Normandy’s landing
Naval military operation planned by the Allied side and started on June 6, 1944. In this article we will explain you about the Normandy landings combatants.
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Date | June 6, 1944 |
| Place | Normandy, France |
| Belligerents | Allies vs. Nazi Germany |
| Outcome | Allied victory |
The Normandy Landing was a naval military operation planned by the Allied side and started on June 6, 1944 , within the framework of the Second World War .
In this landing, two great sides faced each other :
- The Allies : United States, England, Canada, France and some volunteer troops from other allied countries.
- Nazi Germany : under the command of Adolf Hitler.
The main objective of this operation was to achieve the liberation of the French territory of Normandy, which was occupied by Germany. This landing is considered the largest in military history; it was called “Operation Neptune” and “Operation Overlord”, but is commonly remembered as “D-Day.”
After the territorial advance of Nazi Germany on Western Europe, the Allies were forced to respond and stop this invasion. At the Trident conference, which took place in Washington DC in 1943, it was decided to invade France, which was then under the command of Germany. The strategy included a diversion plan so that the enemy could not prevent the attack and thus be able to reach the coasts with artificial bridges, called Mulberry.
Ultimately, this huge landing was victorious for the Allies , who managed to regain the territories and advance on France . The conflict ended on August 30, 1944 when they managed to dislodge the Germans, who were weakened after this coup, which began their decline towards total defeat.
Enhance your reading: How did the Cuban missile crisis end/definition/causes
Normandy landings combatants
1-American soldiers approaching Omaha Beach
But D-Day, June 6, 1944, was not a predominantly American effort, but a joint Allied operation led by Britain and also involving troops from France and Canada.
2-British soldiers before landing on the Normandy coast
The operation involved the landing of tens of thousands of forces on five different beaches in Normandy and had been meticulously planned for a year earlier. The original landing date was June 5, 1944, but it had to be delayed 24 hours due to bad weather.
3-American troops approach the French coast on June 6, 1944
The 7,000 ships that took part in the landing were commissioned to transport 156,000 men and 10,000 vehicles to the five carefully selected beaches off the Normandy coast.
4-An American doctor on Omaha Beach treating wounded soldiers
The Nazis always believed that the invasion would be through the Calais area, where their most powerful Division was deployed. To achieve this deception, the Allies used spies and double agents, among whom was the Spaniard Joan Pujol, who leaked erroneous information.
5-Canadian soldiers study map of Omaha Beach after seizing a defensive position from the Nazis
The five beaches where the invasion took place were given a code name: Utah and Omaha would be attacked by the Americans; Sword and Gold, target of the British; and Juno Beach, landing place for Canadians.
Causes and consequences of the Normandy landings
Causes
The main causes of the Normandy Landing were:
- The invasion of Nazi Germany after the Battle of France in 1940.
- The German ambitions to expand its territory throughout Europe, successfully occupying Belarus, Ukraine and other countries.
- The wear and tear of the German forces after the years of war.
- The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1941, which brought about the union of the United States to the side of the Allies.
Enhance your reading: Who was involved in the Korean war/characteristics/causes/outcome
Consequences
After the Normandy Landings, the Allies managed to dislodge Nazi Germany from the territory and advanced to other nearby regions. In August 1944 they entered Paris, in the so-called “liberation of Paris”, where they faced each other and again achieved victory.
This armed naval conflict represented the decline of Germany , since by diverting the troops towards the western front, they allowed the eastern advance of the Soviets to Berlin. Furthermore, the Normandy Landings caused a significant weakening of the German forces towards the end of World War II.
Importance of the Normandy Landings
With the Normandy landing, the Allies managed to push back the German troops and began to recover important territories of Europe that were invaded, in addition to stopping the advance that they planned towards the entire continent.
The Allies managed to unify their forces and show great military power and strategic cooperation. Thus, not only did they put an end to the advance of Nazism, but this fact turned out to be part of the beginning of the end of World War II .
