'D-Day' Normandy Landings, 6 June 1944 (42410920432)

On 6 June 1944 a huge military machine embarked on the invasion of German-occupied France. Its target was the coast of Normandy. A vast armada of ships carried more than 130,000 men. Ahead of them, planes and gliders transported another 23,000. This was the biggest amphibious landing in history, and its aim was to end the war in Europe and bring victory to the Allies.

While no New Zealand military units landed on the beaches of Normandy, individual New Zealanders did. Other New Zealanders were on the ships and planes that carried troops to France on 6 June – D-Day – and in the months that followed. These young men served with the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy (RN) or Merchant Navy. Some were in charge of landing craft, vessels that carried troops and tanks to the invasion. Others were seamen or officers on battleships, destroyers or hospital ships. New Zealanders in the RAF were among the crews of Dakotas and gliders, which carried airborne troops. Other New Zealanders flew in fighters and bombers, sent out on operations in support of the landings.

More information about D-Day and New Zealand’s involvement can be found on NZ History: <a href="https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/d-day" rel="nofollow">nzhistory.govt.nz/war/d-day</a>

This map comes from a Secret military publication that was printed after the invasion and used for training and analysis. One of a series, it shows the landing force approaches, landing sites, and German defences.

Archives New Zealand reference: ABFK W3948 Box 7 - ‘Battle Summaries - Battle Summary No 39, Volume 1 - Operation 'Neptune' Landings in Normandy, June 1944’ <a href="https://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=160595" rel="nofollow">archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=160595</a>

For more information use our “ask an archivist” link on our website: <a href="https://www.archives.govt.nz" rel="nofollow">www.archives.govt.nz</a>

Material from Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga