Operation Neptune, the largest amphibious invasion force in history, was the seaborne phase of Operation Overlord. This operation began on June 6, 1944, and ended on June 30, 1944. Allied military leaders believed that a full-scale invasion of Western Europe could spread the German army thin and turn the tide of the war for good.
On June 6, 1944, the Allied Expeditionary Force under the supreme command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, invaded Western Europe with the landings made at Normandy, France. The invasion force was divided between Eastern (British) and Western (American) naval forces, the beaches earmarked for invasion included five beaches designated Sword, Gold, Juno, Omaha, and Utah.
Hours before daylight, over 1000 bombers dropped their payloads on German coastal defenses to soften them up prior to the arrival of the initial assault troops. Additionally, under the cover of darkness, 18,000 American and British paratroopers attempted to drop behind the Nazis’ beachfront bulwarks and cut off key supply roads, bridges and inland defenses.
Shortly after midnight, the American 101st and 82nd airborne divisions parachuted into their prescribed landing zones at the base of the Cotentin peninsula to the west of the invasion area.
The U.S. Navy played a vital role in spearheading the assault on Hitler’s Festung Europa (Fortress Europe), serving in a variety of important roles before, during, and after the landings. Her ships began one of history’s most famous days by bombarding German forces on or near the American invasion beaches code-named Omaha and Utah.
By June 30th, the Allies had established a firm foothold in Normandy — 850,279 men, 148,803 vehicles and 570,505 tons of supplies had been landed.
D-Day (Operation Neptune)
