone, it is important to understand the combat zone, it is important to understand the nature of war.nature of war.

• Do not let us speak of darker days; let us rather Do not let us speak of darker days; let us rather speak of sterner days. These are not dark days: speak of sterner days. These are not dark days: these are great days--the greatest days our country these are great days--the greatest days our country has ever lived.has ever lived.

-- Winston Churchill (1874-1965), From a speech, -- Winston Churchill (1874-1965), From a speech, October 29, 1941. October 29, 1941.