On June 6, 1944, Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower
gave the go-ahead for the largest amphibious military operation in history: Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of northern France, commonly
known as D-Day. 

By daybreak, 18,000 British and American parachutists were already on
the ground. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover
and support for the invasion. At 6:30 a.m., American troops came ashore at
Utah and Omaha beaches. 

The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture Gold, Juno
and Sword beaches; so did the Americans at Utah. The task was much
tougher at Omaha beach, however, where the U.S. First Division battled high
seas, mist, mines, burning vehicles—and German coastal batteries, including
an elite infantry division, which spewed heavy fire. Many wounded Americans ultimately drowned in the high tide. British divisions, which landed at Gold,
Juno, and Sword beaches, and Canadian troops also met with heavy German
fire.

Allied forces Supreme Commander General Dwight D Eisenhower
(left) speaks with US Army paratroopers of Easy Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (Strike) of the 101st Airborne Division,
at Greenham Common Airfield in England June 5, 1944.