4. Allied Commanders General Dwight Eisenhower; Supreme Commander Allied Forces American General that served as Allied Commander One of the main planners of D-Day Went on to become 34th President of the United States Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery British General that served as allied ground forces commander One of the main planners of D-day Celebrated Tank Commander, fought in N. Africa
6. German commanders GeneralfelmarschallGerd von Rundstedt Commanded Army Group South during the Russian Campaign Commanded forces on the Western Front Escaped War Crimes conviction due to poor health Field Marshall Erwin Rommel “Desert Fox” Famous for command in N. Africa Commanded German Forces opposing the channel invasion His troops were never accused of war crimes
8. 24,000 paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines before initial invason Operation Tonga British 6th Airborne with elements of Canadian, French and Polish paratroopers American Landings 101st, 82nd Airborne Divisions Objective of both landings were to disable German artillery from firing on the landings Airborne landings
9. British 3rd Infantry Division with support from Free French Forces 28,845 soldiers Objective was to take the French City of Caen Casualties At least 680 Sword
10. US 4th Infantry Division 32,000 soldiers Right Flank of the Allied Assault Casualties 200 Utah
11. US 1st Infantry Division with elements of the 29th Infantry Division and Army Rangers 43,250 soldiers Most difficult of all Normandy beach heads Casualties 3,000 Omaha
12. British 50th Infantry Division 24,970 soldiers Objectives were to take the towns of Le Hamel and Arromanches Casualties 400 Gold
13. Canadian 3rd Infantry Division 21,400 soldiers “The Canadian Beach” Juno was the only beach tasked to Canadian Forces Casualties 340 Dead 739 Wounded Juno
14. Results Resounding Allied Victory Normandy Beach head was secured and troops and equipment were brought in for the inland push Paris surrendered by the Germans on August 25th Casualties Allied: 10,000 German: 4,000-9,000
15. Battle of Normandy in pop culture The Longest Day 1962 Starring John Wayne Based on the book by Cornelius Ryan Saving Private Ryan 1998 Directed by Steven Spielberg Starring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon Won an Academy Award Band of Brothers 2001 Directed by Steven Spielberg HBO Mini-series based on the book by Stephen Ambrose