Response to the brutal aggression of Germany
On Tuesday, June 6, 1944, in response to the brutal aggression of Germany across the
continent, the Allied invasion of Normandy began. The landings were conducted in two
phases: an airborne assault landing of 24,000 British, American and Canadian airborne
troops shortly after midnight, and an amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armoured
divisions (shown) on the coast of France. The operation was the largest amphibious
invasion in world history and was executed by land, sea and air elements under direct
British-American command. 73,000 Americans, 61,715 British and 21,400 Canadians were
part of the invasion force, as well as Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over
5,000 ships were also involved.
