Normandie 1944

 

Protected by barrage balloons against enemy fighters, troops from England head towards one of the American beaches on the coast of France.
Protected by barrage balloons against enemy fighters, troops from England head towards one of the American beaches on the coast of France.
Operation "Overlord". 6 June 1944
Operation "Overlord". 6 June 1944
Somewhere in the South of England From the beginning of the month of January 1944, England became one gigantic army camp. All the villages changed little by liggle, and the countryside was dotted with camps where hundreds of thousands of men, equipment and material were concentrated ready for D-Day.
Somewhere in the South of England From the beginning of the month of January 1944, England became one gigantic army camp. All the villages changed little by liggle, and the countryside was dotted with camps where hundreds of thousands of men, equipment and material were concentrated ready for D-Day.
Three of the great military leaders of World War II somewhere in Europe during the month of July 1944: from the left to the right, General Patton, commander of III US Army, with his famous six-shooters - General Bradley, commander I US Army Group - General Montgomery, commander XXI British Army Group.
Three of the great military leaders of  World War II somewhere in Europe during the month of July 1944: from the left to the right, General Patton, commander of III US Army, with his famous six-shooters - General Bradley, commander I US Army Group - General Montgomery, commander XXI British Army Group.
Little by little enourmous quantities of material were zccumulated in England to sustain the Allies' immense offensive.
Little by little enourmous quantities of material were zccumulated in England to sustain the Allies'  immense offensive.
The Free French Forces were equipped with American tanks, notably the famous Shermans.
The Free French Forces were equipped with American tanks, notably the famous Shermans.
Avro-Lancaster bombers take off for a sortie over the coast of France.
Avro-Lancaster bombers take off for a sortie over the coast of France.
Under a smoke screen, allied troups train for their complex landing operations on beaches modelled exactly on those they are to encounter.
Under a smoke screen, allied troups train for their complex landing operations  on beaches modelled exactly on those they are to encounter.
In England, an immense supply depot, ready to embark material and vehicles.
In England, an immense supply depot, ready to embark material and vehicles.
Under camouflage netting, at anchor in English ports, hundreds of landing crafts, several days before June 6th 1944.
Under camouflage netting, at anchor in English ports, hundreds of landing crafts, several days before June 6th 1944.
Men, material and vehicles completely cover the embarkation docks of an English port waiting for the order which will take them to the other side of the English Channel. The apparent disorder will quickly change into an impressive war machine.
Men, material and vehicles completely cover the embarkation docks of an English port waiting for the order which will take them to the other side of the English Channel. The apparent disorder will quickly change into an impressive war machine.
Men, material and vehicles completely cover the embarkation docks of an English port waiting for the order which will take them to the other side of the English Channel. The apparent disorder will quickly change into an impressive war machine.
One of the bunkers on the Atlantic Wall equipped with a heavy gun.
One of the bunkers on the Atlantic Wall equipped with a heavy gun.
Along the Channel on the coast of France, sentries mount guard night and day from the fortifications and pill boxes set up at intervals on the beaches. This line ran from Denmark to the Spanish frontier and was designed to absorb the first impact of the landings in order that the armoured reserves could group and mount a counteroffensive.
Along the Channel on the coast of France, sentries mount guard night and day from the fortifications and pill boxes set up at intervals on the beaches. This line ran from Denmark to the Spanish frontier and was designed to absorb the first impact of the landings in order that the armoured reserves could group and mount a counteroffensive.
The Germans set up pill boxes, equipped with machine guns and observation bunkers. They laid thousands of mines as well as camouflaged concrete bunkers near houses. Stakes, equipped or not with mines were planted to hole the landing crafts in the first assault.
The Germans set up pill boxes, equipped with machine guns and observation bunkers. They laid thousands of mines as well as camouflaged concrete bunkers near houses. Stakes, equipped or not with mines were planted to hole the landing crafts in the first assault.
The Atlantic wall as seen by Nazi propaganda.
The Atlantic wall as seen by Nazi propaganda.
The Germans used heavy artillery on rails which allowed them to reach the south coast of England across from the narrowest point of the English Channel. These guns, theorically, would prevent the invasion fleet from approaching.
The Germans used heavy artillery on rails which allowed them to reach the south coast of England across from the narrowest point of the English Channel. These guns, theorically, would prevent the invasion fleet from approaching.
The Germans used heavy artillery on rails which allowed them to reach the south coast of England across from the narrowest point of the English Channel. These guns, theorically, would prevent the invasion fleet from approaching.
Field-marshal Rommel, renowed for his exploits with the AfrikaKorps, was appointed by Hitler to head Army Group B (Channel forces) and made many tours of inspection to the different sectors of his command.
The troops of the fortified establishments took part in many exercises.
Rommel inspects the barbed wire and stakes of the beach defences.
Rommel inspects the barbed wire and stakes of the beach defences.
