Crossing the Channel on D-Day

On June 6, 1944, American, British and Canadian troops landed on the Normandy coast. Their arrival depended on an enormous preparation of ships, aircraft, supplies and intelligence. Operation Overlord required many separate forces to act together across the Channel, beyond what any individual participant could see.

The weather had complicated the final decision. On June 5, Dwight Eisenhower faced a choice between proceeding with the available forecast and postponing the invasion again. Months of planning could reduce uncertainty, but could not remove it. The operation still depended on a judgment made before anyone knew the outcome.