The Battle of Normandy a.k.a. D-Day

When it all happened Began June 6 th, 1944 Began June 6 th, 1944 Operation Neptune ended on June 30 th Operation Neptune ended on June 30 th Operation Overlord ended on August 19 th Operation Overlord ended on August 19 th

Where it all began Normandy Beach, France Normandy Beach, France

The Allies Twelve nations fought on the allied side Twelve nations fought on the allied side Australia Australia Canada Canada Belgium Belgium France France Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Greece Greece New Zealand New Zealand The Netherlands The Netherlands Norway Norway Poland Poland The United Kingdom The United Kingdom The United States The United States

Operation Overlord Code name for the invasion of Normandy Code name for the invasion of Normandy Technically began before the actual invasion Technically began before the actual invasion Some 13,000 bombs were dropped to demolition transportation links Some 13,000 bombs were dropped to demolition transportation links Men went ahead and destroyed almost any way of transportation throughout cities Men went ahead and destroyed almost any way of transportation throughout cities

Operation Neptune Code name for assault phase of Normandy Code name for assault phase of Normandy Key-to establish a secure foothold Key-to establish a secure foothold Actual D-Day Actual D-Day When Allies attacked Normandy to gain control of it. When Allies attacked Normandy to gain control of it. Saving Private Ryan movie based on this operation Saving Private Ryan movie based on this operation Known in the military as the initial naval assault Known in the military as the initial naval assault

D-Day Does not mean Deliverance Day, Doom Day, or Debarkation Day. Does not mean Deliverance Day, Doom Day, or Debarkation Day. It refers to the D in Day It refers to the D in Day D+1 means the day after the invasion D+1 means the day after the invasion D-1 means the day before D-1 means the day before

Who was in charge Dwight D. Eisenhower led the charge for Allies Dwight D. Eisenhower led the charge for Allies He had the task of moving across 100 miles of sea He had the task of moving across 100 miles of sea His job to lead the way in attacking the coast line His job to lead the way in attacking the coast line Erwin Rommel was the German commander- considered one of the most brilliant generals to ever walk the earth Erwin Rommel was the German commander- considered one of the most brilliant generals to ever walk the earth

What happened 5,000 vessels boated across the dangerous English channel 5,000 vessels boated across the dangerous English channel 4,000 smaller landing craft 4,000 smaller landing craft 11,000 aircraft craft to cart supplies and bombs 11,000 aircraft craft to cart supplies and bombs All from the Allies All from the Allies There were many bombings There were many bombings Some 209,000 allied men died Some 209,000 allied men died

When it ended After Operation Neptune when Allies secured the beach head we moved to secure past the River of Seine After Operation Neptune when Allies secured the beach head we moved to secure past the River of Seine We were successful We were successful Troops made it across the River of Seine on August 19, 1944 Troops made it across the River of Seine on August 19, 1944 ALLIES WON ALLIES WON

Why so important Crucial for Western Allies Crucial for Western Allies Needed to bring the war to the western border of Germany Needed to bring the war to the western border of Germany If Normandy didn’t happen, complete possession of Northern and Western Europe could have been taken by soviet forces If Normandy didn’t happen, complete possession of Northern and Western Europe could have been taken by soviet forces