D-DAY, ALLIES INVADE EUROPE

On June 6, 1944, allied forces stormed ashore the Normandy beach in northern France. Code named "Operation Overlord" it was the largest invasion fleet in history, consisting of more than 150,000 British, Canadian, and U.S. troops. However, the Germans, expecting the attack, had fortified the Normandy coast. They constructed underwater obstacles, bombproof bunkers and minefields to thwart the attack.

With their superior air power, the allied forces quickly captured the key territories of Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches and consolidated their position. The invasion was the beginning of a massive allied push eastward, through France and into the heart of Nazi Germany. The advance ended with the occupation of Germany in March-April, 1945.

This clip is an eyewitness report of the invasion from Edward R Murrow of CBS news. Throughout World War Two Murrow gave numerous first-hand accounts of the war effort in Europe.

Click on the headphones to hear the report.

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