20+ Colorized Photos That Bring the Allied Landings on D-Day to Life

Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive /  Getty Images
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

On June 6, 1944, the Allies executed the largest amphibious invasion in history. Landing on five beaches and in various zones behind enemy lines, they managed to penetrate France and liberate the country from German occupation. Widely known as D-Day, or Operation Overlord, the event set the stage for the end of World War II in Europe.

Planning for the invasion began over a year in advance and required meticulous secrecy. The Allies engaged in a host of deceptive operations, including Operation Copperhead, to mislead the enemy. These were successful, allowing the landings to proceed with minimal resistance.

By late 1944 and early ’45, the Allies had advanced through France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, progressing toward the liberation of Europe.

Intense preparations

Two American soldiers inspecting an anti-aircraft gun while another reads a book
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

American troops preparing for D-Day, May 1944.

In the months leading up to the invasion, Allied troops assembled in the United Kingdom, frequently finding themselves with time on their hands. In this scene, soldiers are waiting alongside their M4 half-track personnel carriers; two are inspecting the gun, while another is absorbed in a book.

A lot of waiting and sitting around

American troops sitting in docked landing craft
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

American troops wait in their landing craft in Weymouth, United Kingdom, anticipating the start of the Normandy invasion. Weymouth was one of several launching points from which the Allied forces crossed the English Channel.

Crucial footage

Dale Elkins looking through a camera
Photo Credit: PhotoQuest / Getty Images

Capt. Dale Elkins, shown here, was the first man to capture photos of the D-Day landings. He had a specially-made camera that he used to take the crucial images.

Pointe du Hoc

Four members of the US Army Provisional Ranger Group sitting around a radio in a foxhole
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

Members of the US Army Provisional Ranger Group use their GN-45 hand crank generator to power their radio during the assault of Pointe du Hoc. They were tasked with capturing the lookout point, which served as a stronghold of German guns, after scaling the cliffs from the water below.

‘Into the Jaws of Death’

Members of Company E, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division wading through the water after exiting a landing craft
Photo Credit: Robert F. Sargent / Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images

This photo was taken by CPO. Robert F. Sargent of the US Coast Guard. Titled “Into the Jaws of Death,” it shows members of Company E, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division disembarking from a landing craft at Omaha Beach.

Most notably, this image was brought to life in 1998’s Saving Private Ryan.

Looking for Omaha Beach

Members of Company E, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division aboard a landing craft at sea
Photo Credit: Robert F. Sargent / Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Also taken by CPO. Sargent, this photo shows American soldiers with their weapons wrapped in Pliofilm. This material was used to prevent the rifles and guns from getting wet as the troops made their way to the landing beaches.

It’s believed these men were landing near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, one of the towns near Omaha Beach.

Landing craft lineup

American soldiers standing together in a landing craft, equipped with life vests
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

American soldiers aboard a landing craft as it approaches the landing beaches. Each can be seen wearing helmets and life vests, ready to disembark when they get close enough.

A little help from a friend

Nicholas Russin and members of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division arriving on a beach
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

American soldiers serving with the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division help their comrades out of the water and onto the beach. Their landing craft was sunk before they reached ground, forcing the soldiers to swim to their target. This can be seen as an omen for how D-Day would go for the regiment, as it suffered heavy casualties during the Allied landings.

The only identifiable soldier is Pfc. Nicholas Russin, third from the right.

American horsepower

American soldiers driving a Jeep through the water
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

These American soldiers were much better off than their comrades in the sunken landing craft. They charged through the water on a military Jeep, toward the Normandy shore.

A temporary harbor

Jeeps and military vehicles driving across Pontoon Bridge, toward Temporary Mulberry Harbor A
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

After successfully landing on the beaches, American troops established temporary, floating docks for the disembarkment of future vessels. Shown here are US vehicles traveling from Temporary Mulberry Harbor A to Omaha Beach, across Pontoon Bridge, on June 16, 1944.

Bring on the bombers

Eleven bomber aircraft in flight
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

It was important that ground troops be provided with air cover during the invasion. The 344th Bombardment Group (Medium), shown here, led the IX Bomber Command formation that did so. They bombed targets in the Falaise Gap, Saint-Lô, Caen and the Cotentin Peninsula.

