78 years ago today on June 6, 1944, the Allies assaulted the Normandy beaches on D-Day, in the largest naval invasion in human history.
D-DAY NUMBERS
- 160,000 Allied troops
- 12,000 casualties
- 4,415 deaths
- 2,500 American soldiers died (The most of any Allied nation.)
Early in the invasion, the 101st Airborne paradropped behind the lines and assaulted Brécourt Manor, where three of four German 105mm howitzers were aimed at Utah Beach.
The HBO mini-series Band of Brothers depicted the Brécourt battle taking 10-15 minutes, but in reality it took 2-3 hours. Check out a great timeline at wwiidogtags.
D-Day infographic courtesy the Utah Beach museum.
