Featured: D-Day's 70th Anniversary

Many of us will have been educated about the atrocities of World War II at some point, whether through a history class, a documentary, or a parent. We are taught of the battles that were fought, lost and won by either side in the fight to keep some countries from invading the entirety of their neighbouring countries. We are taught of the hundreds of thousands of people who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

This month, on June 6th, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of perhaps one of the most important turning points of the way – D-Day. Known as the largest invasion by sea currently known to mankind, the Allied invasion of Normandy was started with the landing of troops established to begin the invasion of a Western Europe that had been ravaged by the Axis troops. After 70 years, the bravery of the commanders and soldiers that landed on the beaches of Normandy that morning is still remembered with great importance.

At midnight on the 6th June, 1944, America, Great Britain and Canada sent an airborne attack to the coastline of France, aimed at the regional area of Normandy. These airborne attacks were designed to cripple the Axis powers that had taken control of France, and focused mainly on structural features that would cripple the counter-attacks of troops – bridges, main roads and anything else that could be used to delay a counter-attack were all targeted.

After this was completed, the forces started to pour out onto the beaches of Normandy, starting from an estimated six-thirty start. The forces stormed Sword Beach, Juno Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Utah Beach, and a small team of men were sent to Pointe du Hoc to disable any counter-attack from that side. These men fought valiantly and managed to secure their territory, a feat that saw the start of the Allied invasion of an already German territory. Many believe that the invasion of Normandy kick-started the slope to an Allied victory and the demolition of Adolf Hitler’s regimen.

However, this fight was not without casualties. It is estimated that over 10,000 people were injured or killed in the operation, and almost 2,500 of these casualties died of their injuries. As well as this, there are an unnamed number of French civilians that were killed in the battle to secure the beaches. An estimated 4,000 men were also killed on the German side of the battle.

Although the fight is long over, with the war put behind us, it is important to remember these men that gave their lives fighting for something they believed in so passionately. If not for the invasion of Normandy and the events orchestrated afterwards, the fighting may have gone on for much longer, and the death toll could have risen even higher than it already had. So this month, take a moment to remember those who fought for your freedom, the true heroes that gave their lives so we could live in the comfort we live in today.

Figures and facts sourced from the D-Day Museum website.

Special thanks to silent hearts. and sheepcat; for editing!