The Battle of Normandy or Operation Overlord was a three part operation designed to open a second front in Europe and relieve pressure off of the Soviet Forces on the German Eastern front. The first part of the operation was to decieve the enemy. Thus Operation Fortitude was employed, designed to withdraw substantial amounts of forces from Normandy away to where the Germans believed an invasion was imminent. Inflatable tanks and canvas artillery were created and placed near the Pas-de-Calais where German recon planes could easily spot them.
Operation Neptune
With these forces drawn away, plans were made to invade Normandy. The second part of the operation was to invade and cut off supply lines. The Airborne Divisions were brought in for the job. On late June 5 and early June 6, the 101st, 82nd, and several other Airborne divisions parachuted into Northern France to cut off German reinforcements, capture key bridges, and destroy oil and ammunition depots. The Airborne would hold their postions until relieved by the Infantry Divisions landing on the beaches.
Assault Phase of Operation Overlord
Early in the morning, the 2nd Rangers Battalion landed at Point-du-Hoc in order to capture 6 155mm gun batteries. These batteries would inflict severe damage on both Utah and Omaha beaches and thus needed to be taken out. With Point-Du-Hoc captured, the landings started and over 1000 LCI(Landing Craft Infantry) landed up onto each of the beaches and started their assault. The beach landings, Gold, Sword, Juno, and Utah, went pretty smoothly with the exception of Omaha beach, where the American forces were cut down by continuous enemy fire until noon.
Importance
With the tip of Northern France secure, the Allied forces pushed their way into Europe opening a second front. Without the Battle of Normandy, there is little doubt that the Allies would have never reached Germany. Following Operation Overlord, the Allies took several strategic towns and points in France and fought their way to Paris and eventually Berlin.
