Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Remembering: D Day

On June 6, 1944, after years of preparation, and months of training, the Allies launch their assault on Nazi Europe.

Over night more than 18,000 British and US paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines.

13,000 aircraft provided air cover for 6,000 landing craft, ships, and other vessels which carried 176,000 soldiers across the channel.

At 6:30 am troops hit the beaches, slowly but constantly gaining ground.

By the end of the day over 155,000 Allied troops would be in the beachheads, and working their way further into France.

The invasion was a huge success, despite not reaching all of it's original objectives.

Part of the success was the confusion amongst the German ranks, who's command staff were giving countermanding orders.

Hitler himself was sure that the invasion would come elsewhere, convinced that Patton would lead any invasion force into Calais.

But Patton was purely being used as a decoy, and the attacks came at Normandy, led by Bradley.

Allied air power also was key in taking out bridges, causing German troops long delays in responding to the invasion.

Around 4,500 Allied troops sacrificed their lives on D Day alone.

It would be the true beginning to the end of the war in Europe.

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