The landings commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944. In planning, as for most Allied operations, the term D-Day was used for the day of the actual landing, which was dependent on final approval.
The landings were conducted in two phases: An airborne assault landing of 24,000 British, American and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight, and an amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armoured divisions on the coast of France starting at 6:30 am.
A lot of weapons were used that day, along with many Shrapnel shells, an anti-personnel artillery munition used until World War II.
Ever since D-Day, as much as four percent of the sand on the beaches of Normandy consists of shrapnel left over from D-Day!
When you visit Normandy, now you’ll now you’ll be walking on history if you decide to go to their beach!
