Learning Outcome To know the series of events involved in D-Day To know the series of events involved in D-Day To understand the different experiences of the D-Day landings. To understand the different experiences of the D-Day landings.

How did the Allies prepare for D-day? By 1944 the Allies were ready to retake mainland Europe. Operation Overlord was led by General Eisenhower and planned for June. By 1944 the Allies were ready to retake mainland Europe. Operation Overlord was led by General Eisenhower and planned for June. The get an accurate picture of Normandy the Allies used aerial photos, holiday guides, the publics holiday photos (10 million were sent), Sailing books, and French spies. A secret landing was even made to test the sand was hard enough to bear the weight of tanks. The get an accurate picture of Normandy the Allies used aerial photos, holiday guides, the publics holiday photos (10 million were sent), Sailing books, and French spies. A secret landing was even made to test the sand was hard enough to bear the weight of tanks. Some forces were sent even to Dover with wooden models of tanks (called Pattons First Army) to make the Nazis think that the invasion was planned for Calais. Meanwhile the real invasion force, gathered including thousands of Americans. Some forces were sent even to Dover with wooden models of tanks (called Pattons First Army) to make the Nazis think that the invasion was planned for Calais. Meanwhile the real invasion force, gathered including thousands of Americans. The Allies trained for months, attacking copies of the Nazi emplacements, building mulberries – floating harbours that could be towed across the Channel and set up. Specialist machines were built (e.g. crab tanks to clear mines/ bridge-carrying tanks). The Allies trained for months, attacking copies of the Nazi emplacements, building mulberries – floating harbours that could be towed across the Channel and set up. Specialist machines were built (e.g. crab tanks to clear mines/ bridge-carrying tanks). Calais was too strong to stage an invasion so it Normandy was chosen instead, but the Allies would need detailed intelligence to succeed… Calais was too strong to stage an invasion so it Normandy was chosen instead, but the Allies would need detailed intelligence to succeed… However preparations on this scale did not go unnoticed by the Germans... However preparations on this scale did not go unnoticed by the Germans... The Germans were not totally fooled and had to be convinced by a Spanish double agent that Calais was the real target and in fact Normandy was the diversion… The Germans were not totally fooled and had to be convinced by a Spanish double agent that Calais was the real target and in fact Normandy was the diversion… Only time would tell if the Nazis were aware of the operation and would be ready for the Allies… Only time would tell if the Nazis were aware of the operation and would be ready for the Allies… The invasion force was ready by 1 June – but the invasion was delayed because of bad weather. Forecasters predicted that the weather would clear on 6 June. Eisenhower ordered the attack.

What happened on D-Day? At 3 am on 6 June 1944, a 6,000 ships set sail for Normandy in 47 convoys. They carried 200,000 seamen, 185,000 soldiers and 20,000 vehicles At 3 am on 6 June 1944, a 6,000 ships set sail for Normandy in 47 convoys. They carried 200,000 seamen, 185,000 soldiers and 20,000 vehicles 20,000 men were dropped behind enemy lines to disrupt communications and seize key points. 11,000 planes, attacked the Nazis from the air and battleships bombarded the Nazi shore defences. 20,000 men were dropped behind enemy lines to disrupt communications and seize key points. 11,000 planes, attacked the Nazis from the air and battleships bombarded the Nazi shore defences. But by nightfall had captured a large area of coastline. But by nightfall had captured a large area of coastline. But, by chance, found little Nazi resistance and captured the beach with only 210 casualties. But, by chance, found little Nazi resistance and captured the beach with only 210 casualties. Men managed to struggle ashore safely, and by nightfall the Americans still only had a toehold on the beach. Men managed to struggle ashore safely, and by nightfall the Americans still only had a toehold on the beach. A few Royal Navy ships raced back and forth between Dover and Calais to make Nazi radar operators think that the invasion was going to take place at Cala A few Royal Navy ships raced back and forth between Dover and Calais to make Nazi radar operators think that the invasion was going to take place at Cala The British and Canadians landed on 3 beaches – Gold, Juno and Sword. They experienced heavy casualties (over 4,500)… The British and Canadians landed on 3 beaches – Gold, Juno and Sword. They experienced heavy casualties (over 4,500)… At Utah beach the Americans landed by accident at the wrong place… At Utah beach the Americans landed by accident at the wrong place… At Omaha beach the B17 bombers overshot the Nazi defences by 5kms, and most of the naval bombardment fell short. The Nazi defences (dug into the cliffs) were still very strong. The expected 800 men had been joined by a crack Nazi Division. Many men and vehicles were swept back out to sea or sank due to the tide. At Omaha beach the B17 bombers overshot the Nazi defences by 5kms, and most of the naval bombardment fell short. The Nazi defences (dug into the cliffs) were still very strong. The expected 800 men had been joined by a crack Nazi Division. Many men and vehicles were swept back out to sea or sank due to the tide. However, casualties were massive - the Americans sustained 3,000 casualties in first few hours. However, casualties were massive - the Americans sustained 3,000 casualties in first few hours.

What was the result of D-Day? By the end of D-Day, 132,715 men were ashore, which rose quickly (by 12 June 2 million men were in Normandy) By the end of D-Day, 132,715 men were ashore, which rose quickly (by 12 June 2 million men were in Normandy) The Nazis fought desperately, but by August Paris had fallen and (despite a short Nazi counter-attack called The Battle of the Bulge) The Nazis fought desperately, but by August Paris had fallen and (despite a short Nazi counter-attack called The Battle of the Bulge) The Allies pushed into Germany until they met up with Russian forces advancing from the east (23 April 1945). The Allies pushed into Germany until they met up with Russian forces advancing from the east (23 April 1945). On 7 May, 1945, the Nazis surrendered – it was VE Day (Victory in Europe)! On 7 May, 1945, the Nazis surrendered – it was VE Day (Victory in Europe)!