2019 marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

We highlighted extraordinary stories of D-Day across our sites, including how HMS Belfast, IWM Duxford and Churchill War Rooms played a part in the largest combined naval, air and land operation in the history of warfare.

HMS Belfast led the fleet supporting British and Canadian assaults on Normandy beaches, opening fire at 5.27am on 6 June 1944; American fighter aircraft flew from IWM Duxford in support of D-Day operations and Churchill War Rooms was the nerve centre of strategic decision-making during the Second World War.

What to see at HMS Belfast, IWM Duxford and Churchill War Rooms.

Visit where D-Day history was made

Winston Churchill
Museum

Churchill War Rooms

Explore the underground headquarters that between 1939 - 1945 acted as the top-secret nerve centre from where Churchill and his inner circle determined the course of the Second World War.

IWM Duxford Showcase
©IWM
Museum

IWM Duxford

Visit Imperial War Museum Duxford for a huge day out. See Spitfires take to the skies from the airfield where they first flew, get up close to gigantic aircraft and walk in the footsteps of the men and women who served here.

HMS Belfast
© IWM
Museum

HMS Belfast

Step on board this iconic London landmark. Navigate your way around the rooms of this floating city, climbing up and down ladders to visit all nine decks.

IWM at London Stations

Replica Spitfire at London Bridge Station
©IWM

In June you may have seen our replica Spitfire in London Bridge Station and a mini digital exhibition at London Waterloo as we handed out free limited edition D-Day newspapers.

If you missed the chance to see our Spitfire, visit it and other D-Day aircraft at IWM Duxford.

 

Tea break Puzzle: Crossword and Word Search answers

Instagram competition T&Cs

D-Day 75 logo

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Become an IWM Member

With IWM Membership, enjoy unlimited free admission to HMS Belfast, IWM Duxford and Churchill War Rooms from just £35.

Become an IWM Member now and be part of our D-Day 75 commemorations with exclusive offers, special events and more

Learn More

Troops of the US 7th Corps wading ashore on Utah Beach.
© IWM (EA 51048)
Second World War

The 10 Things you Need to Know about D-Day

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. Codenamed Operation 'Overlord', the Allied landings on the Normandy beaches marked the start of a long and costly campaign to liberate north-west Europe from German occupation.

Airborne troops of 6th Airlanding Brigade admire the graffiti chalked on the side of their Horsa glider at an RAF airfield as they prepare to fly out to Normandy as part of 6th Airborne Division's second lift on the evening of 6 June 1944.
© IWM (H 39178)
D-Day

How D-Day Was Fought From The Air

Shortly after midnight on 6 June, over 18,000 men of the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the British 6th Airborne Division were dropped into Normandy. Allied paratroopers and glider-borne infantry were well trained and highly skilled, but for many this was their first experience of combat. 

British troops moving up to the line during fighting in the Odon valley in Normandy, July 1944
© IWM (B 7427)
Second World War

What Happened after D-Day?

On 6 June 1944, D-Day, Allied troops landed on the coast of Normandy. It was the start of the campaign to liberate Europe and defeat Germany. The Battle of Normandy was a hard-fought campaign. British divisions bore the brunt of German resistance on the eastern flank of the front, enabling US forces to stage a breakout in the west.