D-Day, June 6, 1944: Enduring Lessons from the Beaches of Operation OVERLORD
Reflections on World War II Leadership, Strategy and Sacrifice from the Allied landings on Normandy
Perhaps no other military operation in history is as widely recognized by the simple military planning term as “D-Day.” On June 6, 1944, now 81 years ago today, the largest and most complex multinational amphibious assault in history began the liberation of Western Europe after four years of Nazi occupation. D-Day united forces from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and other Allies in a shared fight against tyranny and endures today as a powerful symbol of sacrifice, freedom, and democratic unity.
Operation OVERLORD, commanded by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, involved 156,000 Allied troops, including 24,000 paratroopers, supported by 5,000 ships and 12,000 aircraft converging on a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast. The names of the landing beaches—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword —are forever etched in history as symbols of courage. By day’s end, over 4,400 Allied soldiers had lost their lives. OVERLORD opened the door to the final campaign that ended in the defeat of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.
Eighty-one years hence, D-Day remains the operation by which all other large military campaigns are measured. While the character of war continues to rapidly evolve with the introduction of new technologies and the emergence of space and cyber as contested domains, are there enduring lessons relevant to today’s warfighting? I believe there are. To me, D-Day is a reminder of the importance of unity of purpose in achieving a defined strategy, and the power of allies working together to plan and execute joint operations. Here are a few high-level insights I’ve drawn from the enduring lessons of Operation OVERLORD:
War Aims, Strategy and Priorities Matter. The road to Normandy was the result of over two and a half years of planning and coordination within the broader Allied strategy. From the outset of World War II, the liberation of Europe was the central strategic goal shaping not only the war in Europe but the entire Allied effort. In December 1941, just weeks after Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into the war, the Arcadia Conference was conviened in Washington. There, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed on a "Germany First" strategy, prioritizing the defeat of Germany over Japan. They also committed to a future cross-Channel invasion, though the details remained undefined.Every subsequent campaign had to be evaluated through the lens of how it advanced, or risked undermining, the overarching strategic objectives of Germany First and opening a second front on the continent. Operations that failed to contribute to those aims, or that consumed forces and materiel unnecessarily, threatened the success of the overall effort. Strategic coherence was an imperative. The U.S. pushed for an early direct invasion to relieve pressure on the Soviet Union, while the British initially preferred a peripheral approach (e.g., North Africa and Italy). It would take time for the U.S. to build, field, and move ships, planes, and an army along with supplies to the European theater for the pursuit of either strategy. The result was an evolved hybrid approach that preserved the ultimate objective of a cross-Channel invasion while adjusting to the realities of logistics and coalition priorities.
Strategic Decisions Shape Future Operational and Tactical Outcomes. On the Allied side, unity of effort in coalition warfare, decisive leadership, and the effective use of deception were essential to setting the conditions for success of the Normandy landings. General Eisenhower’s appointment as Supreme Allied Commander created a unified command structure. In my view, and that of many military historians, Eisenhower was uniquely suited to the role. He successfully navigated political sensitivities among the Allies and built an integrated multinational force focused on a shared goal. His leadership ensured coordination among U.S., British, Canadian, and Free French forces, which was essential for such a massive and complex operation. The Germans made critical strategic errors that contributed to their defeat. A central disagreement among German commanders involved whether to defend the coast directly (Rommel’s view) or to allow the Allies to land and then counterattack on more favorable ground inland. Hitler’s insistence on personally controlling reserve armored forces at the theater level delayed their deployment when they were most needed. The Allies, meanwhile, launched an elaborate deception campaign, Operation BODYGUARD, whose purpose was to convince German commanders that the main invasion would occur at the Pas de Calais or that Normandy was only a diversion.
