D-Day: The Beaches.

T he armed forces used code-

names to refer to planning
and execution of specific mili-
tary operations to prepare for D-Day.
Operation Overlord was the code-
D-Day by the Numbers
Total Allied troops who landed in
Normandy: 156,115

name for the Allied invasion of north- Total Allied airborne troops
west Europe. The assault phase of (included in figures above): 23,400
Operation Overlord was known as
American: 73,000
Operation Neptune. This operation, (Omaha and Utah beaches + airborne)
which began on June 6, 1944, and ended
on June 30, 1944, involved landing troops British: 61,715
on beaches and all other associated sup- (Gold and Sword beaches + airborne)
porting operations required to establish a Gold Beach. This beach ranged from Canadian: 21,400
beachhead in France. By June 30th, the Longues-sur-Mer to La Rivière, five miles (Juno Beach)
Allies had established a firm foothold in long and included Arromanches where Mul-
Normandy — 850,279 men, 148,803 vehi- berry Harbor was established. British 2nd Total Allied aircraft that
cles and 570,505 tons of supplies had been Army, 30th Corps landed here and by night- supported landings: 11,590
landed. Operation Overlord also began on fall, 25,000 troops had landed and pushed the
D-Day, and continued until Allied forces Germans six Naval combat ships: 1,213
crossed the River Seine on August 19th. miles inland. Landing ships / craft: 4,126
The Battle of Normandy is the name given The Brits had
Ancillary craft: 736
to the fighting in Normandy between D- just 400 casual-
Day and the end of August 1944. Allied ties. Divided Merchant vessels: 864
code names for the beaches along the 50- into How,
mile stretch of Normandy coast targeted Item, Jig and Total naval vessels in Operation
for landing were Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno King zones. Neptune: 6,939
and Sword.
Juno Beach. Juno spanned either side of (Of the 6,939 ships involved in D-Day,
Utah Beach. Utah was the most western the port of Courseulles-sur-Mer from La 80 percent were British; 16.5 percent,
beach between Pouppeville and La Madeleine, Rivière to Saint- U.S.; and the rest from France, Holland,
three miles long, assigned to the U.S. 1st Army, Aubin-sur-Mer, Norway and Poland.)
7th Corps. Casualties were the lightest of all six miles wide.
landings – out of 23,000 troops, only 197 men Out of the 21,400 Soldiers’ home nations:
were killed or men from the United States, Britain, Canada,
wounded. It was Canadian 3rd
divided into zones Infantry Division
Belgium, Norway, Poland, Luxem-
assigned Tare and British 2nd bourg, Greece, Czechoslovakia, New
Green, Uncle Red Army, 1st Corps Zealand and Australia
and Victor. who landed, 1,200 were injured. Divided into (+177 French commandos)
Love, Mike and Nan zones.
Omaha Beach. Omaha was between Involved Allied army divisions:
Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes and Vierville-sur- Sword Beach. Sword stretched five miles
Mer, six miles long (largest). Taking Omaha from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to Ouistreham at 3rd British Infantry – Sword Beach
was the U.S. 1st Army, 5th Corps’ responsibil- the mouth of the River Orne. Nine miles 3rd Canadian Infantry – Juno Beach
ity, with sea transport from the U.S. Navy and north of Caen, it 4th Infantry – Utah Beach
elements of the Royal Navy. The movie Saving was a major route
Private Ryan portrays some events here. The hub of Northern 1st & 29th Infantry – Omaha Beach
1st Infantry assault France. With help 50th British Infantry – Gold Beach
experienced the from French and
6th Airborne – Dropped on east
worst ordeal of D- British comman-
Day operations. dos, the Brits
bank of the Orne River
The Americans landed 29,000 82nd & 101st Airborne –
suffered 2,400 men from its 2nd Night drop on Cotentin Peninsula
casualties, but Army, 1st Corps behind Utah Beach
34,000 Allied and suffered just 630 casualties. Divided into
2nd Ranger Regiment –
troops landed by nightfall. Divided into Oboe, Peter, Queen and Roger zones.
Charlie, Dog, Easy and Fox zones. Pointe du Hoc

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