D-Day landings – in photos

Remarkable images from the

Remarkable images from the invasion of
Normandy

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The first phase of the operation began shortly after midnight,
as thousands of US and UK paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines,
tasked with capturing strategic points and slowing the German
retreat.

Finally, at 6.30am, around 60,000 US troops
assaulted two beaches along the coast of Normandy, codenamed Utah
and Omaha,

An hour later, UK and Canadian forces stormed
three other beaches, codenamed Juno, Gold and Sword.

The D-Day landings opened the way into
Nazi-occupied France, launching a campaign which would ultimately
bring about the surrender of Germany in May 1945.

However, victory came at a steep cost. Despite
efforts to weaken German defences with naval and aerial bombardment
in the hours before the landing, Allied soldiers faced stiff
resistance in the form of mines, artillery and machine-gun
nests.

At least 4,000 Allied troops were killed on
D-Day, and thousands more wounded. Casualties were heaviest on
Omaha Beach, where rough seas and unexpectedly strong German
defences left US soldiers trapped under enemy fire.

However, all five beaches were successfully
taken: the campaign to liberate Europe from Nazi rule was
afoot.

Here are some of the most unforgettable images from that
day: