06/05/2026
This weekend, let us remember the Greatest Generation as we recount the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day.
On June 5, 1944, despite less-than-ideal weather conditions General Eisenhower ordered more than 1,000 British bombers to drop over 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries in and around Normandy, France in preparation of the invasion on D-Day. This all happened while 3,000 Allied ships were crossing the English Channel in preparation for the of the largest amphibious landing in history.
How big was the D-Day invasion? On June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord was executed with more than 156,000 allied troops executed the largest amphibious landing in history with the assistance of nearly 7,000 ships and landing vessels, more than 13,000 aircraft. They endured miles of fortified beaches with machine guns, artillery and anti-aircraft batteries trying to stop their objective.
The more than 18,000 paratroopers had the most dangerous objectives in the early hours of June 6, to gain control of the areas in the interior of France to secure transportation routes from the beach into France. Due to the heavy anti-aircraft fire, some planes were hit and crashed prior to deployment of paratroopers. The paratroopers that were able to deploy found themselves landing in floodwater up to their chest or higher. This caused the paratroopers to have to re-organize and improvise upon landing.
Though D-Day did not transpire as planned, the invasion was a success. Soon after, the Allies moved 850,000 men and 150,000 vehicles into France and were prepared to continue their march across Europe. The heroism and bravery displayed by allied forces on D-Day and beyond has served as inspiration for troops in future generations.
David Hall
Commander
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