D-Day: Invasi Sekutu di Normandy

D-Day

Overview

• D-Day refers to the Allied invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, during World War II.
• It was the largest seaborne invasion in history, with over 156,000 troops landing on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast.

Planning and Preparation

• The invasion was code-named Operation Overlord, and was planned by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Allied High Command.
• The operation involved a massive buildup of troops and supplies in southern England, with over 2.5 million troops and 5,000 ships involved.
• The Allies conducted extensive deception operations to mislead the Germans about the location and timing of the invasion.

The Invasion

• The invasion began at 6:30 AM with an airborne assault by 13,000 troops, who landed behind enemy lines to secure key objectives.
• At 7:30 AM, the amphibious assault began, with troops landing on five beaches code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
• The Germans were caught off guard, but they quickly responded with fierce resistance, particularly at Omaha Beach.
• The Allies established a foothold on the continent, but at a high cost in lives and casualties.

Key Events

• The airborne assault was led by the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, who secured key objectives such as the town of Sainte-Mère-Église.
• The landing on Omaha Beach was the bloodiest, with over 2,000 casualties on the first day.
• The Allies established a solid beachhead by the end of the day, and began to push inland.

Significance

• D-Day marked a turning point in the war, as the Allies established a foothold in Europe and began to push the Germans back.
• The invasion paved the way for the liberation of Western Europe and the eventual defeat of Germany.
• D-Day is remembered as one of the most significant and heroic events of World War II.