DDay

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D-Day

  • D-Day

    It was one of the largest amphibious landings in history. On 6 June 1944 a huge Allied military machine embarked on the invasion of German-occupied France. Thousands of New Zealand sailors and airmen were on active duty that day.

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  • Page 2 – The grand plan

    The plans for the Allied invasion of France were conducted in great secrecy and over several months.

  • Page 3 – Supporting acts

    Massive supporting actions, including a complex plan designed to fool the Germans, assisted the landings at Normandy.

  • Page 4 – The build-up to D-Day

    In the weeks before D-Day, the Royal Air Force prepared occupied territory in Europe for the invasion of ground forces and attacked strategic targets such as railway lines,

  • Page 5 – The Normandy landings

    The Allied landings on Normandy beaches began early in the morning of 6 June 1944. The operation had been postponed due to bad weather, so, by the time they sailed,

  • Page 6 – New Zealanders at sea

    By 1944 more than 4700 New Zealanders were based in the United Kingdom and were serving in Royal Navy ships.

  • Page 7 – New Zealanders in the air

    By 1944 more than 6000 New Zealanders were based in the United Kingdom, serving in the RAF.

  • Page 8 – The battle for Europe

    The landings on 6 June 1944 were just the first part in a sustained campaign to break the war in Europe. For months after D-Day, planes flew over European cities, and the

  • Page 9 – The French Resistance

    Members of the French Resistance risked their lives in helping New Zealanders to safety.

  • Page 10 – Further information

    This web feature was written by Alison Parr and produced by the NZHistory.net.nz team.LinksAerial photographs of the beaches and other sites of battle are provided.The BBC's