Thread by @USNatArchives

On June 6, 1944, American, British, and Canadian forces stormed the 50-mile stretch of coastline in northwest France in the largest seaborne invasion in history. go.usa.gov/xme2s #DDay75

Over 150,000 troops, 7,000 ships, and over 13,000 aircraft were involved. Twenty-four thousand soldiers descended by air, the rest by sea. #DDay75

The massive armada included over 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight Allied countries. The troops were Americans, Britons, and Canadians, but members of the Free French and many other nations also participated. #DDay75

The giant invasion had taken years to organize. Hundreds of thousands of troops had been assembled in southern England and intensively trained for the complicated amphibious action against Normandy. #DDay75

Original caption: “Jeeps Being Driven into the Open Doors of a LCT in Preparation for the Normandy Invasion, 6/1944” #DDay75

catalog.archives.gov/id/12008268

The invention of small "Higgins" boats that could transport military equipment to the beaches without the use of wharves or docks was crucial. This is the patent sketch for Andrew Higgins' landing boat, dated February 15, 1944, just four months before D-Day. #DDay75

The original invasion was scheduled for June 5, but severe weather meant that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had to postpone the operation to the next day. On June 5, Eisenhower spoke to paratroopers in England just before they boarded their airplanes. #DDay75

In his order of the day, Eisenhower emphasized the importance of their mission and wished them good luck. The order was distributed to thousands of Allied soldiers, and is currently on display at the National Archives Museum. go.usa.gov/xmMk6 #DDay75

Eisenhower also drafted a message in case of failure, in which he took full responsibility and praised the actions and bravery of those on the ground. His "In Case of Failure" message is mistakenly dated for "July" 5 instead of "June" 5. @IkeLibrary #DDay75

As they crossed the English channel on @USCG LCIs, soldiers ate K rations and soup from the top of 22mm ready boxes. Original caption: “Ahead lies the coast of France, but for the moment chow is the important thing. You can't fight on a hollow stomach.” #DDay75

Original caption: ”Four Coast Guardsmen, serving as scouts and proceeding in an LCM to the French invasion beach shortly before H Hour, get their heads together and display their full accord with General Sherman on the subject of war.” #DDay75

There were five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France. The beaches were given the code names Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Because of the tides, the attacks on the beaches were not simultaneous. #DDay75

catalog.archives.gov/id/6922052

The first took place at 04:55 at Utah, followed by Omaha, Gold, Juno, and ending at Sword at 07:25. Assault troops waded ashore carrying their equipment. #DDay75

Read the combat interview of seven survivors from Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. catalog.archives.gov/id/596372 #DDay75

Back in Washington, FDR and his advisors waited anxiously for early news about the operation. At 8 am (London time) on June 6, General Eisenhower cabled this top secret preliminary progress report. #DDay75 @FDRLibrary @IkeLibrary

None of the Allies’ first-day objectives had been achieved on June 6, and they suffered heavy casualties: an estimated 10,000 were killed, wounded, or missing in action. Of those, 6,603 were Americans; 2,700 British; and 946 Canadians. #DDay75

Despite their losses, the Allied forces were able to establish a foothold on the beaches that they would continue to consolidate with more fighting. #DDay75

The Allies installed vast landing platforms, like this one at Omaha Beach made by #Seabees, that extended 1000 feet into the Channel. By June 30, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. #DDay75 catalog.archives.gov/id/6682629

As news of the successful invasion was announced to the American people, President Roosevelt called upon his countrymen to join with him in prayer: “Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.” #DDay75 @FDRLibrary

Operation Overlord concluded at the end of August. Paris was liberated on August 25, and German forces retreated across the Seine five days later. Thanks to the success at Normandy, Allied troops were able to lay the foundation for the final defeat of the Nazis. #DDay75

We remember the sacrifices of those who fought at D-Day, and we are honored to hold their stories in safekeeping at the National Archives. You can explore our holdings here: archives.gov/research/milit… #DDay75