BY: AIDAN HARTLEY

D-Day happened on June 6, On that day a joint American British Canadian force assaulted the region of Normandy close to Cherbourg on beaches codenamed, Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword. < Allied troops getting in their aircraft.

D-Day took two years to plan. Generals from all three countries attended the planning in the UK. D-Day put allied commanding skills to the test. < Allied commanders including general Eisenhower planning the assault.

Paratroopers played an important role of softening German defenses and securing critical points such as Pegasus bridge, but the Germans had flooded lowlands causing many troops to drown. < Paratroopers jumping from their planes.

About two hours before the landing ships started bombarding and about 4 hours before the landing bombers tried to bomb the German lines. But the German bunkers were built stronger than usual so most allied shells did not penetrate. < Martin B-26 marauders were the main bombers on the landing.

About 6-14 hours after the paratroopers came the main assault allied troops stormed the beaches not caring that men all around them were falling and tracers were streaking past them. The most dangerous beach, Omaha which American forces landed on was not secured until about 3:00, but even then there were still little bursts from machine guns. < Allied troops storming the beaches.

Many French towns were destroyed by the tense fighting and artillery bombardments. French people were very happy when they saw the allied soldiers battling the Germans and freeing them. < This French town was destroyed by the intense fighting.

Now you know a lot about D-day.