D-Day

The Normandy landings were a massive invasion operation by the Allies on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, which marked the beginning of the liberation of France and the rest of Western Europe. The operation involved the landing of over 24,000 airborne troops and the subsequent amphibious landing of Allied forces on a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast, divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The invasion was preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment, but the men landed under heavy fire from German gun emplacements, resulting in significant casualties. The Allies were able to establish beachheads at each sector, but the city of Caen was not captured until July 21, and the five beachheads were not connected until June 12. German casualties were estimated at 4,000 to 9,000 men, while Allied casualties were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead.learn more on wikipedia