There were five beaches code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword and Juno. US forces landed at Utah and Omaha beaches. British and Canadian forces landed at Gold, Sword and Juno beaches. The British built a massive harbor and set it up in the harbor of the French city of Arromanche (Gold Beach) and part of it survives today. The toughest beach landing was for the US forces at Omaha beach, as depicted in the movie "Saving Private Ryan." Because of the terrain and the fact that most of the German defensive fortifications were missed in the pre-invasion bombing, the US forces at Omaha took several thousand casualties.

The allied air forces and navies supported the invasion with bombing support, transportation and supplies. Also British and American paratroopers jumped in the night before to provide crucial support for the invasion and to knock out some key targets to make the move inland easier and better. Also US Rangers launched a daring attack on Pointe-du-Hoc to knock out key German gun emplacements that threatened both Utah and Omaha beaches.

The Germans did offer fierce resistance with their "Atlantic Wall" defenses and armor divisions sent as reinforcements. Fortunately for the allies, Hitler thought the invasion at Normandy was a ruse and that the real invasion would be at Calais. Therefore the Germans kept many of their best divisions and units in reserve or located in the Calais area, which made it easier for the allies to not only establish a beachhead, but also to move inland. Despite many problems, mistakes and challenges, the allies prevailed and started their march toward Berlin and eventual victory in Europe.