Contents

The Normandy Invasion was very important. About 150,000 troops were involved in the invasion. These troops were commanded by the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. When the invasion succeeded Eisenhower proved he was a good commander and earned the respect of his men. Airborne tactics were used in the invasion. The airborne landings were successful and greatly contributed to the Allie’s win on D-Day. While proving they could fight, the Allied Forces were now in Europe. They had begun to crumble the Nazi Empire. The Normandy Invasion was significant because Eisenhower had success, it was the first battle that used airborne tactics, and the Allies then had a foothold in Europe.

Eisenhower had Success

General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the Supreme Allied Commander during WWII. With the help of others, he designed D-Day. Eisenhower believed that the airborne landings were extremely risky but necessary. Ike had 3 million soldiers under his command. Most of them thought Eisenhower was a good commander. “The troops, the air, and navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone” (Isserman 124). That was Eisenhower’s statement if the invasion failed. Fortunately, the Allies prevailed. The Normandy Invasion was significant because Eisenhower had success and it proved he was a good commander.

Airborne Tactics Used

WWII was the first war to use airborne troops. 16,000 U.S. and 8,000 British airborne troops were used in the Normandy Invasion. The landings on D-Day did not go as planned. Almost all of the paratroopers landed out of their DZ (Drop Zone). This was a mixed blessing. Because the troops were scattered everywhere, the Nazis overestimated how many there actually were. The airborne fought heroically and accomplished their objectives, “ In the early hours of 6 June 1944, two American and one British airborne division began landing in Normandy and, in spite of their scattered drops, managed to achieve their critical objectives” (Clark 2). The paratroopers and glider troops landed before the amphibious landings took place. They were supposed to protect the seaborne troops coming in from the sea, but they confused the Nazis more than protecting the troops. The Normandy Invasion was significant because it was the first war that airborne tactics were used.

The airborne landings on D-Day.

Allies Have Foothold in Europe

Troops preparing to storm the beaches of Normandy.

On June 6, 1944, the beginning of the Normandy Invasion, 150,000 Allied troops landed all over Normandy. To get that massive invasion force there 5,000 sea vessels were used. Before the 6 divisions of troops landed, 11,000 warplanes were used in an attempt to soften the Nazi defenses. After the invasion succeeded, the Allies had a foothold in Europe, “Rommel was right. There was nothing that could stop the Allied Advance now” (Dank 30). The fact that the Allies were in Europe and had an invasion to build off of made the Normandy Invasion significant.

References:

101^st Airborne Troops. APRIL 21, 2008. <http://www.dday-overlord.com>.

Bowden, Mark. Our Finest Day. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2002.

Dank, Milton. Turning Point of WWII: D-Day. New York: Franklin Watts, 1984.

D-DAY. April 30, 2008. <http://fdpg.org>.

D-Day Soldiers. May 1, 2008. <http://newsbusters.org>.

Dwight Eisenhower. April 21, 2008. <http://www.mpg.si.edu>.

First Landings. May 10, 2004. BBC. April 30, 2008. <http://www.bbc.co.uk>.

Isserman, Maurice. World War II. New York City: Facts on File, 1981.

Operation Overlord: D-Day to Paris. May 10, 2004. BBC. April 16, 2008. <http://www.bbc.co.uk>.

Created by Andrew I