These Incredible Photos Show The Allies Preparing for D-Day

On 6 June 1944, Allied forces launched Operation 'Overlord', the largest amphibious invasion in history. The objective, to capture key sites behind the beaches and to secure the flanks of the assault areas. Discover an insightful collection of bird's eye photographs showing the events of D-Day.

On 6 June 1944, two naval task forces landed over 132,000 ground troops on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation 'Neptune', the seaborne invasion of northern France. The Western Task Force was responsible for the American beaches at Utah and Omaha, and the Eastern Task Force was assigned to the British at Gold, Juno and Sword. 

The invasion of northern France in 1944 was the most significant victory of the Western Allies in the Second World War. The German Army suffered a catastrophe greater than that of Stalingrad, the defeat in North Africa or even the massive Soviet summer offensive of 1944.

By the spring of 1944 Germany had been dominant in western Europe for four years. After defeat in France in 1940 Britain had been too weak to intervene in Europe. In 1942 and 1943 Anglo-American forces concentrated on offensives in North Africa and the Mediterranean, which ruled out a return to northern Europe

On 6 June 1944, two naval task forces landed over 132,000 ground troops on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Neptune, the seaborne invasion of northern France which made D-Day possible. HMS Belfast played a pivotal role in Operation Neptune and the opening bombardment of D-Day. Join IWM curator Nigel Steel on-board the ship to explore the story.