June 6, 1944 – British, Canadian, French, Polish, Australian and American ground, sea and air forces begin the assault of Hitler’s Fortress Europe.  The Allied forces under command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower were about to begin what would be remembered as D-Day or ”The Longest Day“.

Operation Overlord as the Normandy Landings were code-named, began in the early hours well before dawn with British and American Airborne and glider troops landing behind the beaches to secure vital bridges and causeways.  Their landings, though scattered and disorganized achieved tactical surprise, causing great confusion among the German defenders and accomplishing crucial objectives.

Though Allied bombers had pounded the area of and behind the beaches before the landings commenced, the majority of the formidable defenses remained intact and ready for the troops as they arrived.

The landing area was divided into five beaches.  The British, Canadians and Australians landed at Sword, Gold and Juno while American troops landed on Omaha and Utah with Army Rangers climbing the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc.

Tomes have been written about the events of this day and the brave men who flew over the beaches, parachuted into flooded fields or waded ashore under withering machinegun fire.  I won’t even try to recount these exploits.  What we at Flightline Fabrications want to do is give our respect and gratitude to those courageous men, especially to the estimated 2500 who never left Normandy, having given their last full measure of devotion.

If you or someone you know have first hand memories of this or any other historic event, whether you served in the military or as a civilian, Flightline Fabrications Living History Project wants to hear from you.  Please contact the Living History Project with your remembrances.  Your experiences and memories are important and should be retained and shared.