Normandy Landings of 1944
June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the turning point of WW2
15 April 2024
.jpg "AKG7890772 US troops disembarking from a US Coast Guard landing craft. Allied landings in Normandy after “D-Day” (day on which the Allied landings commenced under General Montgomery on 6 June 1944). Photo digitally coloured. © akg-images")
The Second World War, a global conflict fought between more than fifty nations between 1939 and 1945, was the longest and bloodiest conflict in history. The principal Allies of Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union and, to a lesser extent, China fought the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan, with an estimated number of 70 to 85 million people killed.
The year 1944 saw events that would change the course of the war and mark the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany's steady and determined march across Europe. This year will mark the 80th anniversary of these events.
One of the most significant events was the Allied Invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944, referred to as the Normandy Landings, D-Day, or Operation Overlord. The event remains the largest amphibious invasion in military history.
On June 5, more than 5,000 ships and landing craft carrying troops and supplies left England for the trip across the English Channel, while more than 11,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support. The amphibious invasions began early the following morning. The Allies captured beaches codenamed Gold, Juno, Sword, and Utah. U.S. forces faced considerable resistance at Omaha Beach. Of the approximate 156,000 Allied troops that participated in the Normandy Landings, casualties were estimated to be at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead.
View our 2025 timeline of events that led to the end of the Second World War here.
AKG2492459 In Brixham Harbour (Devon, United Kingdom): trucks, jeeps and heavy equipment are loaded on four Landing Ships, Tank (LST 284, 380, 382 and 490). ©akg-images
A German soldier is on guard duty behind barbed wire defences on the coast in Normandy, France. AKG2492457 © akg-images
General Erwin Rommel (1891 – 1944) and other German officers inspect the coastal defense system. April 1944. Rommel was in charge of the Atlantikwall defenses and received orders directly from Hitler. Normandy, France. AKG2492665 © akg-images
AKG940847 Bombardier of the US Air Force is checking the distance to the target 25 seconds before bombing starts. ©akg-images
AKG2492530 Allied soldiers are walking in deep water during the invasion of the beach. On the left is the Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) –779. Barrage balloons are in the sky. In the foreground is a Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), which has landed reinforcements. Utah Beach, Normandy, France. ©akg-images
AKG2492477 In the Easy Red sector, Colleville-sur-Mer (Normandy, France): American soldiers from the 5th or 6th Engineer Special Brigade (ESB) try to help a comrade lying on his stomach. ©akg-images
The body of a German soldier is lying in front of a bunker overlooking the coast. June 1944. Utah beach was defended by the 709th Static Infantry Division which actually contained a large number of Ostlegionen troops, recruited from occupied Eastern European countries. Utah Beach, Normandy, France. AKG2492692 © akg-images
Corporal Victor Deblois from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division guarding two German prisoners at the foot of the concrete dam at Juno Beach. In the background other prisoners are sitting along the concrete dam in the near Widerstandsnest. AKG2492488 © akg-imagesNormandy Landings in colour
akg-images have a selection of colourised WWII images available for your projects, where the addition of colour by historians enhances details of the images and offers greater understanding of the events taking place.
2nd World War, France, Allied landings in Normandy (D-Day, Operation Overlord): Reinforcement of the first waves of US troops on the Omaha sector: Soldiers of the 5th US Corps disembark from a landing ship. AKG9118969 © akg-images
Two sailors are being rescued from the sea. 1944. They are part of the crew of a Landing Craft Infantry (LCI). Manche, France. AKG9147087 © akg-images
WW2, France, D-Day, Allied Invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord), Medics from the US Army’s 2nd Naval Beach Battalion (NBB) assist an injured Paratrooper onto a Landing Craft (LCVP). AKG9221388 © akg-images
A Horsa glider lies flipped onto its back on the Cotentin Peninsula in a pasture. 5th June 1944. It attempted to land in support of paratroopers on the evening of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Troopers killed in the crash are laid out on the grass. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont , Normandy, France. AKG9242816 © akg-imagesOperation Dragoon: 15 August 1944
15 August 1944: Operation Dragoon was the code name for the landing operation of the Allied invasion of Provence, Southern France. Initially planned to be carried out in conjunction with Operation Overlord, its execution was delayed due to a lack of available resources. Operation Dragoon enabled the Allies to gain control of two major ports and to liberate most of Southern France in just four weeks.
AKG10067029 US troops wade through chest-deep water during an amphibious invasion to an unopposed beach east of Toulon. ©akg-images
AKG10314884 (Digitally coloured) US troops wade through chest-deep water during an amphibious invasion to an unopposed beach east of Toulon. ©akg-images.jpg "AKG10067060 A consolidated B-24 Liberator of the 15th Aaf flies over smoke from bombs that struck at enemy gun positions in the Sete area of Southern France, attacked by heavy bombers. Direct hits were scored on targets. ©akg-images")
AKG10067060 A consolidated B-24 Liberator of the 15th Aaf flies over smoke from bombs that struck at enemy gun positions in the Sete area of Southern France, attacked by heavy bombers. Direct hits were scored on targets. ©akg-images
AKG10064154 USS Quincy (CA-71) fires her forward 8/55 guns off Toulon, while supporting the invasion with smoke screen laid by the ship next ahead to prevent accurate counter-fire by German coastal artillery. ©akg-imagesakg-images have extensive WWII image collections. We have created selections for you to view here and here.
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