D-Day and Geography

Sixty-two years ago today the Great Crusade to liberate Europe proper began as Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy. Approximately 10,500 Allied and 6,500 Germans were killed by the end of the day. The liberation of the Nazi-occupied world was in full swing and being paid for in blood.

D-Day in northern France was originally suppose to be June 5, 1944 but was pushed back a day due to bad weather. So June 6 is known now as D-Day in the Anglo world and as Jour-J or Le Choc (The Shock) in France.

If one wishes to know the geography of D-Day the always great Perry-Castaneda map library has a collection of D-Day maps, so does Canada History, and the BBC has some more general World War II maps.

I recommend one reads The Longest Day to gain a sense of the area through the eyes of the people who fought the battle. Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers both give a good feel for Normandy in film.

Category: Historical Geography, Maps