There are no unimportant battles in WWII, but certainly one of the most pivotal that turned the tide of the war was the Battle of Normandy.
From the start of the Normandy landings in June to the conclusion of the battle in August, the combined battle casualties exceeded 500,000. Still, the D-Day invasion of these five French beaches was nothing short of a miraculous military operation.
Here’s a quick history lesson detailing Normandy’s D-Day beaches, as well as how you can visit these memorial sites on your next visit to France.
Image Credit: Getty Images, James Dean. Image Location: Juno Beach, Normandy, France.
Operation Neptune: Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches
What was D-Day?
D-Day refers to June 6, 1944, when the Allied forces stormed five beaches in France’s Normandy region. It was the largest amphibious invasion in military history, utilizing troops via land, sea, and air in what was codenamed Operation Neptune. The goal of storming the D-Day beaches was to move Allied troops eastward to liberate France and defeat Germany. The full campaign is known as Operation Overlord.
Why was Normandy beach selected for D-Day?
Allied troops were departing from the United Kingdom, and although the shortest distance from the UK across the English Channel to France was Pas-de-Calais, it was heavily defended. Normandy’s 50-mi stretch of coastline was chosen as an alternative landing site that was less guarded yet still in close range of the UK.
Image Credit: Getty Images, dcrooke. Image Location: Omaha Beach, Normandy, France.
Where is Normandy in France?
Normandy is located in the northwestern part of France along the English Channel. It’s approximately 3 hours away from Paris by train, leaving from Paris St-Lazare and arriving in Bayeux.
How many beaches did the Allies storm on D-Day?
Five beaches were invaded during D-Day. The five Normandy D-Day beaches were Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach. All of these beaches are still active beaches where locals and visitors alike can enjoy a day along the seaside while paying their respects to these historical sites.
How long did Operation Overlord last?
Operation Overlord lasted from June 6, 1944, until August 30, 1944. The actual invasion of the Normandy beaches, called Operation Neptune, started on June 6 and ended on June 30, 1944.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Florent MARTIN. Image Location: Utah Beach, Normandy, France.
Normandy D-Day beaches
Utah Beach
Nearest train station: Carentan
Utah Beach is the westernmost of Normandy’s D-Day beaches. The invasion had fewer casualties compared to other invasion sites on D-Day, thanks in part to strong currents pushing the troops into an area lacking significant defenses. Airborne troops joined those invading from the water, dropping into the nearby causeways to provide the invading troops a secure way to move inland from the beach.
Omaha Beach
Nearest train station: Bayeux
To the east of Utah Beach is Omaha Beach, the heaviest defended area of the shoreline. Omaha Beach D-Day saw many more casualties than Utah Beach, specifically because the occupying German forces had a tactical advantage with their station atop the cliffs. The Allied troops occupied a portion of the beach but were unsuccessful in advancing beyond the shoreline. The Omaha Beach Memorial Museum is located a five-minute walk from the beach.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Olivier Rault. Image Location: Gold Beach, Normandy, France.
Gold Beach
Nearest train station: Bayeux
The center of the D-Day landing beaches, Gold Beach was a landing spot for the British military and sustained approximately twice the casualties as those on Utah Beach. Airborne and naval assaults on the beach prior to the physical invasion weakened German defenses, allowing for the British to secure the beachhead.
Juno Beach
Nearest train station: Bayeux
Juno Beach belonged to the Canadian forces by the end of the night, but their D-Day battle wasn’t quick. The group sustained heavy losses thanks to strong German defenses and a rising tide that disrupted the operation.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Florent MARTIN. Image Location: Sword Beach, Normandy, France.
Sword Beach
Nearest train station: Caen | Dives-Cabourg
The easternmost of Normandy’s D-Day beaches, Sword Beach presented the invading British troops with many of the same issues that the Canadian forces encountered on Juno Beach. The troops were able to secure the beach, but failed to overtake the inland city of Caen, which was their primary objective.
Planning a trip to Normandy?
Here’s a guide on how to visit Normandy’s D-Day beaches by train. Give it a look then download the Trainline app to snag tickets at the lowest prices available.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Michael Mulkens. Image Location: Omaha Beach, Normandy, France.