Original caption: These American troops are marching through the streets of a British port town on their way to the docks where they will be loaded into landing craft for the big assault. (National Archives) Execution Determines Outcomes. Plans are essential, but success of military operations ultimately depends on individual leadership, decisions and tactical execution. Battlefield leadership, decentralized execution, innovation, resolve and courage matter. General Eisenhower’s choice to delay the invasion by 24 hours due to weather, followed by his decision to proceed on June 6, was pivotal. His readiness to accept full responsibility in the event of failure reflected both courage and integrity. Once the planning ended and the landings began, the outcome rested on the soldiers who stormed the beaches. Their collective tactical toughness and employment of innovative capabilities seized a foothold in Europe. D-Day is filled with remarkable examples of valor, and unit-level triumphs including Omaha Beach, Pegasus Bridge, Pointe du Hoc, and Juno Beach, where Canadian forces linked Sword and Gold beaches despite heavy resistance. Each of these, and other battles across the beaches of Normandy, contributed greatly to the success of Operation OVERLORD.
D-Day has inspired an extraordinary body of literature. It may be the most written-about single event in military history as it affected the outcome of the war, and by extension, the course of freedom in the modern world. Some books were written soon after capturing fresh details and first impressions, and others, more recently published, informed by wider sources and time, offer other views. All contribute value. The books we highlight here explore many facets of D-Day from the strategic context and road to June 6th, to the execution of the assault told by the voices of those that fought the battles, the campaign across Europe to victory in 1945, and thematic topics such as how armies fight in joint, coalition warfare. Each author offers a different perspective. No doubt there are many other books left off this list. No list is ever complete, so we welcome your suggestions and reflections on what to read and why.
Final thoughts. I had the privilege of attending the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994. In Southampton, where many of the Allied troops had departed in 1944, the British people were warm, welcoming, and proud of their nation’s role. On June 6, I was aboard the USS Wasp off the coast of Omaha Beach as part of a ceremonial recreation of the invasion armada. The weather that morning eerily mirrored the conditions of the original D-Day—low clouds, mist, light rain, and limited visibility. I was fortunate to walk the ground at Arromanches, Omaha Beach, Colleville-Sur-Mer, Sainte-Mère-Église, Pointe du Hoc, and Cherbourg. At Arromanches and at the U.S. cemetery above Omaha Beach, I saw many veterans who had returned one more time. Some wore their medals; a few others still wore their uniforms. All had come to remember. It was powerful then, and it is even more meaningful to me now, more than 30 years later.
Today, very few World War II veterans remain, and even fewer who were at Normandy. Their numbers are quickly fading. As we commemorate D-Day, we should also reflect on its enduring lessons and how they might guide us in facing the future. To ignore those lessons would be to forget what was purchased at such a high cost.
The Longest Day: D-Day June 6, 1944
by Cornelius Ryan, Simon & Schuster (1959), softcover, 352 pages
Ryan's seminal work offers a superbly readable, comprehensive primer of D-Day, drawing from extensive interviews with Allied and German participants. The book captures the human experiences and strategic complexities of the Normandy invasion, providing a panoramic view of the events that unfolded on that pivotal day.
The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe 1944-1945
by Rick Atkinson, Henry Holt and Co., (2013), hardcover, 877 pages
The final installment of Atkinson's Liberation Trilogy, covering the Allied campaign in Western Europe from D-Day to Germany's surrender. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Atkinson details the strategic decisions, battlefield experiences, and leadership challenges that defined the final year of World War II in Europe.
Six Armies of Normandy
by John Keegan, Viking Press (1982), hardcover, 365 pages
Keegan analyzes the contributions and experiences of six national armies—American, British, Canadian, German, Polish, and French—during the Normandy campaign. The book offers insights into the operational challenges and inter-allied dynamics that shaped the liberation of France, emphasizing the complexity of coalition warfare.
Eisenhower’s Lieutenants
by Russell Weigley, Indiana University Press (1981), hardcover, 832 pages
One of the best books on D-Day. Weigley provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. Army's leadership and operations in the European Theater from Normandy to Germany's defeat. Weigley examines the strategies, command structures, equipment, and battlefield decisions that contributed to the Allied victory, highlighting the roles of key American generals under Eisenhower's command.