Wearing the helmets that made them famous, a combat unit receives its final orders before going into battle. In the foreground, a sergeant.
Wearing the helmets that made them famous, a combat unit receives its final orders before going into battle. In the foreground, a sergeant.
Wearing the helmets that made them famous, a combat unit receives its final orders before going into battle. In the foreground, a sergeant.
The Anglo-American convoy consisted of more than 5000 boats, seen here heading for the French coast. This one raised anchor on Sunday June 4th at 07 00 a.m. but, because of unfavourable weather, the operation was postponed until June 6th.
The Anglo-American convoy consisted of more than 5000 boats, seen here heading for the French coast. This one raised anchor on Sunday June 4th at 07 00 a.m. but, because of unfavourable weather, the operation was postponed until June 6th.
Martin B-26 Pathfinders fly over the convoys towards France to bomb targets on the coast and in the interior.
Martin B-26 Pathfinders fly over the convoys towards France to bomb targets on the coast and in the interior.
June 6th at first light: landing crafts head for the beaches through choppy seas.
June 6th at first light: landing crafts head for the beaches through choppy seas.
Paratroopers had to accomplish vital missions. The general staff expected heavy losses. A few hours before the start General Eisenhower visited several of these units, here the 82nd Airborne Division.
Paratroopers had to accomplish vital missions. The general staff expected heavy losses. A few hours before the start General Eisenhower visited several of these units, here the 82nd Airborne Division.
The Germans made several sorties against the American fleet. Under the withering barrage of the anti-aircraft guns, they sunk but few of the boats
The Germans made several sorties against the American fleet. Under the withering barrage of the anti-aircraft guns, they sunk but few of the boats.
Inside the C-47 which will transport them across the Channel the paratroop units wind themselves up for the physical and psychological test to come: the jump. If the paratrooper survived this, he then had to affront the terrain at night and the enemy.
Inside the C-47 which will transport them across the Channel the paratroop units wind themselves up for the physical and psychological test to come: the jump. If the paratrooper survived this, he then had to affront the terrain at night and the enemy.
A large number of the gliders used in the airborne operations were destroyed on landing. Here three can be seen clearly near Pegasus Bridge in the British sector.
A large number of the gliders used in the airborne operations were destroyed on landing. Here three can be seen clearly near Pegasus Bridge in the British sector.
The British 6th Division deployed between the Orne and la Dives to the north-west of Caen. It takes and holds Ranville and the bridge at Benouville later known as "Pegasus Bridge" after the cap badge of the airborne troops. Units of the British 3rd Infantry Division came up in support during the day.
The British 6th Division deployed between the Orne and la Dives to the north-west of Caen. It takes and holds Ranville and the bridge at Benouville later known as "Pegasus Bridge" after the cap badge of the airborne troops. Units of the British 3rd Infantry Division came up in support during the day.
At the mouth of the Orne, the German defences are pounded by the Allied fleet. In the foreground, the coastal defences which consist of a heavy gun in a concrete shelter surrounded by barbed wire and concrete obstacles. The barrage from the Allied fleet commenced at 05 50 a.m. The Allied batteries consisted of 62 guns of 305 mm, 381 mm and 406 mm as well as 500 medium guns of 102 mm to 203 mm.
At the mouth of the Orne, the German defences are pounded by the Allied fleet. In the foreground, the coastal defences which consist of a heavy gun in a concrete shelter surrounded by barbed wire and concrete obstacles. The barrage from the Allied fleet commenced at 05 50 a.m. The Allied batteries consisted of 62 guns of 305 mm, 381 mm and 406 mm as well as 500 medium guns of 102 mm to 203 mm.
H.M.S. Warspite fires a salvo from its impressive 15 inch guns, which could pound tartets 25 kilometres inland. The German troops and particularly their armoured units hold bitter memories of these thunderous barrages which chewed up everything in their part.
H.M.S. Warspite fires a salvo from its impressive 15 inch guns, which could pound tartets 25 kilometres inland. The German troops and particularly their armoured units hold bitter memories of these thunderous barrages which chewed up everything in their part.
Air cover in support of the naval bombardment. Enemy defences seemed crushed under the pounding of heavy and medium bombers (Liberators). Despite their apparent efficiency these operations did not always hit their targets, often being hindered by the low cloud ceiling. This was to give the assault troops on the beaches some unpleasant surprises.
Air cover in support of the naval bombardment. Enemy defences seemed crushed under the pounding of heavy and medium bombers (Liberators). Despite their apparent efficiency these operations did not always hit their targets, often being hindered by the low cloud ceiling. This was to give the assault troops on the beaches some unpleasant surprises.
To the stern of the warships, Canadian troops of the Régiment de la Chaudière board landing craft from H.M.C.S. Prince David and head for Bernières-sur-Plage on Juno Beach
To the stern of the warships, Canadian troops of the Régiment de la Chaudière board landing craft from H.M.C.S. Prince David and head for Bernières-sur-Plage on Juno Beach