How D-Day Unfolded on June 6, 1944

How events unfolded on June 6, 1944.

Troops survey the rise of the Normandy shore as they prepare to land on June 6, 1944. (Courtesy U.S. Army Center for Military History)

0000: First airborne troops begin to land.

0100: First Navy hands ordered to man battle stations. Landing craft begin to be lowered into the water; paratroopers cut phone lines and knock down telephone poles.

0200: First bombers take off to attack targets around the beachhead.

0300: Gliders begin to reinforce paratroops.

0309: German radar detects Allied invasion fleet. Adm. Krancke orders shore batteries to prepare for invasion.

0348: German E-boat flotillas and two armed trawlers get under way.

0430: First P-47s take off.

0520: Sunrise. Bombers drop first bombs on German targets.

0535: German shore batteries open fire; Allied naval forces return fire.

0537: E-boats commanded by Adm. Kranche fire torpedoes at Allied destroyers.

0600: LCT launch their DD tanks.

0620: Allied landing craft approach the beach.

0630: H-Hour on Utah, Omaha Beach; LCT 535 lands the first tanks on Omaha; 116th and 16th Infantry land at Omaha; Higgins boats near the beach; 8th Infantry Regiment lands at Utah Beach.

0641: USS Corry forced to abandon ship due to heavy gunfire and mine damage.

0645: Rangers assault Point-du-Hoc; 70th Tank Battalion begins to land at Utah.

0725: H-Hour for Sword Beach; British 3rd Division begins to land.

0735: British UDT and Royal Engineers land at Gold Beach, followed by Infantry from the 50th Division.

0800: 3rd Canadian Division lands at Juno Beach.

0830: LCM, LCT and LSTs land armor at Omaha.

0900: 2nd Ranger Battalion soldiers take Point-du-Hoc and defend it for the rest of the day.

0950: Destroyers engage the enemy for at Omaha under orders of Adm. C.F. Bryant; 18th Infantry goes ashore at Omaha.

1030: 115th Infantry lands at Omaha.

1030: 12th Infantry lands at Utah.

1045: Utah fairly secure, reserve battalions coming ashore.

1100: 18th Infantry begins to land at Omaha.

1110: 101st and 4th divisions linkup on Utah securing the first exit from the beach.

1300: Troops at Omaha begin to secure the beach.

1600: Hitler finally gives approval to release Panzer divisions.

1800: Elements of the 3rd Canadian Div, North Nova Scotia Highlanders reach five kilometers inland. 1st Hussar tanks cross the Caen-Bayeux railway, fifteen kilometers inland. Canadian Scottish link up with the 50th Division at Creully.

1900: 1st Division commander, General Huebner sets up command post on Omaha.

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