To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landing on 6th June 2019, we bring you images showing the preparations for D-Day, troops landing on the French coast and combat scenes, all available for licensing from the Bridgeman archive.
Credit: A Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) approaching Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, 6th June 1944 (photo), Sargent, Robert F. (fl.1944) / Private Collection / © Galerie Bilderwelt
A turning point of World War II
After months of preparation, Allied troops landed on Normandy’s beaches in a secret operation that would prove to be one of the turning points of World War II.
Thanks to the brave men and women involved, the Allies gained a foothold in Western Europe, forcing the Axis powers to fight on a second European front, significantly weakening them.
Left: Bombs being loaded into a Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV for an attack on German tanks, Normandy, American Photographer
Right: Soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division with anti-aircraft guns on Juno Beach, Canadian Photographer
Land, sea and air operations
The D-Day landings were conducted in two stages: first through an airborne assault and later through naval landings. At the end of the 6th June 1944, 160,000 Allied soldiers had landed on the shores of the Normandy.
See all images of the D-Day landings and World War II in the Bridgeman archive.
Left: Soldiers of the United States Army boarding a Landing Craft Transport in Southern England, 30th May 1944 (photo), American Photographer, (20th century) / Portland, United Kingdom / © Galerie Bilderwelt
Right: Normandy landings : Armored Divisions of the French Army (equiped with American tanks Sherman M4-A3) with LST (Landing Ship Tank) on August 02, 1944 landing on Utah Beach (in Saint Martin de Vareville) in Normandy
Left: Normandy Landings, june 6, 1944 : american troops of the 4th Infantry Division landing on Utah Beach / Photo © Tallandier
Right: On a pebble beach at Omaha Beach, U.S. soldiers deal with injuries, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, 6th June 1944 (photo), American Photographer, (20th century) / © Galerie Bilderwelt
Footage – Your complete visual resource
In addition to our collection of images, Bridgeman also holds footage of the Normandy Invasion, including combat scenes, interviews with cameramen who saw events unfold as well as German and Allied preparations prior to the battle.
Find out more
See all images and footage material of the D-Day landings in the Bridgeman archive.
For further inspiration browse our World War I and World War II category on our website.