This proved the case but thereafter the race was on as to which side could build up a decisive weight of forces in Normandy first. Allied intelligence was superb and so long as the exact location and timing of the invasion remained secret to the Germans, the attackers would achieve tactical surprise when they began landing in Normandy. The Allies had amassed vast forces, but despite the thousands of warships and landing craft, only a fraction of Allied strength could be initially transported across the Channel. The immediate goal was to make sure the invasion was successful. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) What was the goal of D-Day? US troops in landing craft during the D-Day landings. The date was set as 5 June 1944, which was then pushed back a day due to poor weather, to Tuesday 6 June. Finally, in early June 1944, the Allies had the weight of men and materiel as well as control of the skies with which to invade. Gaining air superiority over all of Western Europe was a non-negotiable prerequisite for any invasion and not until the spring of 1944 had that condition been met. Vital airfields were captured in southern Italy, from which Allied strategic air forces (those independent of ground operations) could work in tandem with bomber forces operating from Britain – and so tighten the noose around the Third Reich. With increasingly large Allied forces now in the Mediterranean and with Italy teetering, it made sense to follow up with an assault on Sicily in July 1943 – and after victory there, a further invasion of southern Italy that September.
#D DAY BEACHES MAP CRACK#
The build-up of US forces in Britain began in January 1942, but it soon became clear this new coalition of Britain and the United States was not ready to crack Nazi-occupied Europe any time soon. In December 1941, British and American war leaders met and agreed that the defeat of Nazi Germany was their first priority and that the best way to achieve this was by an invasion of France, using Britain as a launch-pad. The United States had been gearing up for war since the fall of France and when Germany’s Axis partner, Japan, attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, America was finally drawn into the increasingly global conflict.Īn explosion at the Naval Air Station, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941.
#D DAY BEACHES MAP DOWNLOAD#
You can download their D-Day map that includes a key to the numbered sites.British troops on their way to Normandy to take part in the D-Day landings. One of the best maps is produced by the Normandy Tourist board. Places such as cemeteries are usually open over lunchtime. In winter the sites tend to open later or close earlier due to the shorter days. Not all sites are open all year round and some sites close for lunch. Check opening times for museums, visitor centres and batteries where you need a ticket. This will help you to plan your day and the route you’ll take. Then use a map to see how far things are from each other. American forces tackled Utah and Omaha beaches, the Canadians took Juno while the British landed at Gold and Sword. You’ll be able to see photos, read a description, watch videos and get links to the majority of the attractions. Perhaps you have Canadian, American or British family members who fought in the conflict. If you already know which beach you want to visit, you can skip this step. This guide to D-Day gives an overview of each of the beaches and the key sites. There are five beaches, so the first step is to decide which one or ones you want to visit. And they’re dotted around a pretty large area. As well as the five beaches, there are also museums, memorials, bridges, batteries, cemeteries, statues, and sculptures. It can be overwhelming to plan a visit to the Normandy landing beaches.