Operation Neptune Essay

The Battle of Normandy occurred on June 6, 1944. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history involving nearly three million troops. At the time of the invasion, the future battle was the most “heavily guarded secret on the planet” (Bos, Carole). Britain banned travel to Ireland beginning on March 12, 1944 to avoid leaking the invasion date. As part of Operation Neptune, it began on June 6, 1944 and ended June 30, 1944 once a firm foothold was established. Operation Neptune was the first phase of Operation Overlord which began on June 6, 1944 and ended in August with Germany in full retreat from France. By September Allied momentum was slowed as the Germans began a failed counter offensive, which drained German manpower and resources,

It began with more than three hundred planes dropping over 13,000 bombs, and continued with six parachute regiments of more than 13,000 men cutting railroad lines, blowing up bridges, and seizing landing fields. Small tanks, light artillery, jeeps, and men were also brought in behind enemy lines by gliders. To assist in planning for the operation, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) held a “competition for French beach holiday photographs” (24 Facts…). This allowed for the gathering of intelligence on suitable beaches for landings. Soil samples were also gathered by engineers who were able creep into the beaches at night on mini subs. The planning of operation was crucial to its success, and was so thorough that Allied forces knew it had to take place in the Spring during a full

Though successful, the fighting resulted in numerous casualties on both sides. The American landing at Utah totaled 589 casualties. The landing at Omaha led to 3,686 casualties. The British landings on Gold and Sword totaled 2,327 casualties, and Canadian forces massed 1,242 casualties while engaged at Juno. American D-Day fatalities numbered 2,499 and other allied nations totaled 1,914. Total casualties for all allied forces were over 10,000 according to D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. From April through May 1944, allied air forces lost nearly 12,000 men and over 2,000 aircraft conducting operations in support of D-Day. Of the14,674 sorties that were flown during the battle, 127 were lost. Naval losses for the month of June included 24 warships sunk, 35 merchantmen or auxiliaries sunk, and 120 vessels damaged. By the time the Battle of Normandy was over, French civilian casualties were estimated between 15,000 and 20,000. During the battle, over 200,000 German troops were wounded, went missing, or were killed; and over 200,000 German soldiers were captured. Today 27 war cemeteries remind the world of the travesty that caused over 110,000 dead from both