On the day of the invasion, American assault troops move onto Utah Beach as part of the Allied invasion of Europe on the northern coast of France on June 6, 1944.
Hitler's forces knew the invasion would come, and that it would be the decisive moment of the war. He just didn't know precisely when or where that attack would commence.
"This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that's the way it's going to be. We're going down there, and we're throwing everything we have into it, and we're going to make it a success."
Here are some of the tools the men carried on that historic day 70 years ago.
Soldiers from 89th Infantry Division, seen here ducking for cover as they cross the Rhine River in assault boats, 1945. The steel M1 helmet was the definitive head protection of the time.
The M1 Garand,officially designated as United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, was the standard issue semi-automatic rifle issues during WWII. Used also in the Korean War and even with limited use in Vietnam and up through 1963, Gen. George Patton called the weapon "the greatest battle implement ever devised."
Published:Caption:James MartinPhoto:Swedish Army Museum/Digital Museum
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M-1928 haver sack
The M-1928 haver sack infantry pack carried all the gear a soldier needed to survive in the field.
These trousers were worn by some assault troops, on the D-Day Normandy landing invasion, over their wool trousers and worn by themselves in the summer.
Published:Caption:James MartinPhoto:Soldier of Fortune
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HBT jacket
HBT jacket with 1st div patch on left sleeve, seen here during a WWII reenactment in 2010.
Cap, Wool, Knit, M-1941. Often called the "Jeep cap." The Jeep Cap was a wool knit hat to be worn underneath the heavy M-1 combat helmets, offering soldiers extra comfort with both padding and warmth.
