Normandy

Normandy Invasion, June 1944 U.S. Army Rangers show off the ladders they used to storm the cliffs

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Photo # 80-G-45716

Quick Facts

Location:

World War II

To your right, you see the name Normandy. As the Italian Campaign progressed into 1944, the Allies were already preparing for *Operation Overlord*—the invasion of Normandy, set to begin later that year. 

June 6, 1944, became one of the most famous dates in history: D-Day. Operation Overlord marked one of the most successful amphibious assaults of World War II. After securing the Normandy beaches, the Allies pushed further into France, expanding their foothold. 

From June 7 to August 1, 1944, the Allies faced fierce German resistance. Despite their setbacks, the Wehrmacht—Germany’s armed forces—remained a formidable enemy, capable of inflicting heavy casualties. The breakthrough came with Operation Cobra, a plan devised by U.S. Lieutenant General Omar Bradley to break out of the Normandy beachhead. The operation proved highly successful, culminating in the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944.