As early as June 1940, Churchill knew that in order to defeat Hitler it would be necessary to invade the European continent. The UK could not do it on its own, but a year later with the German invasion of the Soviet Union that summer and the entry of the US into the war that December after Pearl Harbor, the pieces began to fall into place. By August of 1943 the plans were under way for an allied invasion to open a second front against Germany.
On June 6, 1944 at 12:15 AM that invasion began with US airborne and British glider divisions landing behind German lines. The actual landings on the five beaches began at 6:30 that morning. That signaled the beginning of the end for Hitler.
In all over 6,800 vessels manned by 195,701 seamen were required to transport the 156,205 land forces that attacked the Normandy beaches. Additionally, another 24,900 US & UK troops landed from the air delivered by 11,590 aircraft supported by 31,000 airmen. A total of 407,805 allied military personnel were involved in the invasion.
The highlight of our final day at Normandy was a service (last picture) at the American cemetery for those that gave their lives.
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