D-Day
The greatest amphibious attack in history. Nearly 175, 000 American, Canadian, and British troops landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, supported by 6, 000 aircraft and 6, 000 naval vessels. At dawn, there was a tremendous air and sea bombardment, which, for the most part, was highly effective. By nightfall, the Allies were ashore on a beachhead that stretched 55 miles. Adolf Hitler's Atlantic Wall, built at enormous expense, had not held up to the Allied landings for even one day.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
