This images capture a pivotal moment during the Allied invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-Day, on June 6, 1944. The photo shows an aerial view of landing craft and American troops going ashore, specifically during the initial minutes of the invasion at Utah Beach. The codename for the invasion was Operation Overlord, which was the largest amphibious assault in military history. Over 156,000 Allied troops—American, British, and Canadian—landed along a 50-mile stretch of the French coastline to fight German forces. The successful landings marked the start of the campaign to liberate Western Europe from Nazi control.



Aerial oblique 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 photograph of the numerous Allied naval craft off Dog and Easy beaches, Omaha assault area, 6 June 1944. The photograph was taken from a Martin B-26 Marauder of the US Ninth Air Force while on a bombing mission to Avranches.

Aerial photo of the junction of King Red and King Green beaches, Gold 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.