South West Illinois News

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of German-occupied Normandy, France, in the largest amphibious assault in world history, now known as "D-Day." Codenamed "Operation Overlord," Allied forces coordinated for months to create a plan to break through the Nazi entrenchment known as the Atlantic Wall, a line of defenses that spanned across France and up to Norway. To maintain secrecy, they created a fake invasion plan titled "Operation Bodyguard" to mislead Nazi forces about their landing location.

The United States and its allies aimed to land on five different positions along Normandy’s coast: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Despite careful planning, Operation Overlord faced challenges from the start. Originally scheduled for June 5, poor weather conditions forced a delay until the following day. Even then, many vessels were pushed off course by turbulent waters. The troops that made it ashore were immediately pinned down by fortified German machine gunners and mortar teams who had seen through the Allied attack and fake plans within Operation Bodyguard.

American and other Allied troops splashed through the waters of northwestern France to reach Normandy's beaches and began fighting for control of this strategic battleground. During the battle, more than 4,400 Allied troops lost their lives; 2,500 of them were American.

Thanks to well-coordinated strategy, naval and aerial support, and collaborative efforts by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations, Normandy's beachhead was eventually captured after a prolonged battle with German forces. In facing adversity head-on across hundreds of yards of poorly covered beaches to eliminate Axis forces and defend cherished freedoms.

The successful operation is widely considered a turning point in the European theater of World War II. It marked the beginning of an Allied liberation campaign across Europe that led to the eventual downfall of the Third Reich. Eight decades later, the skill and bravery demonstrated by the 73,000 U.S. troops who participated in Operation Overlord stand as solemn examples of heroism.

As we continue to cherish our liberties today, it is important to honor those who sacrificed their lives on Normandy's beaches 80 years ago. The Illinoisans who paid this ultimate price are commemorated at the WWII Illinois Veterans Memorial in Springfield.