What Were The Normandy Landings?

The Normandy Landings are also known commonly as 'D-Day' or more uncommonly as Operation Neptune. However  the phrase, 'D-Day', is used not just as another name for the Normandy Landings, but 'D-Day', in military terms, means the day an attack operation begins. The Normandy Landings was a huge-turning point in the course of the Second World War, and can be argued as a major contributing factor to the end of the war with the Allied victory. The anniversary of the Normandy Landings is today, June 6, and it took place in 1944. Reading articles in the newspaper about the Landings or seeing the anniversary of the Landings televised or even simply watching the film, Saving Private Ryan, clearly demonstrates the importance of this day, not just as a critical moment for the Second World War and the lives of many, but also as the largest seaborne invasion in history.

What happened in the build up to the Normandy Landings?

The Normandy Landings began the invasion of Nazi-Germany occupied areas, beginning at France, and was intended to involve its liberation. Leading up to the invasion, to prepare, troops and equipment began to assemble in Britain. Bombing also increased in German territories in order to hinder any progress of the German army. In the lead up to the invasion is that the Allied forces attempted, and can be said to have succeeded, in deceiving the Germans. In order to keep secret the plans of their invasion, the Allies duped the Germans into making it appear like they were going to attack north of Normandy instead.  The Allies had wanted to wait to begin the invasion when there was good weather, and high tide, however the invasion continued despite overcast skies, on June 6 1944.

What happened in the course of the Normandy Landings and invasion? 

Paratroopers were initially dropped inland, making way for the main part of the invasion where forces landed on the beach. Next, nearly 6,000 amphibious ships and warships crossed the English Channel,  the warships beginning to bomb the beaches from the water. Soon this force approached the beaches of Normandy. Landings took place at the Omaha and Utah beaches, among others, with the fighting at Omaha beach being particularly fierce, with many US soldiers losing their lives, though securing victory over the beach eventually. By June 17th over half a million Allied troops had arrived and victory was becoming more likely as the Germans were thwarted. Eventually the Soviets advanced from the East and closed in on German-occupied areas and the Second World War was beginning to enter the stage where it would grind to a halt. Another landing in Southern France in August secured the French liberation. 

The Movement of Forces in the Normandy Landings

Why was the Normandy Landings and Invasion so victorious? 

It is clear to see that the Normandy Landings was a success, however was its victory a result of German failure or rather was it a result of the strength of the Allied forces? Could it be the failure of the Germans? Maybe it was the German preparation along the Atlantic Wall that were at fault, only partially finished, allowing the infiltrated Allied invasion. However it is more believable to be the strength of the Allied forces. Transportation infrastructure in German-occupied areas was severely disrupted by Allied bombers ad French resistance. The Allied forces also successfully duped the Germans. Among many other reasons, it can be seen that the Normandy Landings were victorious due to the strength of the Allied forces. 

The Normandy Landings will forever be remembered for generations to come, especially for the countries involved. The lives that were damaged, lost and lived through this crucial invasion should never be forgotten. 

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