The Normandy landings, on “D-Day”, as you may have never seen before.. From the air!
Presented are 12 amazing aerial photographs of D-Day. Almost all were taken on June 6, 1944 during the Normandy landings (first day of the Invasion of Normandy) in France during the Second World War II.
Gain a stunning view from the air on all the beaches: Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Sword Beach, Juno Beach and Utah Beach or on Drop Zone ‘N’.
The Normandy landings (codenamed Operation Neptune) were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II.
The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from German control, and contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front.
Leaving for the Beaches
Aerial photo of ships of the Royal Navy massing off the Isle of Wight before setting off for the Normandy beaches.
Off the Normandy Coast
Consolidated B-24H Liberators of 486th Bombardment Group, US Eighth Air Force, flying over part of the Allied invasion fleet gathered off the Normandy coast, 6 June 1944. They were part of a force despatched on the morning of D-Day to bomb villages which had access roads to the beachheads running through them.
Gold Beach Assault Area
Aerial photo of Gold assault area during the landing of 50th Infantry Division, showing King Red (left), King Green and Jig Red (right) beaches, 6 June 1944. A German anti-tank ditch is visible on the left in front of the village of Ver-sur-Mer.
Aerial photo of the junction of King Red and King Green, Gold Beach assault area, during the landing of 50th Infantry Division, 6 June 1944. The Mont Fleury battery are visible in front of the village of Ver-sur-Mer.
Omaha Beach Assault Area
Aerial photo of the numerous Allied naval craft off Dog and Easy beaches, Omaha assault area, 6 June 1944.
Aerial view of Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, taken 6 June 1944, showing landing of two infantry regiments 18th and 115th, vehicles, and landing craft.
Off Omaha Beach, American Liberty ships – ‘Corn Cobs’ were scuttled to provide a makeshift breakwater during the early days of the invasion.
Juno Beach Assault Area
Aerial photo of the landings on sector Mike, Juno Beach assault area, to the west of Courselles-sur-Mer, 6 June 1944.
An aerial view of a part of the invasion coast at Normandy, France. Overlooking Juno Beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer. The photo was taken from a U.S. Army Air Forces Lockheed F-5 Lightning reconnaissance plane.
Sword Beach Assault Area
Sword beach on 6 June 1944. This image is taken from a Royal Air Force Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron.
Utah Beach Assault Area
Drop Zone ‘N’
Aerial photo of part of 6th Airborne Division’s Drop Zone ‘N’ between Ranville and Amfreville, east of the Orne River, 6 June 1944. Airspeed Horsa gliders can be seen on the Drop Zone, many with their fuselages separated for ease of unloading. The villages of Amfreville and Breville are visible in the top left of the photo.
Is there any chance I could get copies of the Juno Beaches. My fathers LCA could be in them. I am choked up from the prospect.
Fantastic photos
Thank you for these photos…more?
My Dad was there at Omaha Beach on a LST-55 (or 59). Thanks for posting!