HISTORY

What countries participated in D-Day? The US allies that were part of the Normandy landings

Thursday, June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France during World War II.

Aaron Chownvia REUTERS

On Thursday, June 6, the world marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the day when the Allied forces launched a massive amphibious invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France, during World War II.

This operation, codenamed Operation Overlord, was a pivotal moment in the war and marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

The primary goal of D-Day was to establish a strong Allied foothold in Normandy, from which they could advance into occupied France and eventually liberate Western Europe from Nazi control.

In the wee hours of June 6, 1944, Allied forces parachuted into different areas in northern France, while ground troops arrived at five beaches. The end of this day saw the Allies establishing a presence on the coast and beginning their march into France, although the operation came at the steep cost of many lives lost.

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What countries participated in D-Day? The US allies that were part of the Normandy landings

The invasion required extensive planning and coordination among the Allied forces, with months invested in the preparation of logistics, training, and gathering intelligence.

The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada led the landings on the beaches, but D-Day was an international effort to establish a beachhead in Normandy.

The coordination among various countries resulted in one of the most complex military operations in history, bringing to the fore the bravery and determination of the Allied forces.

According to Imperial War Museum, American, British and Canadian forces were joined by troops from the following countries:

  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • The Czech Republic
  • France
  • Greece
  • The Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
  • Poland

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