What happened on D-Day, June 6 1944, as the 80th anniversary is commemorated?

Allied forces take Omaha Beach in Normandy, France during the World War Two D-Day landings in1944. (Picture:Getty Images)

June 6 marks 80 years since the the D-Day landings began on the Normandy beaches of France during World War Two. 

D-Day in 1944 was an important turning point during World War Two and to this day is one of the biggest seaborne invasions in history.

Considered a key component in the defeat of Hitler and his forces during WWII, the D-Day operation against Nazi Germany was a combined effort, and included support from the UK, US and Canada. 

Planning for the D-Day landings, codenamed Operation Overlord, began several months in advance. 

British forces used military deception to mislead the German army of the date and location of the operation, so that what took place on June 6 1944 held some element of surprise.

What happened on D-Day?

D-Day on June 6 1944 marked the date when approximately 156,000 British, American and Canadian forces landed on five different beaches along the coast of France’s Normandy region.

The coastline invaded by the Allied troops stretched over 50 miles and was heavily fortified by Nazi forces at the time, who had occupied France. 

US Troops wading through water after reaching Normandy and landing Omaha beach on D Day, 1944. (Picture: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The invasion of Nazi-occupied France began before dawn on June 6 1944, with paratroopers and glider troops landing in the country from the air in order to secure bridges and roads for Allied forces. 

the D-Day landings on Normandy beaches began at 6:30 a.m with troops wading from the sea to the land whilst battling German resistance from the shore. 

How many people died?

The Allies utilised over 5,000 ships and landing craft over the course of the day to land over 150,000 troops and gain a foothold on the five beaches – codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

It is estimated that 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives during the D-Day invasion, while thousands more were wounded or reported missing after the attack. 

The genealogy website Ancestry found in 2019 that only 25 per cent of the 61,715 soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings ever spoke to family members about the invasion.

The study showed 31 per cent of veterans didn’t want to discuss their role in the historic WWII invasion with family members because they lost too many friends during the battle.

How D-Day veterans are still alive?

80 years after the historic landings and very few of the veterans who participated are still alive to share their stories.

Of the 150,000 troops who took part in the landings, only around 1% of them are still thought to be alive, with around 150 veterans in attendance at the 80th anniversary celebration on Tuesday.

The government said around 40 of the WWII veterans in attendence today at the various events in Normandy were thought to be British.

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