80th Anniversary of D-Day

Here at Colour Heroes, we love all aspects of important historical events. Today, on June 6th 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

D-Day, also known as the Normandy landings, marked a pivotal moment during World War II. On June 6, 1944, Allied forces from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom launched an ambitious amphibious assault on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation, codenamed Operation Overlord, aimed to liberate France from Nazi occupation.

Over 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops participated. The objective was to establish a foothold in Normandy and begin the liberation of Europe. The invasion targeted five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. It was a very risky operation as the German defences were formidable, including bunkers, landmines and obstacles. Despite success, around 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives on D-Day.

Within days, over 326,000 troops and massive amounts of equipment had landed. By August 1944, northern France was liberated and the Allies continued their advance

Allied leaders, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, recognised the need for a major invasion to relieve pressure on the Soviet army in the east. The U.S. military shipped 7 million tons of supplies to support the operation.

D-Day remains a testament to courage, sacrifice and the determination to defeat tyranny. D-Day marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. The successful Allied invasion of Normandy shifted the momentum in favour of the Allies. It opened a second front in Europe, putting pressure on German forces and diverting their attention from the Eastern Front. In summary, D-Day was a pivotal moment that shaped the course of World War II and ultimately led to the liberation of Europe.

We describe the D-Day events in our Heroes’ History of World War II. This book delves into the critical moments of World War II, covering everything from the Battle of Britain to the Blitz, VE Day to evacuees and the sacrifices made by millions who fought and died during the conflict. It’s essential to understand this pivotal period in history to honour their memory each Remembrance Day. The book is written for children aged 8 plus and includes key outcomes aligned with the National Curriculum. Topics covered include the rise of Adolf Hitler, Britain’s war with Germany, life during the war (including evacuation, rationing and the Home Guard), D-Day and much more. If you’re interested, you can find it in our Colour Heroes shop.