1. D-Day
June 6, 1944

2. Who was involved in D-Day?
United States
VS.
Britain
Germany
Canada

3. Pictures of Allied bombing damage at
Before the Invasion
In the days leading up to the main invasion, Allied planes bombed the Atlantic Wall defenses all along the coast of France
Pictures of Allied bombing damage at
Pointe du Hoc, France

4. Before the Invasion
The night before the invasion, Allied troops parachuted behind enemy lines in France
They tried to destroy railroad lines and disrupt communication
General Eisenhower speaking to airborne troops on the evening before the invasion

5. US troops in a Higgins landing craft approaching the coast of Normandy
What Happened?
On June 6, 1944 more than 150,000 Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel
They attacked the German military along a 60 mile stretch of the coast in Normandy, France.
US troops in a Higgins landing craft approaching the coast of Normandy

6. What Happened?
British, American, and Canadian troops sailed from different ports in Great Britain and attacked the Germans together on five different beaches in Normandy, France

7. What Happened?
Soldiers faced intense opposition from the Germans when they landed

8. What Happened?
Many men were killed or injured before they even reached the beaches
US troops take shelter behind German “hedgehogs.” The obstacles were designed to prevent Allied landing craft from getting too close to the shores of France.

9. Why Did It Happen?
The Allies wanted to free France from German control
They had to first conquer the coast of France so that they could then liberate western Europe and defeat Hitler

10. How Did It Affect The War?
D-Day was the beginning of the end of the war in Europe
The Allies were able to liberate France from German control after several months of fighting

11. Images courtesy of: Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
United States Army: D-Day
United States National Archives