Jack of Harts

Eighty years ago today, Americans took Utah and Omaha Beaches, while our British allies took Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches in Normandy. Our Airborne paratroopers, many of whom landed the night before, held more positions, including the bridges over the Orne River. When German armored troops moved to counterattack, Allied aircraft destroyed many and forced the others to retreat until nightfall. And Allied forces landed behind German lines using long range gliders. Operation Overlord’s victory was tenuous, but they had secured the beaches and more troops breached Fortress Europe’s defenses on an hourly basis.