Remembering D-Day

Code-named 'Operation Overlord,' the Allied invasion of Normandy was a massive logistical effort involving nearly 156,000 troops and more than 12,000 aircraft.

Wednesday, June 05, 2024 at 11:35 AM ET

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On D-Day, Douglas C-47 troop carrying plans of the 9th AF, towing gliders loaded with airborne infantry are on the way to the French coast to participate in the initial assault behind enemy lines. [Courtesy: National Archives and Records Administration]

Key Takeaways:

D-Day (Operation Overlord), on June 6, 1944, was a massive and complex Allied invasion of Normandy, France, involving nearly 156,000 troops, thousands of ships, and 13,000 aircraft, marking a critical turning point in World War II.
The operation was a monumental logistical and engineering feat, executed in five phases, beginning with midnight paratrooper drops, followed by deceptive maneuvers, bombardments, and coordinated beach landings.
Crucial aircraft like the C-47 transports were hastily painted with distinctive black and white "invasion stripes" on their wings and fuselage to prevent friendly fire from Allied forces.
The 80th anniversary of D-Day is being commemorated with vintage WWII aircraft, often displaying these historical invasion stripes, participating in flyovers and airshows in France.

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June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, in 1944. Code-named Operation Overlord, it was a massive logistical effort involving nearly 156,000 American, British, Canadian, free French, and Polish troops landing on five beaches along the coast of France.

The invasion required advances in engineering and logistical planning as well as coordination of thousands of troops, ships, and aircraft to make it work.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.