The landings

After nearly two years of detailed planning, the date for D-Day was finally set for 5 June 1944. Bad weather delayed the operation for a day, but on 6 June nearly 175,000 Allied troops and more than 50,000 vehicles were sent into action. This massive invasion force was carried across the Channel by some 5,000 ships, supported by around 11,000 aircraft. Winston Churchill called it 'the most difficult and complicated operation ever to take place'.

Facing the Allied forces was the German 7th Army, complete with a mobile armoured panzer division in reserve; and to the west the German 15th Army, with five panzer divisions in support. Added to these were a large number of Kriegsmarine (navy) units on the shore and a range of specialist anti-aircraft and anti-tank groups.

The Germans were handicapped by the fact that they didn't know where any Allied landings would take place. Indeed, as a result of elaborate Allied deceptions, Hitler himself was convinced that the main attack would be at the Pas-de-Calais, the narrowest crossing between England and France. Consequently, some of the best German forces were deployed with this in mind.

Early on the morning of 6 June, the invasion began along a 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast. While paratroopers and glider forces secured key roads and bridges behind the main defensive lines, Allied landing craft approached the five beaches (codenamed Utah, Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold) that had been chosen as the main landing points.

The US 4th Division landed at Utah Beach and the 1st and 29th Divisions at Omaha Beach. The 2nd and 5th US Rangers were given the task of taking the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, between Utah and Omaha, while the Canadian forces landed at Juno Beach. The British landed at Sword and Gold Beaches.

Time Team focused its attention for its D-Day Special on the stories of some of the troops who fought their way ashore at Gold Beach.

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