Slightly Out of Focus
by Robert Capa, Henry Holt publishing (1947), softcover, 243 pages
In this memoir, renowned war photographer Robert Capa recounts his experiences covering World War II, including his iconic images from D-Day on Omaha Beach. Blending humor and poignancy, Capa offers a personal perspective on the life of a combat photographer and the realities of war.
Nothing Less Than Victory: The Oral History of D-Day
by Russell Miller, Harper Perennial (1998), softcover, 560 pages
Miller compiles firsthand accounts from soldiers, officers, and civilians who experienced D-Day, presenting a multifaceted oral history of the invasion. The book presents “the authentic story of D-Day as it has never been told before -- entirely by those who took part, on both sides. It is compiled...from letters home, diaries, memoranda, official reports, and innumerable interviews with veterans in the United States, Canada, France, and Germany." The narratives provide intimate insights into the fears, challenges, and triumphs faced during the operation, capturing the human dimension of this historic event.
D-Day: Piercing the Atlantic Wall
by Robert Kershaw, Naval Institute Press (1994), hardcover, 254 pages
Kershaw offers a detailed account of the Normandy landings, emphasizing the German perspective and the challenges faced by both sides. Utilizing firsthand testimonies and lesser-known sources, the book provides a nuanced analysis of the tactical and human elements involved in breaching Hitler's Atlantic Wall.
Pegasus Bridge
by Stephen E. Ambrose, Simon & Schuster (1985), softcover, 176 pages
Ambrose narrates the daring mission of British airborne troops, Major Howard and D Company of the Ox and Bucks, the first unit to go into action on D-Day, who captured the Pegasus Bridge, a crucial objective for the success of the Normandy invasion. Through detailed research and interviews, the book highlights the bravery and precision of the operation's participants. Also by Ambrose, and a personal favorite of mine is The Victors: Eisenhower and His Boys: The Men of World War II, offering an easy reading, engaging narrative from D-Day to the breakout and campaign across Europe.
DOG Company: The Boys of Pointe du Hoc
by Patrick K. O'Donnell, Da Capo Press (2012), softcover, 288 pages
O'Donnell chronicles the exploits of the U.S. Army Second Rangers Battalion’s Dog Company, focusing on their assault on Pointe du Hoc during D-Day and subsequent battles across Europe. Drawing from personal interviews and records, the book offers an intimate portrayal of the soldiers' courage and camaraderie.
Omaha Beach: D-Day June 6, 1944
by Joseph Balkoski, Stackpole Books (2004), hardcover, 432 pages
Balkoski provides a comprehensive and definitive account of the Omaha Beach landings, detailing the planning, execution, and aftermath of one of D-Day's most challenging assaults. The book combines in-depth research with personal testimony by the soldiers who fought there to depict the intensity of the battle and the heroism of the troops involved. In this unforgettable narrative of D-Day, Balkoski describes the minute-by-minute combat as it unfolded on Omaha Beach.
Forgotten Voices of D-Day: D-Day June 6, 1944
by Roderick Bailey, Ebury Press (2004), hardcover, 400 pages
Bailey compiles a collection of personal testimonies from British servicemen and women who participated in D-Day, drawn from the Imperial War Museum's archives. These firsthand accounts offer diverse perspectives on the invasion from British servicemen and Commando troops, shedding light on the experiences of those often overlooked in traditional narratives.
Tags: World War II, Air Power, Naval Power, Ground Combat, Operations, Book Summaries
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In addition to John Keegan's treatment, a useful addition would be Invasion-They're Coming, The German Account of the Allied Landings and the 80 Days Battle for France, by Paul Carell (translated from the German by E. Osers).
I really appreciate the effort and depth here and am saving this for future reference. From a C4ISR and Indo-Pacific analysis perspective, the lessons are stark. Operation BODYGUARD was a masterclass in information warfare, and Eisenhower’s unified command highlights the immense C2 challenge of integrating a combined force against a defended shore. Breaching the Atlantic Wall was the A2/AD problem of its day, and these enduring strategic lessons on deception and command are more relevant than ever for any potential contingency in the Pacific today. https://ordersandobservations.substack.com/