Please select one of the following photo albums: Preparing for D-Day June 6, 1944: The Normandy Landings Featured Images All Photos on the Invasion of Normandy
In this fascinating compilation of interviews, both German and American veterans from World War II describe their experiences of warfare on Omaha Beach during D-Day. Franz Gockel and Bruno Plota were German soldiers responsible for shooting U.S. soldiers as they dispatched from their boats onto the beach. Plota says, “The … Continue reading
Paratrooper Julius Eisner, pathfinder for the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, describes his vital role during the Normandy Campaign on D-Day. Eisner explains that he and other pathfinders would parachute into Normandy and mark drop zones for other pilots. He describes all the chaos the operation entailed and the injury he … Continue reading
Warren E. Breniman was a U.S. Army staff sergeant and part of the 149th Engineering Combat Battalion that helped to invade Omaha Beach on D-Day. In this account, Breniman discusses the presidential citation his battalion received for their outstanding service during the invasion. He also talks about the obstacles that … Continue reading
Dan Farley, part of the U.S. Company “A” 5th Ranger Battalion that landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day. He explains what it was like to be in combat and describes bullets whizzing by his body, as well as the lesson he learned that saved his life many times.
Charles Sprowl, a veteran who served as an army technician in the U.S. First Unit Special Brigade, landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day with his unit. He describes the camaraderie that was created when landing on the beaches of Normandy during World War II. Sprowl explains that there was no … Continue reading
“I think adrenaline was such that you didn’t have the normal response to this kind of thing. You had an urgency…you had to start doing something and doing it quickly or you were in big trouble.” -Sergeant Bill Coleman Paratroopers of the Easy “E” Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th … Continue reading
Robert Baldridge, a corporal in the U.S. Army, describes what it was like to land on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 and the days following the Normandy Landings. Baldridge explains what happened during the Battle of Mortain all the way to the Battle of the Falaise Pocket: “There were … Continue reading
African-American soldiers reflect on the Normandy Invasion that took place on June 6, 1944. One veteran emotionally reacts to the cemetery that honors the Americans who fought on Omaha Beach at Pointe du Hoc hill. Allen Price describes being part of the 32 75th Quartermaster Company on D-Day: “Blood all … Continue reading
After hearing that decent weather may take place on the coasts of Normandy on June 6, 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower–Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War II and future U.S. President–made the momentous choice to begin the Allied Forces advance into Europe on June 5. This invasion was … Continue reading
