Spencer+Lovrinic

=The invasion of Normandy:= When you are done reading this page, please answer the questions that follow.

After the attack on Pearl harbor, the generals from the United States, Canada, and Great Britiain were debating over an invasion point for the allies to start their campaign against Nazi Germany. They came to the conclusion that Normandy would be best. However, German armies had conqured most of Europe, so the Allies were expecting heavy casulaties. One general came up with the idea that the Allies should trick the Germans to think that they would land somewhere else. To do this, the allies used fake radio signals to make Hitler think that the Allied forces would land on the beaches of Par de Calais, near the Dover Straits.
 * Before the landing:**

Before the Allies had landed on Normandy, B-17's and P-51's were bombing the coast of Normandy to destroy most of the defenses so that the casualties wouldn't be so high. Many soldiers were relieved because they thought that they would have a better chance of survivng this battle. All of the soldiers from the Army and Marines went through intense training because they knew that a tought battle would be fought. To help reduce casualties even more, tank divisions helped in the landing.To find out more about Normandy click [|here.]

D-Day was originally planned to take place on June 5th, 1944, however, due to bad weather the landing date was delayed for 1 day. On June 6th, thosands of landing craft were racing to the shores of Normandy. 156,000 men were ready for action! It seemed that the fake radio signals sent to Par de Calais did their job because the beaches' defenses have lightened quite a bit, at least all of the tanks have moved to the other location. However not all of the defenses were gone. Machine gun pillboxes and mines were still there. John Smith, a soldier from the 9th infantry division explained. "It was like //**hell,**// there was death all around me. I saw men looking for their torn off arms and legs. Not to mention the dead in the water, which was covered in blood."
 * The invaison:**

The invasion was a huge success for the Allies. The Allied command had estimated around 12,000 men to die on D-Day alone. However, only 10,000 people died on D-Day. This battle was the starting point for the Allied campaign to defeat the German army. Supreme General of the Allies Dwight D. Eisenhower quoted, "I never had any doubt in my men." However, Adolpf Hitler was furious! Just as planned, he thought that the Allies would land on the beaches of Par de Calais.
 * Aftermath:**

The battle of Normandy was very successful because the men that had fought led the way to defeat Germany. On a cliff off of Omaha Beach, where the Allies saw the most casulaties, is a cemetary for all of the men who had gave their lives. It is called Normandy American Cemetary. I am proud to say that my grandfather took part in this historic battle.
 * Conclusion:**



1. What was the invasion like?

2. How did the Allies trick Hitler to think that the Allies would land on the beaches of Par de Calais?

3. How many soldiers died on D-Day alone?