Enter the Canadians

Members of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division walking across Juno Beach
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Men with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed in the Bernières-sur-Mer segment of Juno Beach. In this photo, they can be seen bringing various materials ashore from different landing craft.

Man the guns

Four members of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division manning a Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Soldiers with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division man a Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun as they keep a lookout for Luftwaffe aircraft. These men came ashore at Juno Beach on D-Day and established their encampment near Bernières-sur-Mer.

Asking for directions

Charles B. Lynch, Colin C. McDougall, George Stevens, Frank L. Dubervill, two unknown soldiers and French policemen standing beneath a monument dedicated to the dead from World War I
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

From left to right is Canadian war correspondent Charles B. Lynch; an unknown man in a black beret; Capt. Colin C. McDougall with the 21st Army Group; Lt. Col. George Stevens; Canadian photographer Lt. Frank L. Dubervill; and another unknown soldier looking over a map with the help of French policemen in the town of Creully.

The monument in the background was dedicated to the town’s dead from the First World War.

Letters from home

R.A Forbis, John Krisa and V.E. Holtz reading letters on a beach
Photo Credit: PhotoQuest / Getty Images

Sgt. R.A Forbis, Pvt. John Krisa and Cpl. V.E. Holtz of the US Army Corps of Engineers read letters just a few days after the D-Day landings.

A little rest

American paratroopers standing in the middle of a street
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

In need of a well-deserved rest, these American paratroopers rest during the Battle of Carentan, which lasted from June 6-13, 1944. The airborne troops were tasked with creating a single defensive line between Omaha and Utah Beaches.

Some of the men sit against the town buildings, while others congregate around a captured German military vehicle

Hose ‘er down

American soldiers standing around a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt that's on fire
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

An American soldier tries to extinguish the flames engulfing a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, which lies on the ground in the Cotentin Peninsula. The fighting in this region waged until June 20, 1944, as the Allies tried to gain control of the Port of Cherbourg.

Capture of Cherbourg

American troops leading German prisoners of war (POWs) down a street
Photo Credit: Glasshouse Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

The Americans had successfully captured Cherbourg by June 25, 1944. While they rounded up numerous German soldiers, they also suffered heavy losses of their own. It was the first French port liberated by the Americans and one of the most important targets following D-Day.

Here, American troops march some of the German prisoners of war (POWs) down the city’s streets.

Enemy prisoners of war (POWs)

German prisoners of war (POWs) standing behind barbed wire
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

During the invasion of Normandy, Allied soldiers took thousands of POWs. These German soldiers were all captured in June 1944 and placed in a makeshift camp behind barbed wire.

A visit from Winston Churchill and Bernard Montgomery

Winston Churchill and Bernard Montgomery standing in front of members of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
Photo Credit: E.G. Malindine / No. 5 Army Film and Photo Section, AFPU / Imperial War Museums / Getty Images

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Gen. Sir Bernard Montgomery inspect the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division in Caen. These men were one of two British divisions to land on Gold Beach on D-Day.

More men from the 50th earned Victoria Crosses during this operation than any other in the British Army during World War II.

Tending to the wounded

Nurses and doctors tending to wounded soldiers on the deck of a ship
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

After the immediate fighting on the landing beaches concluded, it was time for the Allies to tend to their wounded. This image shows a group of 15 injured soldiers on the deck of the ship being looked after by doctors and nurses.

Battle of Saint-Lô

Two children looking out over the remnants of Saint-Lô
Photo Credit: Galerie Bilderwelt / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Two children stand in the ruins of Saint-Lô in August 1944, just one of the many places where fighting took place in the months following D-Day. It was one of the three engagements that made up the Battle of the Hedgerows, and the Americans targeted the town, engaging German troops between July 7-19, 1944.

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Although the area was of strategic importance to the Allies, upwards of 95 percent of the city was destroyed. On top of this, many civilian and military casualties were suffered.

Rosemary Giles

Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her partner, her cats, and her horse, or sitting down to read a good book.

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