On the morning of June 5, 1944, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe gave the go-ahead for Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history. On his orders, 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels carrying 176,000 troops began to leave England for the trip to France. That night, 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for drop zones in Normandy. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.
By dawn on June 6, 18,000 parachutists were already on the ground; the land invasions began at 6:30 a.m. The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture Gold, Juno and Sword beaches; so did the Americans at Utah. The task was much tougher at Omaha beach, however, where 2,000 troops were lost and it was only through the tenacity and quick-wittedness of troops on the ground that the objective was achieved. By day’s end, 155,000 Allied troops–Americans, British and Canadians–had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.
On our upcoming tour, the District 99 Honors Band will visit Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Click here for a preview brochure. The Band will also visit the Caen Memorial & Museum.
The critically acclaimed movie, Saving Private Ryan, opens with an intense recreation of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Many of our District 99 students have seen this movie as sophomores in their U.S. History course. If you are interested in seeing the opening scene, it may be found on YouTube here. Please note: he movie is Rated R for intense violence. The opening of the film can be difficult to watch and may be unsettling for some viewers.
Historical film of the landing on the Beaches of Normandy may be found here.
