June 5, 1944, Allies prepare for D-Day

[shanneba]

On June 5, 1944, more than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries placed at the Normandy assault area, while 3,000 Allied ships cross the English Channel in preparation for the invasion of Normandy—D-Day.

The day of the invasion of occupied France had been postponed repeatedly since May, mostly because of bad weather and the enormous tactical obstacles involved.

Finally, despite less-than-ideal weather conditions—or perhaps because of them—General Eisenhower decided on June 5 to set the next day as D-Day, the launch of the largest amphibious operation in history. Ike knew that the Germans would be expecting postponements beyond the sixth, precisely because weather conditions were still poor.

Allies prepare for D-Day | June 5, 1944 | HISTORY

On June 5, 1944, more than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries placed at the Normandy assault area, while 3,000 Allied ships cross the English Channel in preparation for the invasion of Normandy—D-Day. The day of the invasion of occupied France had been...

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[Warrior9(Ret)]

On June 5, 1944, more than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries placed at the Normandy assault area, while 3,000 Allied ships cross the English Channel in preparation for the invasion of Normandy—D-Day.

The day of the invasion of occupied France had been postponed repeatedly since May, mostly because of bad weather and the enormous tactical obstacles involved.

Finally, despite less-than-ideal weather conditions—or perhaps because of them—General Eisenhower decided on June 5 to set the next day as D-Day, the launch of the largest amphibious operation in history. Ike knew that the Germans would be expecting postponements beyond the sixth, precisely because weather conditions were still poor.

Allies prepare for D-Day | June 5, 1944 | HISTORY

On June 5, 1944, more than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries placed at the Normandy assault area, while 3,000 Allied ships cross the English Channel in preparation for the invasion of Normandy—D-Day. The day of the invasion of occupied France had been...

www.history.com

Unfortunately, most of the bombing runs missed their intended target areas. Another failure were those ship launched rocket barrages falling short of hitting the beach defense firing positions.

 

[Recusant]

Unfortunately, most of the bombing runs missed their intended target areas. Another failure were those ship launched rocket barrages falling short of hitting the beach defense firing positions.

One of my dad's best friends landed in the second wave as part of the 116th infantry regiment. They had been told that the beach would be cratered by the bombings, but he used to lament that the beach was "slick" and there was no cover. He somehow made it through that day and was wounded several days later and spent the rest of the war in a hospital.

 

[Warrior9(Ret)]

One of my dad's best friends landed in the second wave as part of the 116th infantry regiment. They had been told that the beach would be cratered by the bombings, but he used to lament that the beach was "slick" and there was no cover. He somehow made it through that day and was wounded several days later and spent the rest of the war in a hospital.

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Yes Sir. Having set down a sipped on the suds with some Infantrymen who landed on those beaches on that faithful day I can tell you that they were driven by pride and patriotism to get off those beaches and kill Nazis