D-Day, June 6, 1944, was the beginning of the Allied invasion of Northwest Europe in World War II. After nearly a year of training and the collection of supplies, ships and troops in southern England, army, naval and air forces of Britain, Canada and the United States set out to invade the heavily fortified and defended coast of Normandy.
Five beaches were targeted for landings: on the west, the Americans were assigned to Omaha and Utah beaches; in the centre, the British were to take Gold beach and the Canadians Juno Beach; and on the east, the British had Sword beach as a target.
By the end of D-Day, most intermediate objectives were met and the Allies were back in Europe.
Approximately 14,000 Canadians landed in Normandy on D-Day, about 450 jumped by parachute or landed by glider, and around 10,000 sailors of the RCN participated. Estimates vary, but there were over 1000 Canadian casualties, with more than 400 killed.
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