The Battle for Normandy – Amazing Images from the battlefields

American Soldier crosses the road, covered by an M5A1 stuart tank, note the hedgerow clipping device on the front of the tank.
American Soldier crosses the road, covered by an M5A1 stuart tank, note the hedgerow clipping device on the front of the tank.

71 years ago the Allies were fighting in Normandy to expand the still tenuous bridgehead around their landing beaches. Here are some amazing pictures from the period after the landing and before the breakout and race across France!

Members of a Chemical unit get ready to fire high explosive mortar shells at a german pillbox. Les Dunes de Varredelle, France. 10/06/44

Near the church of Rots , 2 knocked out Sherman and a jeep ambulance. The tanks were destroyed on June 11, 1944 by the Panther 4. Kp , SS- Panzer -Regiment 12, 12. SS Panzer Division ” HJ ”

Combat engineers dig out this caterpillar bulldozer which became stuck in a muddy bomb crater while clearing off a road north of Marigny. 27/07/44

Destroyed Panther tank

Two soldiers near tent, in woods. Foreground: bottle of wine, bread, book. U.S. Army Pictorial Service. The bottle has the look of champagne.

Line of Army vehicles driving through rubble from behind.

July 29th, soldiers march to the front, covered by a heavy watercooled machine gun mounted on a half track.

Combat Command B of the 4th Armored division liberate Avranches on July 31st 1944

St Malo, US Soldiers man a 3inch anti tank gun

Four soldiers taking cover on road next to building, in the background a Dodge WC51

August 8th, Soldiers of the 33 Infantry Regiment, 83rd Division in Saint Malo

Americans in the ruins of Cherbourg

Soldiers of the 101st Airborne in the streets of Carentan, June 12-14th

Operations Room of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, near Creully, France, 14 June 1944.

Tank crew takes cover below a M10 Tank Destroyer

American Soldier crosses the road, covered by an M5A1 stuart tank, note the hedgerow clipping device on the front of the tank.

Joris Nieuwint

Joris Nieuwint is a battlefield guide for the Operation Market Garden area. His primary focus is on the Allied operations from September 17th, 1944 onwards. Having lived in the Market Garden area for 25 years, he has been studying the events for nearly as long. He has a deep understanding of the history and a passion for sharing the stories of the men who are no longer with us.

@joris1944 facebook.com/joris.nieuwint