The Allied joint invasion of Normandy, France was executed on June 6 th, 1944 in order to gain a strategic foothold in Nazi- occupied Europe, and although "Operation Overlord" was successful, it came at a high price of more than 9,000 Allied soldiers being killed or wounded. “We will accept nothing less than full victory.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower Eisenhower Zack Smith

Overview  The U.S. Air Force and Britain’s Royal Air Force bombed strategic transport points (Bridges, and railroads) in France and Belgium, to prevent German mobilization troops arrived.  The deception plan was successful and Hitler believed the attack would hit further North.  Thousands of paratroopers were dropped behind German lines the night before the seaborne landings.  160,000 American, British, and Canadian troops arrive across the English Channel to launch an amphibious invasion of Normandy, France.  "Operation Overlord" was ultimately successful and secured the area to allow further military reinforcements.

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Nations Involved  The United States, Great Britain, and Canada were the big three involved.  Further assistance was provided by the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Royal Norwegian Navy to provide support for the troop landings.  Local French support was limited to behind- the-lines sabotage and combat against the occupying Germans.

Significance  Winning the Battle of Normandy allowed the Allies to capture a stronghold in Hitler's "Fortress Europe.“  It marked the beginning of the liberation of France, and the beginning of the end of Hitler's regime and his plans for world domination.

Casualties  Estimates of the casualties number about 9,000 for the Allies out of 160,000 initial troops.  Much of the casualties occurred because of Hitler's Atlantic Wall which consisted of fortified tank turrets, extensive barbed wire, and hundreds of thousands of mines. German defenses also had large bunkers, including concrete ones containing machine guns and high caliber weapons. Their defense also incorporated the cliffs and hills overlooking the beaches.

(dday.freeservers.com) ( The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a WWII tribute in Normandy, France, that honors American soldiers who died in Europe. ( Cemetery_Rain.JPG)