Peoria Standard

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of German-occupied Normandy, France in what became the largest amphibious assault in world history, now known as "D-Day."

Codenamed "Operation Overlord," Allied forces coordinated for months to devise a plan to break through the Nazi entrenchment known as the Atlantic Wall, a line of defenses spanning across France and extending to Norway. To maintain secrecy, they created a fake invasion plan titled "Operation Bodyguard" to mislead Nazi forces about their landing site. The United States and its allies planned to land at five positions on Normandy’s coast: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

Despite careful planning, Operation Overlord encountered problems from the start. Originally scheduled for June 5, poor weather conditions delayed the assault until the following day. Many vessels were pushed off course by turbulent waters. Troops that made it ashore faced immediate resistance from fortified German machine gunners and mortar teams who had seen through parts of Operation Bodyguard. American and other Allied troops splashed through the waters of northwestern France and began fighting for control of this strategic battleground. Over the course of the battle, more than 4,400 Allied troops lost their lives; 2,500 were American.

Thanks to well-coordinated strategy, naval and aerial support, and collaborative efforts by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations, Normandy's beachhead was eventually captured after intense combat with German forces. Allied troops advanced across hundreds of yards of poorly covered beaches to eliminate Axis forces and defend freedoms they deeply cherished.

The successful operation is widely considered a turning point in the European theater of World War II. It initiated the Allied Powers’ liberation campaign across Europe and marked the beginning of the end for the Third Reich. Eight decades later, the skill and bravery demonstrated by the 73,000 U.S. troops who participated in Operation Overlord remain exemplary acts of heroism.

As we continue to cherish our liberties today, we honor those who sacrificed their lives on Normandy's beaches 80 years ago. Illinoisans who paid this ultimate price are commemorated at the WWII Illinois Veterans Memorial in Springfield.