As a result of the disaster at Dieppe, the Allies' preparations for what would become the greatest seaborne invasion of all time were extensive. The plan for D-Day was to target an 80 kilometre stretch of the mostly flat, sandy coast of Normandy, France. The Allies knew that the element of surprise was crucial for a well-executed attack, and although German soldiers knew there was an impending invasion, they did not know where it would occur.
The Allies created a diversion and led the Germans to think that the attack would take place at Calais, Italy, by installing fake air bases and tanks nearby. Because of this, Germany reinforced the surrounding area while Allied troops were assembling farther west.
The Allies created a diversion and led the Germans to think that the attack would take place at Calais, Italy, by installing fake air bases and tanks nearby. Because of this, Germany reinforced the surrounding area while Allied troops were assembling farther west.
D-Day:Since Dieppe, the Allies had drastically upgraded their naval and air support techniques, along with many technological advances that improved their communication and landing strategies. Once they were confident that they were ready, Allied leaders chose June 5th, 1944 as the day that "Operation Overlord" would be launched, but due to poor weather, the invasion was delayed for one day. Finally, on the morning of June 6th, boats began taking nearly 150,000 soldiers from the Canadian, British, and American armies, and delivering the troops in their specific regions on the beach of Normandy, France. Due to the extensive use of mock preparation by the Allies at Calais, the German soldiers were taken almost completely by surprise. Once Adolf Hitler, Germany's tyrannical dictator, was informed of the battle, he became very worried. Germany was now fighting on more than one front.
Juno Beach: The 14,000 Canadian soldiers that participated in D-Day were allocated with the task of taking over the part of the beach code-named "Juno". Bomber and Spitfire planes from the Canadian Air Force were stationed above the soldiers on the ground to provide support and cover fire, but within the first hour of the attack, more than half of the participating Canadian troops were killed by the strong German defences. Although it was a very bloody dispute, Juno Beach was nonetheless one of the easier areas for the Allies to capture. By noon, the remaining Canadians were on the beach, and were the first amongst the other Allied countries to occupy their designated sectors.